Buy packing (post) tube in Santiago? Or send suitcase ahead?

[Joanne P]

Just needing some advice please ....

How easy would it be to find/buy one of those cardboard packing tubes in Santiago? (to send hiking poles home as check luggage)

OR, would I be better off sending a small suitcase from SJPDP to Santiago? Any idea what this would cost either by post, or one of those private transport companies?

The current plan is: 4 sets of hiking poles will be sent from Australia to SJPDP in a small suitcase as checked luggage. We are happy to dispose of the case in SJPDP if we are confident we can easily buy packing tubes in Santiago for the trip home. However, if it's not too expensive to get that case from SJPDP to Santiago, I think I would prefer to do that (a case is less likely to go astray in transit than a small packing tube .... I'm rather fond of my hiking poles and would hate to lose them)

 

[trecile]

Just needing some advice please ....

How easy would it be to find/buy one of those cardboard packing tubes in Santiago? (to send hiking poles home as check luggage)

OR, would I be better off sending a small suitcase from SJPDP to Santiago? Any idea what this would cost either by post, or one of those private transport companies?

The current plan is: 4 sets of hiking poles will be sent from Australia to SJPDP in a small suitcase as checked luggage. We are happy to dispose of the case in SJPDP if we are confident we can easily buy packing tubes in Santiago for the trip home. However, if it's not too expensive to get that case from SJPDP to Santiago, I think I would prefer to do that (a case is less likely to go astray in transit than a small packing tube .... I'm rather fond of my hiking poles and would hate to lose them)

You could probably buy a cheap duffel bag or suitcase for sending them home if you can't find a tube.

 

[C clearly]

This is not complicated, so don't make it so! You can get a cardboard box and a roll of packing tape in Santiago, to pack up your poles for shipping home. They don't have to be in a Samsonite suitcase!

 

[Kiwi-family]

We picked up a box off the side of the road and wrapped the poles in that, secured with tape from the euro store.
It seems boxes get put out every evening.
We also scavenged polystyrene boxes from the fishmonger and vegetable seller to send home cheese!

 

[natefaith]

Hi Joanne,
No packing tubes around Santiago, unfortunately. Other pilgrims have searched all over and been unable to find any. So the other advice above is solid .

Buen Camino!
Faith

 

[Viva Terlingua]

It seems like you have about a 75% chance of passing through security with them as part of your carry on. Why not try that?

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi Joanne,
No packing tubes around Santiago, unfortunately. Other pilgrims have searched all over and been unable to find any. So the other advice above is solid .

Buen Camino!
Faith

Hi, Faith,
I have a memory of having found a packing tube years ago in some sort of architectural supplies store. I now just stick them inside my backpack and check my pack form Santiago, but years ago I used to check them separately on the return. Architects and engineers use those tubes all the time. Maybe this is a good outing for one of your many delightful interns if they aren't all back in school! Or just ask an architect or an engineer where they get theirs.

 

[C clearly]

It seems like you have about a 75% chance of passing through security with them as part of your carry on. Why not try that?

The question relates to how to transport the poles home from Santiago. They have a ZERO percent chance of passing through security with them when boarding a flight from Santiago. There is a good chance of being able to carry them on other flights, but not from Santiago airport.

 

[natefaith]

Hi, Faith,
I have a memory of having found a packing tube years ago in some sort of architectural supplies store. I now just stick them inside my backpack and check my pack form Santiago, but years ago I used to check them separately on the return. Architects and engineers use those tubes all the time. Maybe this is a good outing for one of your many delightful interns if they aren't all back in school! Or just ask an architect or an engineer where they get theirs.

Oh, good advice, Laurie! Ok, we'll try that.

 

[HedaP]

I looked into sending a suitcase from SJPdP to be stored at SdC and from memory it was around AU$100. Instead I bought a suitcase from Carrefour in Santiago on special for around 25€. That suitcase is now sitting patiently waiting for my next trip back to Spain where it will find a new owner and I’ll buy another one to get home when the time is right. It is not a total indulgence. Well maybe it is but it does get used in between caminos. It’s not long come back from a 10 trip to China.

 

[Joanne P]

I looked into sending a suitcase from SJPdP to be stored at SdC and from memory it was around AU$100. Instead I bought a suitcase from Carrefour in Santiago on special for around 25€. That suitcase is now sitting patiently waiting for my next trip back to Spain where it will find a new owner and I’ll buy another one to get home when the time is right. It is not a total indulgence. Well maybe it is but it does get used in between caminos. It’s not long come back from a 10 trip to China.

Thanks HedaP - very helpful reply - exactly what I needed to know. I will happily leave the case in SJPDP, and find a box or cheap case in Santiago to send the poles home (or put them in the backpacks if they fit and check the packs in as luggage).
Cheers
Jo

 

[Joanne P]

We picked up a box off the side of the road and wrapped the poles in that, secured with tape from the euro store.
It seems boxes get put out every evening.
We also scavenged polystyrene boxes from the fishmonger and vegetable seller to send home cheese!

Great, thank you!

 

[Kiwi-family]

Great, thank you!

De nada!

 

[Joanne P]

This is not complicated, so don't make it so! You can get a cardboard box and a roll of packing tape in Santiago, to pack up your poles for shipping home. They don't have to be in a Samsonite suitcase!

Thanks, that's all I was asking really ..... if it was going to be easy to get a tube or box in Santiago.
Nothing too complicated about that