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Checking Luggage

Bob Hummel

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
April 2017
Hello All!
My plan is to put my backpack, along with other items for my Son and family, into a large suitcase and check it.
Then I intend to leave the suitcase at my Son's apartment in Paris, and go on from there with my backpack only.
I am curious to know what most of you have done regarding checking your backpack vs. carrying it on the plane.
Thanks!
Bob
 
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I have tried it both ways. You need to be careful with the measurement of your pack if you are planning to carry it onto the plane though. Airlines are becoming increasingly stricter about carry ons. For our first Camino we left home with only our backpacks. Last year, we put both backpacks into a large bag and checked it. We wanted to take poles which couldn't go in carry on luggage. Then we used the bag to send ahead with a baggage transport company the things we didn't need every day.
 
On outbound, if I'm checking my bag, I try to stick with non-stop flights and get to the airport in plenty of time for my bag to make it onto the plane. If non-stop is not possible, then I try to limit the number of connections and will not book a connection that is less than an hour. On the inbound, where I'm going home, I'm more flexible as a misplaced bag isn't as critical.
 
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I've done both, but if you have somewhere to stow the suitcase in Paris and from there travel on down to the Camino, I'd do the checked baggage bit. That sounds like a good plan you have there.
 
Last year I carried on my backpack, minus poles, which I packed in a suitcase along with my pre and post Camino clothes, that I checked. I was able to leave it with a friend in Madrid.
 

I travelled to Lisbon with a checked suitcase that was large enough for pack and poles. In Lisbon I removed pack and poles and sent via inexpensive courier the almost-empty bag to Santiago to Ivar (storage service available in this forum). Ivar confirmed receipt by email next day. In that large suitcase were a couple of pieces of warmer clothing, much appreciated on my arrival. Lisbon was 39.9 degrees when I departed. The final morning into Santiago was 6 degrees. I was wearing my extra socks as mittens! But oh my pack was light!
 
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