Luggage transfers to AirBnB's

F

Former member 106609

Guest

• Feb 15, 2023

• #1

Hi there
We are 3 women planning on walking from Porto to SDC. My travel buddies want to book AirBnB's and book transfers through one of the transfer companies. I'd prefer to book through a group where everything is pre-organised. Whats better? I'm concerned that our luggage will get delivered to an AirBnB and get left and is then stolen. I really want this trip to be a spiritual journey and not be worried about my luggage being stolen the entire time. Am i worrying needlessly? Whats the better way of doing this?
Thanks so much
Tori

 

naplesdon

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Multiple Caminos 2010 to 2019

• Feb 15, 2023

• #2

It sounds like you have some experience regarding how AirBnB's operate. I would be worried unless I had a very clear understanding from the owner that they had a way to accept your luggage securely, either at a nearby cafe or restaurant before I made any arrangement to rent from them. I had an AirBnB stay in Le Puy several years ago and got there to find it had been broken into and quite a few of the doors inside smashed open including the security mechanism at the front door.

 

Vacajoe

Traded in my work boots for hiking ones

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances, Portuguese, Aragon, Norte, SJWayUK, Nive

• Feb 15, 2023

• #3

While theft is rare, it happens. I would be very hesitant to have my belongings left outside in a random neighborhood for an unknown amount of time.

Additionally, luggage transfer companies usually have designated pickup/drop-off places in each city, so finding one that is willing to detour to your specific AirBnB will be a challenge. You could always carry your luggage to the pickup point in the morning and then retrieve it from the drop-off site once you arrive in the next town, but some accommodations will not accept luggage if you are not staying there. You could also simply hire a taxi every morning to move your luggage to the next town, but once again you will be leaving it unmonitored and subject to theft.

 

Kanga

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés x 5, Le Puy x 2, Arles, Tours, Norte, Madrid, Via de la Plata, Portuguese, Primitivo

• Feb 15, 2023

• #4

Luggage deliveries need to go to places where there is someone to receive them. I think you would have to make arrangements with each AirBnB host.

 

John Sikora

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2021

• Feb 15, 2023

• #5

I have had some problems with getting anything to an AirBnb. The issue (as expressed above) is that usually there is a requirement that someone is there to receive it. Most AirBnb are going more and more to an electronic or unattended checkin. I ended up not doing it in most cases. You can check with the host in advance. Sometimes they live nearby and are willing to receive the shipment but it's pretty hit or miss. I know this is not the answer you are looking for, but for the price difference, in many cases, a hotel is not that much more than an AirBnb and they usually have someone in attendance.

 

MaxHelado

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Portugués via Variante Espiritual 2022

• Feb 15, 2023

• #6

toricon261 said:

Hi there
We are 3 women planning on walking from Porto to SDC. My travel buddies want to book AirBnB's and book transfers through one of the transfer companies. I'd prefer to book through a group where everything is pre-organised. Whats better? I'm concerned that our luggage will get delivered to an AirBnB and get left and is then stolen. I really want this trip to be a spiritual journey and not be worried about my luggage being stolen the entire time. Am i worrying needlessly? Whats the better way of doing this?
Thanks so much
Tori

Click to expand...

Baggage transfer and AirBnB is not an easy mix for the reasons others have given. But why AirBnb anyway? My limited experience of AirBnB tells me that it is not a cheap alternative unless you are staying more than a couple of nights (cleaning costs tend to be fixed). And an "everything is pre-booked" package is not the only alternative but is another relatively expensive way of travelling.
Why not stay in albergues or hotels and have your baggage safely delivered there?
And you might consider popping an AirTag or two into the cases. Great piece of mind as you walk to see that your bag(s) have been collected and delivered.