Luggage transfers to albergues without room reservation

[DankeL]

Hi,
As we know, some albergues do not take bed reservations, as it's a first come, first served basis. Question, is it permissible to have a luggage transfer deliver to said albergue, and if there's no bed, pick up bags to go elsewhere? Or do lodging managers/owners, be it albergues, pensions, etc only accept bags when the bag owner is registered for a night?

 

[trecile]

Hi,
As we know, some albergues do not take bed reservations, as it's a first come, first served basis. Question, is it permissible to have a luggage transfer deliver to said albergue, and if there's no bed, pick up bags to go elsewhere? Or do lodging managers/owners, be it albergues, pensions, etc only accept bags when the bag owner is registered for a night?

It's usually only municipal, parochial and donativo albergues that don't accept reservations (not all of this type, but most). Many of these same albergues also don't accept transferred backpacks. But if they do, they will probably accept yours, then if there is no room you can pick it up and find another place to stay.

Consider though that if there are no more beds available in that town that means that you will be carrying your backpack to the next town.

It seems to me the easiest thing to do when having your pack transported is to make reservations.

 

[Former member 49149]

Fact, for Zabaldika early on CF: bags are accepted. Reservations not allowed. If there is a bed left of the 18 beds, it's yours. If not, 3km to the next albergue. As has been explained above.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Also, if you arrive and there are no beds available at the munis, taxi's are usually available all along the Camino Frances to take you and your luggage to the next town. I saw many advertising flyers with their phone numbers in bars and also nailed to trees periodically along the way.

 

[dick bird]

The transfer company will usually know if the albergue you want to send the bag to accepts transported luggage or not. You could also call the albergue and check. In many cases there is a nearby bar or cafe that accepts delivered bags. Even if the albergue does accept bags, it may be closed when the van turns up.

Not only that, it can create a problem for municipales, paroquiales, donativos etc. The hospitaleros work hard and it is an extra burden if they have to wait around for bags to be delivered, not to mention the issue of taking responsibility for other people's property. Better to check first unless you have a reservation at a private albergue.

 

[AnaFernandez]

In some albergues if you pay 2 or 3 euros you can send it there even with no room but it is needed to ask in advance to ask them

 

[DankeL]

Thank you All for your responses. Much appreciated.

 

[David with new Kit!]

Thank you All for your responses. Much appreciated.

The Correos website will show you which accommodations they collect/deliver too. Just enter start/end location to get the accommodation list appear.

Our accommodation in Soto de Luiña was not on the list but the Albergue was. We approached the albergue and asked if we could drop our rucksacks off in the morning to be collected.

They refused as we were not staying there.

So, as above, for baggage transfer it's best to have accommodation booked in advance

 

[RRat]

Hi,
As we know, some albergues do not take bed reservations, as it's a first come, first served basis. Question, is it permissible to have a luggage transfer deliver to said albergue, and if there's no bed, pick up bags to go elsewhere? Or do lodging managers/owners, be it albergues, pensions, etc only accept bags when the bag owner is registered for a night?

The bags are not accepted. They're just tucked into a corner.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I think it's abusing the hospitality of a place to send your bag there if you don't intend to stay, especially if the people there are volunteers. The albergue makes no money from this service, and the hospis often end up having to shift the heavy bags around -- not their job, not their responsibility. Even more of a slap when it's a suitcase!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I think it's abusing the hospitality of a place to send your bag there if you don't intend to stay, especially if the people there are volunteers. The albergue makes no money from this service, and the hospis often end up having to shift the heavy bags around -- not their job, not their responsibility. Even more of a slap when it's a suitcase!

Agree! It seems the bag companies should know which lodgings do and don't accept luggage and backpacks, and let their clients know it is not an option. I wonder if they provide an online list of options.
It seems rude to expect and assume "favors" of this type if you are not staying at those properties.

 

[Sidknee]

Agree! It seems the bag companies should know which lodgings do and don't accept luggage and backpacks, and let their clients know it is not an option. I wonder if they provide an online list of options.
It seems rude to expect and assume "favors" of this type if you are not staying at those properties.

Agree, but given you fill the envelope details out, insert your euros and attach to your mochila as you leave the albergue each day, I’m not sure how the courier companies would be able to control where people want their bags dropped to. As mentioned above if you jump on to their website most will say where they will drop bags off at.

Interestingly some of the Municipals accept bag drop offs(e.g. Villafranca del Bierzo - where we are today).

You’ll just need to do some research as you go. With wifi available it’s a reasonably easy task. Most albergues are contactable by phone or WhatsApp, additionally the albergue volunteers are always a good source of intel on the towns in the next stage.

Buen Camino

 

[Wanderingfriend]

Also, if you arrive and there are no beds available at the munis, taxi's are usually available all along the Camino Frances to take you and your luggage to the next town. I saw many advertising flyers with their phone numbers in bars and also nailed to trees periodically along the way.

There are many places with no taxis, so I wouldn’t count on that. Make sure you can carry all of your belongings comfortably.