Sending bag to Ivar in Santiago

Bradypus said:

There is no post office in Rabanal - it is a small village. Google says that the Astorga post office is open 5 days per week.
View attachment 147260

Click to expand...

LoWo said:

In my experience being here, no Correos office will be open on the weekend.

You might have to post your extra stuff along the way with you through a daily luggage transfer service (there are a couple options including Correos) for a day or two until you can ship it to Santiago. This could also be a nice way to start walking: carry less stuff while you already have to pay for the paq mochilla.

Another suggestion is to not bring anything that you will need to ship/store while you walk. In my experience and in reading about others’, backpacks (even ones that don’t technically fit the carry on size specs) are allowed onto the plane with you. If you’re flying in just for the camino and are going right home afterwards, it could be a good chance to try traveling only with a carry on.

Granted…this is coming from someone who brought an extra suitcase that I shipped to Casa Ivar (mostly for poles but also a few extra clothes) and STILL had to mail TWO more packages along the way in order to cut weight while walking. In the future I will be more diligent about knowing exactly how much my pack will weigh and practice wearing it totally full before I go. Training walks with a different configuration of stuff didn’t cut it for me and I didn’t weigh everything that I ultimately packed so I initially had way too much.

Click to expand...

LoWo said:

In my experience being here, no Correos office will be open on the weekend.

You might have to post your extra stuff along the way with you through a daily luggage transfer service (there are a couple options including Correos) for a day or two until you can ship it to Santiago. This could also be a nice way to start walking: carry less stuff while you already have to pay for the paq mochilla.

Another suggestion is to not bring anything that you will need to ship/store while you walk. In my experience and in reading about others’, backpacks (even ones that don’t technically fit the carry on size specs) are allowed onto the plane with you. If you’re flying in just for the camino and are going right home afterwards, it could be a good chance to try traveling only with a carry on.

Granted…this is coming from someone who brought an extra suitcase that I shipped to Casa Ivar (mostly for poles but also a few extra clothes) and STILL had to mail TWO more packages along the way in order to cut weight while walking. In the future I will be more diligent about knowing exactly how much my pack will weigh and practice wearing it totally full before I go. Training walks with a different configuration of stuff didn’t cut it for me and I didn’t weigh everything that I ultimately packed so I initially had way too much.

Click to expand...

LoWo said:

It’s called paq mochilla at el camino con correos . com and you cam reserve it online before you leave home (and print the corresponding paper).

If you’re on the Frances, there are also other private options but I forget what they are called. You can probably search “luggage transfer” on the forum and find some helpful threads about the options. Also usually albergue hosts are willing to help you arrange the easiest option once you arrive as long as it’s not a municipal and you’re there before 8:00pm.

Click to expand...

LoWo said:

Yes, that is the sticking point. Don’t try to carry them on, it’s too likely they won’t make it past security. If you have expensive poles you really like, I’ve heard of people putting them in a cardboard shipping tube to be checked. If yours are basic (like mine), it could also be worth just picking some up at a Decathalon store when you arrive. Their stuff is cheap but solid, especially since you’ll be walking for less than 2 weeks. I was deterred because I didn’t want to buy something I already had…but by the time you ship stuff to Santiago, it’s almost the same cost. Much moreso if your plane ticket doesn't already include a checked bag for free. If you have those “shoe-shaped” rubber tips, bring those with you, though. I couldn’t find those at the Decathalons I went to.

I’m new to hiking poles and I know they can get pretty fancy especially if needed for tough terrain or specific body weaknesses, but as far as I know just basic ones still have a ton of benefit for most people and they are cheap to buy here.

Click to expand...