Starting El Camino Frances 1 April 2023

[ANGLICO1]

Hello All,

My Son and I are starting The French route on 1 April. We will be traveling with one small checked container that will hold items (i.e. trekking poles, small survival knives, sleeping bags and extra cold weather clothes) that we can not take on board our flight. I’m also cheking this gear inorder to meet the airlines carry on size requirements. Ok. Now for the question.

1. Will it be possible to transport our extra container the morning of 1 April which is a Saturday, just before starting the walk?

2. Does the pilgrim office in St. Jean provide this kind of support?

Currently we are scheduled to arrive in St Jean later in the evening on 31 March.

Should I regroup and try to get to St Jean earlier in the day on Friday?

Thank you in advance,
Epic

 

[trecile]

If all that you need to send forward is an empty bag of some sort I think that you are best off buying a cheap duffel bag from a thrift shop or discount store and leaving it behind in SJPdP. On the way home you could check your backpacks since it won't be so critical to have them when you get home. Or you could buy another cheap duffel.

For anyone who wants to send a suitcase to Santiago the best option from SJPdP is Express Bourricot. Their service is available every day. You go to their office the day before you start your Camino, fill out some paperwork and pay their fee. They give you a tag to put on your luggage, and they will pick it up at your accommodation in the morning.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT - Express Bourricot

www.expressbourricot.com

 

[ANGLICO1]

That makes sense. Thank you very much.

 

[henrythedog]

Hello All,

My Son and I are starting The French route on 1 April. We will be traveling with one small checked container that will hold items (i.e. trekking poles, small survival knives, sleeping bags and extra cold weather clothes) that we can not take on board our flight. I’m also cheking this gear inorder to meet the airlines carry on size requirements. Ok. Now for the question.

1. Will it be possible to transport our extra container the morning of 1 April which is a Saturday, just before starting the walk?

2. Does the pilgrim office in St. Jean provide this kind of support?

Currently we are scheduled to arrive in St Jean later in the evening on 31 March.

Should I regroup and try to get to St Jean earlier in the day on Friday?

Thank you in advance,
Epic

Could you clarify?

Are you looking to send your container direct from SJPDP to Santiago? In which case @trecile ’s advice is sound; or send a container ahead of you day by day?

In the latter case the daily transport has to be pre-notified to the service provider. There are several options once you get into Spain and their protocols vary slightly.,

 

[ANGLICO1]

Im thinking SJPP to Pamplona. Once in Pamplona I think we can shed the container and carry all our stuff in our packs.

 

[Anniesantiago]

All I can say is that I have had several pilgrims arrive in Madrid with their checked bags lost.
They had to buy everything to start again.
I will never again check bags.
Just carry them on. You can pick up nice trekking poles in Pamplona or SJPP.

 

[lt56ny]

I have a question. How many liters are your backpacks? I am not sure why you would be worried about your backpack size unless you already have alot of gear in there. How much does your pack weigh with everything you will be carrying once you leave Pamplona. I am just asking as I am a little confused about the size requirements. I have carried my backpack many, many times on planes (my pack is 45 liters) and have never had any problems at all. I would also recommend that you use your poles from St. Jean. It is a long and tough uphill and a really steep and long downhill to Roncesvalles.

You can pick up nice trekking poles in Pamplona or SJPP

I am sure you have bought your tickets already. Unless you have poles you really love and already own I think it is far less expensive and easier to buy. poles and a knife when you arrive in St. Jean then paying the extra money to check a bag with the airline. I know that the airline I am taking and some others have a "light" fare that is the cheapest and allows you to bring personal luggage up to 10K, 22lbs. I am flying Level/Iberia and it would be about $150 (maybe more) round trip if I check a bag. I can buy poles and a decent pocketknife in Spain for about 30-35 Euros. I leave my poles at Pilgrim House in Santiago.

 

[ANGLICO1]

Sorry for the late reply. I’m carrying a Deuter 32L, once I set it up to the way I am going to carry the backpack. It exceeds the carry on measurements for Delta airlines. I’ll just do as recommended and take an extra suitcase and donate it. Thank you very much for your input, we surley do appreciate it. See you around.