What if your backpack gets lost?

[rvhelmondt]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

 

[Flog]

I'm sorry for your predicament. I had to deal with just such a scenario on my son's behalf just last week when KLM failed to load his pack at Dublin and it never showed up when he arrived in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. He couldn't get it sorted at his end, and he was a bit anxious (not half as much as we were!) but I contacted the desk at Dublin, where they were able to confirm it's location, arranged it's quickest route and sent me and him the flight details and times. It arrived 30 hours later, not a bad outcome, considering it was literally half way around the world. He had his valuables on his person and we told him to just go out, buy a pair of shorts and a toothbrush and relax.. all was fine!

I would suggest you call the KLM desk at the airport you departed and get them to take responsibility. They will be able to pinpoint it's last scanned location. Meanwhile, can I suggest you just hop on the metro into Porto and relax for a day or so. If you're not overly fashion conscious, pick up a few cheap bits from a china shop to tide you over. there are worse places to be stuck.

It will work out..

 

[Anhalter]

Always a hassle, sorry for you.

If you have a bit time to spare, get some "emergency supplies" and stay in Porto for a day. If the pack shows up by tomorrow, you are good to go.

If it does not or if you can not wait... thats the tricky bit. Technically the airline is obliged to reimburse you up to around 1500€ of items you buy because of your luggage arrives delayed/is lost. So, again, technically you can walk up to decathlon or whatever, get new stuff, do your camino and get your original backpack delivered somewhere.
There are only two problems. First, you need to have that amount of money available. Secondly, you need to get your money back from the airline. And from my experience, they will try absolutely everything they can that is not completely illegal to avoid doing this. No matter which airline.

So personally, I'd go buy a pair of undies and a toothbrush and hang in Porto for a day and hope for the best. It's not the worst place to spend a day.

 

[Roland49]

Sorry to hear about your lost baggage. Just contact one of the claims-agencies.

They helped me 2 times my flights were cancelled. They max out the amount of damages and take 15-30% of the total payout as their payment. You just have to give them your details, details of flight, etc. and the work will be done. Just works brilliant.

I don't want to advertise for a specific firm, but they do have advertisements in many airports.

 

[Flog]

you need to get your money back from the airline. And from my experience, they will try absolutely everything they can that is not completely illegal to avoid doing this.

They max out the amount of damages and take 15-30% of the total payout as their payment. You just have to give them your details, datails of flight, etc. and the work will be done. Just works brilliant.

Please, don't be suggesting starting out on a camino with a claim/compensation mindset, or looking to max out damages. It will work out. And if the bag doesn't turn up, go from there. Buen Camino, don't worry!

And before I'm accused of selective quoting again, I'm quoting what's relevant.

 

[Roland49]

And before I'm accused of selective quoting again, I'm quoting what's relevant.

If you have legitimate claims for damages, you should get them!
The airlines do everything in their power not to respect the rights of passengers, if they made a mistake.
Unfortunately, this is sad reality.

Maybe to clear a potential misunderstanding: I see the transport to and from and the Camino itself as two totally different parts of the voyage, that should be handled in different ways.

 

[Flog]

The airlines do everything in their power not to respect the rights of passengers, if they made a mistake.
Unfortunately, this is sad reality.

That's nothing new, and isn't confined to airlines. No company likes to pay out compensation.

Maybe to clear a potential misunderstanding: I see the transport to and from and the Camino itself as two totally different parts of the voyage, that should be handled in different

There's no misunderstanding on my part, my camino starts when I pull my front door behind me.

Edit: BTW, I'm not saying don't make a legitimate claim if you're seriously inconvenienced. I'm suggesting not to set out with that mindset, it's not a good way to begin..

 

[J Willhaus]

Sorry this happened to you and I hope it won't dampen your spirits for the Camino. I would have 2 plans. One to wait and see if your bag arrives and the second to prepare ro buy a few essentials and just begin. I would give KLM a day or so and then strike out of they don't come through.

 

[Roland49]

Edit: BTW, I'm not saying don't make a legitimate claim if you're seriously inconvenienced. I'm suggesting not to set out with that mindset, it's not a good way to begin..

I can see your point, but I'm sure the OP didn't wanted to set out that way.
The fault is to be seen at the airline (or airport). To minimize those risks I don't check in my luggage on a trip to or from a Camino, so I'm unstressed from start to end.

 

[rvhelmondt]

UPDATE:

My bag has been found and dropped of at my hotel! Starting my camino as we speak. Thank you for all your comments and words!

 

[TaijiPilgrim]

Good for you, Renee. Bom Caminho.

 

[t2andreo]

At the risk of being roundly thrashed by my colleagues here, in the forum, might I suggest this could be an instance of “the Camino provides?”

In this case, it was a positive solution to the problem - and in a timely basis.

I am very glad that it all worked out.

 

[bullingtonce]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

I do not want to make light of this, but it is, to some degree, nothing more than one of life's unexpected challenges that life, and not you, make happen. You will be measured by how you deal with this unfortunate situation and will have to cope for a period with a quite difficult situation that is more than just physically challenging. You will do what you can, when you can, as you can, regardless of whether it shows up or not and when this Camino is over, although not now of course, this will most memorable for you.

 

[lt56ny]

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

 

[Flog]

UPDATE:

My bag has been found and dropped of at my hotel! Starting my camino as we speak. Thank you for all your comments and words!

Thanks for reporting back with a positive outcome.. Many put up a single request for help, get lots of responses and don't bother to.
Buen Camino

 

[Wanderingfriend]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

What would I do? I’d go buy what I would need for a couple of days, stay put at one address if they find it and deliver it. I would do some self care, breathe, have a nice meal. I usually play out worse case scenarios (for a short time) in my head (as it doesn’t usually happen) then work backwards from there with problem solving. I’d probably say to myself, well, I have the opportunity to pack lighter. A couple outfits will suffice, just a couple bandages. I can get some Tylenol (go to a pharmacy as it’s called something else). And I still have my legs and will have an amazing time. Then after that self talk, I’d wait for two days, trying not to worry about sorting out compensation or what ifs. I said TRYING. And then work really hard not to not let this wreck my Camino if it doesn’t show up. I’d also pick a location a couple days out, contact that Albergue about your situation and ask if they’d be willing to house your bag should it show up until you get there. That’s what I would do.

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

We were in Paris for three days in 2014, sorry.
Remember next time, don't check you bag. It will fit in the overhead.

 

[AidaYYC]

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

Yes, I did both times for the Frances in 2022 and Portugues in 2024 precisely because I did not want to be stuck waiting for my backpack to catch up with me. On the way home, I checked it both times.

 

[J Willhaus]

For some people it isn't an option for carry on depending on the fare, but I always carry my stuff on board. My husband likes to ship a bag with his poles and a pocket knife.

 

[henrythedog]

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

I’m fairly certain that the vast majority on here who have a delayed or lost pack would tell us. This is the first report I can recall in quite some time - and that’s in the context of a very large number of folk setting off on Camino. It’s a numbers game, just like crossing the road.

I always check my bag - but then I’m not crossing the Atlantic and it’s not a big deal if I have to hang around for a while.

 

[longlost18]

I'm a big believer in air tags in the backpack, even though I carry mine on. Saved my butt once on the Frances when I was suffering from 2 new blisters and decided to send my backpack with a transport company. Arrived at my next albergue, but my bag was not there. Air tag showed it still at the previous albergue. After a few phone calls, it arrived about an hour later.

 

[dougfitz]

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

Really. For some of us this is just not an option.

Remember next time, don't check you bag. It will fit in the overhead.

Yours might, mine won't, and I suspect I am not alone.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. ....

But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

Buy the bare minimum that you need and start walking.

 

[trecile]

Buy the bare minimum that you need and start walking.

Fortunately that's not necessary as the backpack has been found.

UPDATE:

My bag has been found and dropped of at my hotel! Starting my camino as we speak. Thank you for all your comments and words!

 

[Joynz]

Unless they have hiking pole

Another reason why everyone should just take their pack as carry on.

And only check their hiking poles?

 

[C clearly]

Unless they have hiking pole

And only check their hiking poles?

That depends on where they are travelling from and to, as described in this thread.

And yes, some people choose to check a few items but keep their hard-to-replace items (including backpack) in the cabin.

 

[Richard Smith]

I am glad the OP is getting her backpack returned, so since the problem is solved I feel able to offer a probably urban myth/story that was going the rounds back in 2016, but which would not have been useful advice for the OP.
>> A young man flew in to start the camino but his pack did not arrive. He started anyway, with what he had in the plane and a few cheap extras he bought. Some time later, when the airline contacted him and said his pack had been found he replied 'send it home, I am happy walking with what I have got'>>

 

[MarianneF]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

This is terrible. So sorry I hope you get it soon. It happened to a friend walking Via Podiensis a few months ago. He had pre-booked accommodation and could not wait around. After 3 days it was delivered to the Gite. However it was already there a day before and not told by the management at the gite. Provide them with your walking schedule and ask to get it delivered to the 2nd or 3rd day,'s albergue. All the best.

 

[trecile]

This is terrible. So sorry I hope you get it soon.

No worries. @rvhelmondt reported that it has been found in post #10.

 

[CWBuff]

I am glad the OP is getting her backpack returned, so since the problem is solved I feel able to offer a probably urban myth/story that was going the rounds back in 2016, but which would not have been useful advice for the OP.
>> A young man flew in to start the camino but his pack did not arrive. He started anyway, with what he had in the plane and a few cheap extras he bought. Some time later, when the airline contacted him and said his pack had been found he replied 'send it home, I am happy walking with what I have got'>>

...but which would not have been useful advice for the OP.

Why not?
Exactly the same thing happened to a friend of mine this past spring. She couldn't spend any extra days waiting for stuff to show up so she went to Decathlon and bought the minimal she needed to start walking. The bag, when found, was sent home....

OK, situation like this is not completely happy but it IS a solution to go and start your Camino; chalk it up to "Plan B" or "When life serves you lemons learn to make lemonade" or whatever...

Thankfully OP got her backpack so she is good

 

[Friend from Barquinha]

Hi,

I’m Renee and I was supposed to start my Camino Portugues today in Porto. Yesterday I arrived early in the morning, but my backpack never did. The lost&found at the airport told me to not wait and that chances would be that if they found it, it would be sent on the flight of the same evening with KLM. But waking up today, nothing. Feeling disregulated and really doubting what to do here. How long do I wait for my backpack and what if it doesn’t come at all. Literally everything is in there. The only thing I have is my outfit I wore during my flight and some basic stuff i bought yesterday to charge my phone and change my clothes.

What would you do?

We had this happen in Lisbon a month ago, coming from Canada. We had 2 connecting flights; our first flight was late and just made the connection with the second, but the packed luggage didn't make it.

If Porto is much like Lisbon, and I suspect it is, the delayed luggage for all airlines is contracted out to a separate agency. We saw the Lisbon one (a "lost-luggage" office within the baggage pick-up part of the terminal) and reported our missing luggage. Quite a few other people also had missing luggage from this flight. We were in the lucky situation of having clothes here, so not such a big deal as for a caminho walker, but others in our situation were not so lucky. They were asked for contact info, and it was suggested the luggage would likely turn up within 24 hours.

As it turned out, the 24 hours turned into 36 or 48. We had headed north to Barquinha by then. When they contacted us, they said their contract said they would deliver door-to-door for 30 km (20 miles +-) surrounding Lisbon, and beyond that, they would deliver it prepaid by bus to the nearest town with a bus terminal. For us, that was Torres Novas, a taxi ride away from where we are in Barquinha. We were advised to wait for a call/text from the TN bus terminal; that happened and we picked up all our bags. All was well. Nothing missing.

I know, when I was in the office at Lisbon airport, there were several travellers who were booked to move on almost immediately from Lisbon, but with fairly open plans. The office was dubious about contacting them with the lost luggage, and advised they stay in Lisbon until the luggage arrived.

I would suspect your situation in Porto would be similar. Lots to do in Porto, and the smaller towns are somewhat closed down right now with the forest fires, so I'd just stay put, and wait for your luggage to join you.

Bom caminho!

[Edit: I see the original post-er has had her backpack delivered; good news and I obviously jumped the gun in responding. But the essentials remain true. Wait a bit; chances are, it will turn up!]

 

[Kathar1na]

I'd also like to thank the OP for the feedback.

So it was a KLM flight from the Netherlands to Porto where the OP arrived in the early morning. KLM initially said that they'd expect the backpack to be delivered with their evening flight but apparently this did not happen. By the early afternoon of the following day, the backpack had been delivered to the OP's hotel in Porto, as described in post #10.

 

[lt56ny]

Unless they have hiking pole

And only check their hiking poles?

You can do that or you can do what I do. (I know some people have expensive poles or poles they love so checking is the way to go). I buy my poles when I arrive, and when I get to Santiago I donate them to Pilgrim House. This may not be practical for those on a super tight schedule.

 

[lt56ny]

Really. For some of us this is just not an option.


Yours might, mine won't, and I suspect I am not alone.

Got it @dougfitz. My old backpack was pretty big and risked it the first time but luckily it fit in the overhead with just a little extra push!

 

[lt56ny]

I’m fairly certain that the vast majority on here who have a delayed or lost pack would tell us. This is the first report I can recall in quite some time - and that’s in the context of a very large number of folk setting off on Camino. It’s a numbers game, just like crossing the road.

I always check my bag - but then I’m not crossing the Atlantic and it’s not a big deal if I have to hang around for a while.

Good to have that luxury of time.

 

[lt56ny]

Yes, I did both times for the Frances in 2022 and Portugues in 2024 precisely because I did not want to be stuck waiting for my backpack to catch up with me. On the way home, I checked it both times.

To be safe I like to take it on the plane in both directions.