Luggage transfer

Momwiz said:

It’s necessary that I use luggage transport on my Camino from Leon to Santiago in the spring.… Please don’t judge me! I chose Correos because I’ve seen it often in Spain depositing luggage at various hotels. My frustration is tantamount to teaching a four-year-old how to tie their shoes… frustrating! I’ve had trouble accessing their website, and when I have done, so it’s all in Spanish, so I cannot create an account as I am not bilingual. I’ve even tried to call several numbers, gotten through to Spain, and then quickly have been hung up upon. I managed to put my destinations in after paying for the service (which they seem to require upfront) after several attempts. While doing so, I was unable to find all of our accommodations and it was hit or miss until finally I put in the name of the hotel /albergue that was the closest I could come it’s title. At this point, I have no idea when or where my luggage will be picked up and when or where it will be deposited at the next location while I’m on my Camino. I would appreciate any input or knowledge of reaching out to Correos for confirmation or how better to navigate their site. Their website seems to have many names and addresses and I’ve tried them all! If I decide to cancel and go with another company, I have no idea how I would go about getting my money back!
I am humbly desperate…hope my rant makes sense!

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@Momwiz Did you find the English version of the Correos Paq Mochila website? There's no need to try to navigate the Spanish version. English version is here: https://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/rucksack-transfer

(Oh I see Trecile beat me to it!)

I've used this service many times and found the booking process straightforward and our accommodations were always on their lists (mostly private albergues or small pensiones etc).

There is an email address given on that web page (paqmochila@correos.com) which I've used for questions, and I received a prompt reply. They will answer in English although I think I tried to write in Spanish.
[Edit: I just looked back at some old emails and I see I did write in English to that email address and received replies in English.]

I've also contacted them by phone when an urgent issue arose and had a helpful English speaker at the other end. There is a contact page in English at https://www.elcaminoconcorreos.com/en/contact - I think the mobile number given there is the one I used - they seemed to expect callers to be English speaking.

I hope that helps - sorry to hear you have had so much trouble with your bookings. It's possible they don't have so many staff on this service at this time of year, as they don't operate on the pre-Sarria sections until April. You don't need to book much in advance so if it's really not working for you perhaps cancelling and trying again nearer the time might work.

The mobile contact number above is available on WhatsApp +34 683440022 currently from (Monday to Friday, from 8am to 3pm). After April during regular season the hours are expanded and will be available on their website.
This is from their site now: many contact options:
If you need detailed information about sending rucksacks and luggage along the Camino:

please send us a mail at paqmochila@correos.com

For any information regarding our services on the Camino de Santiago you can find us at elcamino@correos.com

or in any of the over 100 post offices along the Way.

I have used Correos, online in English, and found them very straightforward. I paid an amount set by my start and end points and not dependent on how many stops I made along the way. I would only arrange the pickup 2 or 3 days ahead, using the drop down menu. There were occasions when I stayed somewhere that was not on their menu. I contacted them and had to have agreement from the place I wanted to stay that they would accept my bag, someone would be there. I did this and it worked okay. One place I stayed they didn't find a way in so they left my pack in another accommodation a short walk away. I discovered that the albergue I stayed in was attached to a bar, so used a side door for receiving bags and letting us leave in the morning. So in the morning I took a photo and sent it to Correos by email so they could collect my bag. I had a message thanking me and my bag was collected okay. I Leon I had an apartment which was locked so they left my pack in the hotel that oversaw the apartment and sent me a message telling me, before I got there.

I have also used Jacotrans and I think that would be my preference were I to do this again. Mainly because they are more familiar with the albergues (not municipal as you can't have packs delivered there). Also because I could send a text message on a daily basis, with collection/delivery instructions which I found easier than the webpage on my phone. That was how it was when I used the service in 2022, it may have changed since then. However I was having to find the cash daily for the Jacotrans envelope, which is why I turned to Correos in 2023.

It all sounds more complicated when you read and write about it. In practice it becomes very straightforward and I found both services very helpful when necessary.

I'm wondering approximately how much was the cost per day? Just booked for doing the Camino Portuguese in September.

Hi @Momwiz , I had a frustrating time the first time I used Correos, too. Another year when we needed it, it was much easier as I already had an account set up.

I would set up an account with them before you go. Right now, Correos is only doing winter transfers for the last 100 km on the CF and CP. If you are traveling before Easter, then you'll be limited to these routes for transfers. They may not have as many people staffed in winter to handle these service requests, but that is just a guess.

As someone else mentioned, they do have an English website and if you email them directly at
paqmochila@correos.com They should respond to you in English if you request it.

I called then each day to let them know where to pick up and deliver our bag in summer 2023 after we had to start shipping my husband's pack. They always had someone who spoke Englishto talk to me. You do need to make sure that where you plan to stay accepts bags. I had to change some plans as the places I selected did not accept bag transfers. Once bag shipping season begins, you can see the places that Correos delivers to on their website.