One of the pleasures of a walking holiday is the freedom to travel at your own pace, following a trail through beautiful landscapes, stopping in villages and enjoying the journey without rushing.
But there's one practical question that often comes up when planning a multi-day walk: do you have to carry all your luggage with you?
Not necessarily.
On many self-guided walking holidays, a luggage transfer service allows you to walk with just a small daypack while your main bag is transported from one accommodation to the next.
It's a simple arrangement that can make a real difference to your experience, especially if you're planning your first multi-day walking trip.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next Camino, or want help choosing the itinerary that best matches your needs,
take our quiz at the link below!
Luggage transfer is a service that transports your main bag between your overnight accommodations while you complete each stage of your journey on foot.
Instead of carrying everything you need for the entire holiday, you take only your daily essentials on the trail.
Your luggage travels separately and is delivered to your next accommodation, ready for you when you finish walking.
You still enjoy the independence of a self-guided walking holiday, but without the weight of a fully loaded backpack.
This can be particularly useful on long-distance routes such as the Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena, as well as other multi-day walking itineraries.
The process is straightforward. Although conditions may vary depending on your chosen holiday, luggage transfer generally follows these steps.
After breakfast, pack your main bag and leave it at your accommodation, following the instructions provided for your trip.
Your luggage should be ready for collection by 9 am.
Make sure you've taken everything you'll need during the day before leaving it behind.
Once your main bag has been left for collection, you're free to begin your day's walk.
You only need to carry a small backpack containing your essentials, such as:
Without a heavy bag, you can concentrate on the trail, enjoy the scenery and stop whenever you like.
While you're walking, your main bag is transported to your next overnight stop.
Your luggage will be delivered by 5 pm, so it will be waiting for you at your accommodation by that time.
If you arrive earlier, you may need to wait for the delivery.
The following morning, the process begins again.
As a general rule, SloWays accepts one piece of luggage per person, weighing a maximum of 20 kg for the luggage transfer service.
We recommend choosing a soft-sided travel bag rather than a rigid suitcase, as softer luggage is generally easier to handle and transport between accommodations.
Remember that you'll only need to carry your daily essentials while walking, so there's no need to pack everything into your daypack.
Important: luggage allowances, collection arrangements and other conditions may vary between holidays. Always check the individual trip page for the specific details and availability of the luggage transfer service.
Not necessarily.
The availability of luggage transfer, and whether it is included in the holiday price or offered as an additional service, depends on the specific itinerary.
Before booking, check the individual SloWays trip page to understand what is included and whether any particular conditions apply.
This is especially important if you're comparing different routes or planning a longer walking journey.
Walking with a lighter backpack doesn't mean missing out on the experience of a long-distance trail.
You still cover the distance on foot, follow the route independently and experience the landscapes and places along the way.
The difference is simply what you carry.
Luggage transfer can help you:
For first-time walkers, it can also make the idea of a multi-day journey feel much more approachable.
A walking holiday is about discovering places at a different pace: following a path, noticing the landscape change and arriving somewhere new at the end of each day.
Carrying less doesn't make that experience any less authentic.
It simply gives you more freedom to enjoy it.
With SloWays, you can explore a wide range of self-guided walking holidays, with practical arrangements designed to make your journey easier.
Before setting off, check the luggage transfer information on your chosen trip page, pack your daypack with everything you need for the day, and enjoy the walk.
Written by the SloWays Team
Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2026
