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How to Ship Luggage Ahead on Holiday — and Save on Baggage Fees
Airlines advertise 20 kg free baggage, but excess charges are €50–100 per bag on most carriers. Alternative: ship your suitcase ahead with a parcel courier. When it pays off, how to organise it, and what it actually costs.
The marketing says “20 kg free baggage included”. The reality is that a second suitcase costs €40–80 each way on most European airlines — and sports equipment like skis, bikes, or surfboards can push that to €100–150 per flight. Sending your bags by courier is often cheaper, and sometimes significantly so.
When does courier shipping beat airline baggage?
Run the numbers before deciding:
| Scenario | Airline fee | Courier cost | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 extra suitcase (20 kg), UK → Spain | €40–60 each way | €25–35 | Courier wins (1-way) |
| Ski equipment, Germany → Austria | €30–70 each way | €20–35 | Courier wins |
| Bicycle, UK → France | €50–100 each way | €40–70 | Break-even |
| 1 carry-on bag (under 8 kg) | Typically free | €10–15 | Airline wins |
| 1 suitcase within free allowance | Free | €15–30 | Take on plane |
The courier advantage is strongest for: heavy items (over 20 kg), sports equipment with large airline surcharges, and families travelling with multiple bags.
How to ship luggage by courier
The process is simpler than most people expect:
- Get a quote: Use Eurosender or DPD/GLS direct. Enter origin address, destination address (hotel, rental property, or friend’s address), weight, and dimensions.
- Book and print the label: Pay online, print the label, attach it to your suitcase with clear tape (baggage loops or trolley handles are fine, just make sure the label won’t detach).
- Hand over: Drop off at a Pickup point or schedule home collection. Most carriers collect within 1–2 business days of booking.
- Receive at destination: The carrier delivers to your hotel, rental address, or a local Pickup point. Inform the hotel reception in advance so they can accept the delivery.
Important: timing
Send your luggage 3–5 days before your arrival at the destination. Standard EU courier transit takes 2–4 business days. Add one day buffer for hotel check-in (the hotel needs to receive it before or on your check-in day).
Do not ship on the day before departure — if there’s any delay, you arrive without your luggage and face the hassle of courier + hotel coordination.
What can go in shipped luggage?
Standard suitcase contents (clothing, shoes, toiletries, books) are fine. Restrictions to check:
- Lithium batteries — loose batteries (spare power banks, uninstalled laptop batteries) are often prohibited or restricted by air carriers. If your suitcase goes by air freight, check the carrier’s policy.
- Perfumes/aerosols — prohibited in some carriers’ air freight mode. Fine in road freight (standard EU ground service).
- Food items — generally fine within EU. For non-EU destinations, check import restrictions.
- Alcohol — fine within EU. Restrictions apply to some non-EU destinations.
For ski equipment, bicycles, and golf clubs: most carriers accept these as oversized items. Declare the actual dimensions and use appropriate packaging (padded bag or original box for skis; bicycle must be partially disassembled with pedals removed and handlebars turned in).
Insurance for valuable luggage
Standard courier insurance covers €50–100 of damage. For luggage containing electronics, cameras, or expensive clothing, add declared-value insurance at booking. Eurosender offers up to €2,000 coverage; DHL Express up to the declared value.
Summary
For most European holiday routes, shipping a suitcase by courier is cheaper than airline excess baggage fees — especially for sports equipment and heavy bags. Book 5 days before departure, ship to your hotel or rental address, and let the hotel know to expect it. Compare prices on Eurosender for your specific route before booking directly with a carrier.
Quick facts
How to Ship Luggage Ahead on Holiday — and Save on Baggage Fees
schedule Updated
Summary
Shipping luggage ahead by courier instead of paying airline excess baggage fees is cost-effective when: (1) your suitcase exceeds the free allowance and the airline excess fee exceeds courier cost, or (2) you have sports equipment with large airline fees. Typical courier cost for a 20 kg suitcase within Europe: €15–40 depending on route and carrier. Typical airline excess fee for a second bag: €30–100 per flight. The maths often favours the courier for flights to Spain, Italy, Croatia, and other popular European routes.
- Typical airline excess bag fee (1 extra bag)
- €30–100 per flight
- Typical courier cost (20 kg suitcase, EU-internal)
- €15–40
- Ski equipment airline fee
- €30–70 per journey
- Bicycle airline surcharge
- €50–150 per flight
- How early to ship
- 3–5 days before departure (allow for transit + hotel check-in)
- Best service for luggage shipping
- Eurosender — compare DPD, GLS on your specific route