Luggage

Mrvnandtaz

Thanks, Late Bloomer, for your question about luggage restrictions on in-China flights - we would also like to know. Also, the Tauck info says we need to limit ourselves to one "regular size" suitcase. What is "regular size"? We are concerned about how to pack enough clothes for 20 days in a medium size suitcase, if that is what they mean by "regular". We are on the Oct 4, 2018 tour, arriving in Beijing on the 3rd and staying an extra day, leaving Hong Kong on the 20th. We'd love to chat with anyone on that tour to meet before we go.

Ken from Vegas

I would say a roller bag with 25" (or so) as the longest measurement constitutes a "regular" suitcase. I would classify the larger 29" bags as oversized, particularly since these typically don't comply with the baggage size limits on most airlines.

GrandmaJune

I'm not sure if we are allowed to post links on this forum, but if they do, you may find this website helpful:
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/baggage.htm

We are taking the Beijing to Hong Kong tour just a few weeks after you (Ours begins October 18, 2018 in Beijing and ends November 2, 2018 in Hong Kong). The biggest concern with luggage will be the domestic flights within China, and transfers from airports to hotels. When we took the Tauck Tour called "South Africa, an Elegant Adventure" we were VERY grateful we had adhered to the "one suitcase" rule - it's there for a reason! Most of the hotels have laundry service, and though it can be pricey, it's better to use it than to overpack. Bring enough for maybe 4-5 days and get things laundered!!!

For this trip, I am going to have a hard time sticking to my own advice! We will be continuing from Hong Kong to Bangkok on a Viking Ocean Cruise! The temperature on the Tauck Tour portion of our trip will be much cooler than it will be on the cruise! I am going to investigate shipping an extra suitcase to the Ritz Carlton in Hong Kong, since having additional luggage won't be a problem on the cruise portion of the trip!!

MY QUESTION: Who has shipped luggage and how was the experience? Luggage on time? Cost? Arrive undamaged? Which shipping company did you use?

AlanS

GrandmaJune wrote:

I'm not sure if we are allowed to post links on this forum, but if they do, you may find this website helpful:
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/baggage.htm

We are taking the Beijing to Hong Kong tour just a few weeks after you (Ours begins October 18, 2018 in Beijing and ends November 2, 2018 in Hong Kong). The biggest concern with luggage will be the domestic flights within China, and transfers from airports to hotels. When we took the Tauck Tour called "South Africa, an Elegant Adventure" we were VERY grateful we had adhered to the "one suitcase" rule - it's there for a reason! Most of the hotels have laundry service, and though it can be pricey, it's better to use it than to overpack. Bring enough for maybe 4-5 days and get things laundered!!!

For this trip, I am going to have a hard time sticking to my own advice! We will be continuing from Hong Kong to Bangkok on a Viking Ocean Cruise! The temperature on the Tauck Tour portion of our trip will be much cooler than it will be on the cruise! I am going to investigate shipping an extra suitcase to the Ritz Carlton in Hong Kong, since having additional luggage won't be a problem on the cruise portion of the trip!!

MY QUESTION: Who has shipped luggage and how was the experience? Luggage on time? Cost? Arrive undamaged? Which shipping company did you use?

I have a better suggestion- buy new clothes and a suitcase in Hong Kong. You can likely get custom-tailored clothing made in just a day or two max. Just buy a cheap suit case there too- it is a shopper's Mecca. I did that when I visited Seoul, South Korea years ago. It will likely be cheaper than having a heavy suitcase shipped!

GrandmaJune

Great idea, Explorer! Thank you!

AlanS

GrandmaJune wrote:

Great idea, Explorer! Thank you!

More info on my experience in Seoul- I was in the Navy and the ship pulled into Pusan in southern Korea. I took a few days leave and flew up to Seoul to visit friends. They took me to Itaewon and shopping district of Seoul. There are similar areas in Hong Kong. I bought a three piece set of cheap, but serviceable, soft-sided luggage- Gucci lookalikes, just to bring everything back to the ship. I had about 10 custom tailored pinpoint Oxford dress shirts made - I chose the fabrics from an unbelievable selection. They were ready the next day. They also kept my measurements on file in case I wanted to order more once I got back home. I also picked up some "Ralph Lauren Polo" golf shirts- the horse logo had only 3 legs : ). Anyway, the total for everything was less than I would have paid for just three shirts back home. Prices have gone up a lot since those days, but there are still good deals to be had.

We've been on Tauck tours where some of our fellow travelers wore some of the strangest and unfashionable clothes we have seen. We were puzzled until we learned they brought old clothes and threw them out when they were done wearing them. It made room for new clothes purchased on tour or for light luggage on the trip home!

British

Although I think Alan has some great ideas, I am not sure the buying clothes in Hong Kong will work. We are taking the China tour that ends in HK next year. First, there is very little time there to shop, second, as I understand things these days, the days of finding cheap clothing are over.. if you use the taking things you can layer principle in China, you could wear just one layer in the Viking part of the tour. I have still never taken two tours back to back, not sure I would have the energy. We came close last year when we returned home from Namibia , had four days at home then repacked and took the Tauck Galapagos tour, but as we had taken that tour before we knew what we were in for and were back on US time almost in that location. I must admit that just having returned from Indochina in March we did find it one of our most challenging tours because of the humidity.