Luggage Requirement for Jordan and Egypt tour
I am confused about the luggage requirements for this tour. I understand the one piece of luggage weighing no more than 50 lbs. But on the intra-tour flights, are you allowed a regular carry on, in addicting to the 11 pound carry on item? I did not get a clear answer when I called Tauck. The person to whom I talked did not really give me a definite answer. Thanks for your help.
0
Comments
This is what it says on the tour page
Besides the checked luggage limitations noted above, you are allowed to bring one piece of carry-on luggage aboard your intra-tour flights, not to exceed a weight of 11 lbs (5 kg),with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 43" (110 cm) due to space restrictions in overhead storage bins aboard the charter flights, motor coaches; larger carry-ons will be stowed in the luggage compartment under the coach.
It is not acceptable that a Tauck agent does not have a definitive answer.
At one time, I would bring a small backpack with things like a change of clothes, meds, book, iPad etc plus a very small handbag.
These days, I don’t take a handbag. I put my usual handbag stuff in a see through sort of thin cosmetics size bag which I can quickly access and put in another bag, or if valuables in it, transfer to the hotel safe. I also take a very small cross over bag that just holds my cell phone and a couple of other things. I also take a lightweight small folding backpack for daytime needs…all these go in my one carry on backpack, so that when I go to the airport, I have both hands free and when I go through security and withTSA Precheck in the US, I don’t have to mess around with anything but the backpack…less chance of forgetting and misplacing anything at a busy security area. But most importantly, if we are taking more than one flight to a final destination and a delayed flight requires us to run to the next Gate, we can do it easily.
For me, more and more, the most stressful part of any vacation is the airports, trouble with flights etc. Do you remember back in the day when going to an airport was all part of an exciting vacation….ahhhh!
Thanks, British. What I do not understand is if you can have a regular carry-on in addition to the bag weighing 11 pounds. On other trips with intra-tour flights that required a smaller bag (such as the Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa tour-on which we had a duffle bag for the 6 night safari, we also had our regular carry-on, which was transported by Tauck to the next city on the itinerary). So I don't know if we can also have a the regular carry-on in addition to the 11 pound bag. I am going to call Tauck bag and ask for a supervisor to see if I can get a definitive answer. You are right, it is definitely acceptable that a Tauck agent does not have a definitive answer.
How I read it, is you are just allowed one bag on the plane. I’ve been to Jordan with Tauck, but not Egypt.
Ruby, they mean you can check a standard 50 lb bag (call it whatever you want- sometimes Tauck is loose with their terms) main bag and carry a small 11 lb bag. (43" (L + W + H ) carry-on which is just about the same size as a standard carry-on which vary by airline but are typically 22" X 14" X 9" (45"). That is it. Just because someone doesn't like to use large 50 lb checked bags, they still can't have two smaller 34 lb bags for instance. Whatever you want to call them you get one main bag and one small carry on bag. You are limited to one 50 lb (max) checked bag and one 11 lb (max) bag to carry on.
You must remember airline weights are airline weights based on size and weight and Tauck weights for on-tour flights (and on tour) are based on size, weight, AND baggage handling. often by the driver and even the TD.
Often they will allow you to take one small personal item like a purse, but it doesn't say that for this trip. What it does say is you can bring a small day bag (with items from your other luggage- meds, camera, etc.) on the bus excursions.
British I certainly do, going to the airport was exciting and in those times I also dressed better than I do now, lol.
I've never had a suitcase weigh more than 37 pounds going, coming back it may weigh a little more.
How confusing can this be? And we pay how much for this? I assume you have the 11lb carryon and a small personal bag. For me that would be a very small bag like my wife's purse. If this isn't correct, let me know.
Our tour starts on March 15. I called Tauck about a week ago and they said our 40 person tour only has 30 people on it. It that is the case, I wouldn't think weight would be a problem. Maybe if Tauck is reading these posts they could chime in and settle this confusion.
I have another question. Tauck suggests taking a flashlight on the trip. Is that for the tours to see spiders or snakes in the tombs or just for personal reasons?
That will not be the only people on your plane. Once you have traveled more, you easily get experienced about packing light.
No, not correct. Each person gets one piece of (checked) luggage weighing no more than 50 lbs and one piece of carry-on luggage weighing no more than 11 lbs. If you really don't want to take a full size checked bag, you can take a smaller, lighter (checked) one in addition to the small 11 lbs (or lighter) one. Of course, whatever you take, you must conform to airline size and weight restrictions.
Again, other than airline restrictions (on international and on-tour flights which may be on small commuter turbo prop aircraft) the Tauck restrictions are intended to make it easier for TD and local staff to handle your baggage at the hotels. This is not a 19th century Agatha Christie 'Death on the Nile' cruise where a team of porters handles a large number of heavy steamer trunks so you can change into fine dinner attire each evening.
You will typically fly in a Petroleum Air Services (PAS) small twin turboprop Dash-8 from Aqaba to Aswan and from Aswan to and back from Abu Simbel.
Flashlights have multiple uses- be able to see your way on poorly lit walkways and stairs at hotels, tombs and temples, in dark corners inside dimly lit tombs and temples, and in case of a power outage, etc. Remember, despite the proximity of electrical power from the Aswan High Dam, you will be in the third world area. We take small LED flashlights on every tour.
We also take flashlights on every tour.
So if I understand what you are saying, my wife cannot carry a purse because it would be a "third bag"
Yes, if I take a purse, I put it in my backpack anyway. This is not a difficult tour you picked, most all Tauck tours of this nature it’s the same. I think Alan has been on the tour, I took the Israel Jordan one, similar. I’ve taken a couple of three week tours where the only bag you can have is a provided duffel. It’s easily doable, I don’t understand your anxiety.
Some tours also allow you to carry a purse, as you say a "third bag." But the "important info" for this tour does not mention a purse so, as British says, you "may" need to put a purse in your 11 lb carry on, so be prepared.
We did this tour a few years ago. It is not a tour that requires a large amount of clothing nor fancy clothes or shoes. For all our tours (going on 20), we each take a standard suitcase that, when packed, typically weighs about 37 - 40 lbs., I carry a bag for my camera, iPad, etc. while my wife carries an open-top bag or her Biaggi to hold her purse if required, magazines, etc. and a spare set of emergency clothes for each of us. Once on tour the contents of her bag get incorporated into our regular luggage.
FYI, Tauck does not weigh anything.
In the next day or so, I suggest you try a test pack to see how things shake out.
I have a flashlight app on my iPhone.
Yes, we have the iPhone I figured we might want to preserve the phone battery in a blackout
You beat me to it, MCD. My phone's flashlight works just fine for my purposes.
I received an email from our tour director and he answered the question about the luggage. Here is his answer:
The luggage situation is generally not too challenging, as we have one private charter flight from Jordan to Egypt and one commercial flight from Luxor to Cairo. On the commercial flight, each guest is allowed one checked bag up to 50 lbs. If you have a second bag, you can purchase an additional allowance for approximately $35 per bag. I always travel with two carry-ons and have never had any issues. On our private charter flight, there are no luggage restrictions since we've chartered the entire plane. I hope that helps!
GEG, you will be the best dressed on the trip.
I’m currently on this tour. As stated above, on the private charter flights from Jordan to Aswan, luggage restrictions don’t apply. The Abu Simbel flights will be only with your daytime use stuff (like a bus day). Our TD has told us that the commercial flight carryon 11 pound limit isn’t enforced, and that usually a small bag and personal item like an purse are typically ok.
We did the commercial flight to Cairo this morning. The 50# checked bag limit was enforced. At least one guest had to pay a small fee for a bag that exceeded the limit. Additional checked bagels were allowed for a fee. Carry on was just like the US. Even roll on bags were allowed as well as a personal item.
Mike - I chuckled at your typo.
I guess I'll have to watch what I eat for breakfast before flights in Egypt. 😁
Yes, bagels were allowed on the flight. 😊 Obviously, that was supposed to say “bags”.