How much does it cost to ship a suitcase? Here’s the ultimate guide to calculating it!

Introduction

Traveling is always a wonderful and eagerly anticipated activity, but certain aspects of air travel can be quite frustrating, especially for those traveling with a large group or young children. Flights are often delayed, check-in lines seem endless, and the person next to you inevitably hogs the entire armrest.
However, one of the most exhausting parts of travel is lugging around one or more suitcases. Wouldn’t it be amazing if your luggage could just magically appear at your destination?Thanks to some private luggage shipping services, this is actually possible.
Dozens of companies specialize in shipping your luggage with the primary goal of making your travel experience much easier. They collect your bags and safely deliver them to your destination, whether it’s a hotel on an island, a penthouse in New York, your cruise ship dock, or even your hometown.
Now, here comes the big question: what’s the price tag for shipping a suitcase? And if you opt for this route, is shipping your luggage truly the most budget-friendly choice? Let’s dive into the details in this article, including a cost breakdown using an automated system.

Why you should ship your luggage

There are several compelling reasons why traveling without luggage is more appealing than dealing with it at the airport. Here they are:

1. It’s simple: shipping your bags makes the process a breeze. Instead of lugging your suitcase up and down escalators, you can pass through security with just your boarding pass. You’ll save time and energy, and your bag will be waiting for you at your destination. Most luggage shipping companies offer door-to-door service, picking up your bag a few days before your trip and delivering it upon your arrival.
2. It’s flexible: if you love traveling for activities (e.g. skiing), luggage shipping companies are incredibly useful. These companies will store your sports equipment at a reasonable price, and it will be waiting for you at your destination.
3. It’s convenient: whether you’re traveling alone, with young children, or in a large group, or if you don’t want to deal with bulky equipment, a luggage shipping service is an excellent option. Plus, it’s more affordable than you might think.

We’ll soon see with the cost calculation how much it really costs to ship a suitcase based on your needs.

How to prepare a suitcase for shipping

Before we explore how much it costs to ship a suitcase for a lighter and more comfortable journey, let’s see how to prepare it properly.

Knowing how to pack a suitcase securely and adequately for shipping is crucial.

How to pack a suitcase? All the tips

As we explain in our dedicated article, first make sure you have quality and robust materials: 

• The suitcase to be shipped;
• Tape to cover the handle;
• Protective material for delicate or fragile items;
• A lock for the bag;
• Plastic wrap or bubble wrap for the suitcase;
• Tape to attach the shipping invoice properly.

Not all items to be shipped are the same (and may affect the final result of how much it costs to send a suitcase in total): in this regard, make sure you pack each item correctly (e.g. golf clubs; snowboards etc.).

What to avoid packing in a suitcase for shipping?

After explaining how to pack items and the suitcase for shipping, it’s important to remember what not to pack:

• Ivory and items containing ivory;
• Magnets and items containing magnets;
• Flammable and dangerous goods such as weapons, knives, flammable resins, solvents, sprays, paints, chemicals, substances, explosives, dry ice, fuel, and perfumes;
• Animal parts (alive or dead);
• Human solid and liquid substances.

If you have your packing list ready but aren’t sure how to label your suitcase correctly for shipping, check out our related instructions for all the tips to avoid mistakes or annoying inconveniences.

How much does it cost to ship a suitcase?

After considering the alternative of shipping your suitcase with luggage shipping companies rather than with the airline you’re flying with, it’s time to answer the main question: how much does it cost to ship a suitcase instead of bringing it with you?

First, remember that this calculation can be influenced by several factors:

• Available shipping options such as postal service, express courier, or specialized luggage shipping companies;
• The size, weight, destination, delivery speed, and any special requests made to the luggage shipping company.

So, how can you know exactly how much it costs to ship a suitcase to decide what to do? Simple: use an online shipping cost calculator.

Shipping cost calculation

Way To Go offers a dedicated platform to calculate the shipping price based on various destinations. This platform provides a precise cost estimate simply by entering some basic information.

Before you decide, you can get an accurate cost estimate through the purchasing/shipping website. Costs are broken down by package volume/weight and, logically, based on the destination.

Ready to travel? Calculate your costs now!

How to determine shipping costs for a suitcase

Now let’s see how to calculate and verify shipping costs directly from Way To Go’s online platform.

Here’s an example of shipping a suitcase to the United States:

1. Access the WayToGo platform;
2. Choose whether to ship for just the outbound trip (one-way) or also for the return trip (round-trip);
3. Enter the departure and destination country for the luggage;
4. Select the correct size for each bag (from S to XL), based on weight and dimensions;
5. Enter your email address (and additional emails if necessary);
6. Scroll down to see a brief summary and a preview of the shipping costs;
7. Click the “Continue” button.

On the next screen, enter:

• The address for pickup;
• The delivery address;
• Any additional notes as needed.

Why choose to ship with Way To Go

As we’ve seen, shipping a suitcase and having it ready at your destination without having to drag it everywhere is simple and effective. It might be simpler than you think, as it’s becoming a global trend.
For this reason, and because of the affordable costs, our advice is to choose the best companies to entrust with your belongings.

With Way To Go, you can rely on experience and professionalism, precision tools, speed in calculation and delivery, and, most importantly, service security and reliability.

Shipping your luggage isn’t just about price; it’s about simplicity, ease, and safety.

Conclusion

When considering luggage shipping, it might seem more straightforward (and cheaper) to bring your luggage on the plane with you. However, depending on the number of bags, their weight, and your value on convenience and time, a luggage shipping service can be the best, safest option.

It’s certainly the choice that always guarantees freedom of movement, care for your luggage and belongings, and reliable service—benefits only a dependable luggage shipping company can provide.