Help with accommodation on Camino Francés

[Diarmad]

We are in Santa Marina del rey staying at a hostel costing 59 euros after redirecting from our destination which was San Martin del Camino.

We found the albergues were all booked or closed after looking on booking.com and have found the same for astorga and rabanal del camino (our next two plotted destinaciones) - we have been using the pdf provided on here and looking online.

Confused - since we thought albergue were first come first served - some of them have double rooms to book or some (very few) dorm rooms but not really near our route. Could anyone offer some help on this?

 

[trecile]

Confused - since we thought albergue were first come first served -

That's true of most public and parochial albergues, but most private albergues can be reserved.

Also booking.com does not have access to all beds or rooms. The properties only release part of their inventory to the booking sites.

Use Gronze to find contact information and contact the albergues directly. I recommend using WhatsApp when possible.

Camino Francés | Gronze.com

El Camino Francés es el Camino de Santiago en el que confluyen la mayoría de las vías medievales de peregrinación europeas, siendo por tanto el camino de mayor relevancia histórica y el más seguido por los peregrinos. Su punto de inicio, hoy en día, tanto puede considerarse Roncesvalles como...

www.gronze.com

The public albergue in Astorga hás 156 beds and is first come, first served

Albergue de peregrinos Siervas de María | Albergue de Peregrinos en Astorga | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue de peregrinos Siervas de María, en Astorga: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

 

[trecile]

In Rabanal the public so albergue is closed, Refugio Gaucelmo has 36 beds and does not accept reservations.

You will find it and other places here:

Rabanal del Camino, León | Albergues y Hoteles | Gronze.com

Albergues, Hoteles y Servicios para Peregrinos en Rabanal del Camino, León, en el Camino de Santiago.

www.gronze.com

 

[trecile]

One more thing. Gronze is only in Spanish, but if you use the Chrome browser it will automatically translate to English.

I also recommend using the Wise Pilgrim app.

A Complete Guide to the Caminos to Santiago de Compostela

A complete guide to the Camino de Santiago, including accommodation on the Camino Francés, Camino del Norte, Camino Portugués, Camino Primtivo, Vía de la Plata, Camino de Invierno, Finisterre & Muxía, San Salvador, Camino Olvidado, Caminho Nascente, Camino da Geira, Camino Inglés, Vía Podiensis...

wisepilgrim.com

 

[good_old_shoes]

The mistake might be to look on booking. dot.

Most of the Camino pilgrim accommodation is NOT listed on booking.

So you'll only be shown very few beds, only a fraction of what exists. On top of that, even the few albergues that are listed in that app will only sell very few of their beds via that app.

In Astorga there's a big municipal albergue that can not be booked and is first-come-first-served - "Albergue de peregrinos Siervas de Maria".

In Rabanal there's a lovely donativo albergue (Refugio Gaucelmo) that can't be booked and is also first-come-first-served.

If you do want to make a reservation, I recommend the website "gronze.com". It shows all the accommodation and also the ways to contact them.

Usually you'll have much more success when contacting places directly. So, try calling places directly (or send a WhatsApp message).

On top of that, this weekend is a major holiday coming up, and many people will be on a short vacation and filling up hotel rooms ect. That might be a reason for so few rooms being available on booking.

Buen Camino!

 

[davejsy]

From all of the posts on this recently, for me, it's best to assume an Albergue is only truly full if;

a) you turn up and they tell you it's full
b) you contact them directly via phone/whatsapp and they tell you it's full

It seems booking.con is causing much panic and even worse meaning these amazing places are not been utilised to their fullest capacity by the people who want to stay in them.

Edit - this of course is not a fault of booking.con which is just running it's business. People just need to be mindful when using it.

 

[Diarmad]

Wow thank you everyone - both reassuring and helpful insight here, really appreciated - astorga bound to try out albergue options now

 

[Kirkie]

Wow thank you everyone - both reassuring and helpful insight here, really appreciated - astorga bound to try out albergue options now

Please report back.

 

[lt56ny]

In Rabanal the public so albergue is closed, Refugio Gaucelmo has 36 beds and does not accept reservations.

You will find it and other places here:

Rabanal del Camino, León | Albergues y Hoteles | Gronze.com

Albergues, Hoteles y Servicios para Peregrinos en Rabanal del Camino, León, en el Camino de Santiago.

www.gronze.com

We are in Santa Marina del rey staying at a hostel costing 59 euros after redirecting from our destination which was San Martin del Camino.

We found the albergues were all booked or closed after looking on booking.com and have found the same for astorga and rabanal del camino (our next two plotted destinaciones) - we have been using the pdf provided on here and looking online.

Confused - since we thought albergue were first come first served - some of them have double rooms to book or some (very few) dorm rooms but not really near our route. Could anyone offer some help on this?

I stayed there on my first camino it is a wonderful place to spend the night. One of the best on the CF. A donativo so give generously.
I have also stayed here on another camino. The refugio was closed. I read in Gronze it is the first albergue that opened in Rabanal. Wonderful place to stay also and the owners could not be nicer.

Albergue Nuestra Señora del Pilar | Albergue de Peregrinos en Rabanal del Camino | Gronze.com

Información del albergue de peregrinos Albergue Nuestra Señora del Pilar, en Rabanal del Camino: Precio, plazas, características, etc...

www.gronze.com

 

[mattythedog]

We are in Santa Marina del rey staying at a hostel costing 59 euros after redirecting from our destination which was San Martin del Camino.

We found the albergues were all booked or closed after looking on booking.com and have found the same for astorga and rabanal del camino (our next two plotted destinaciones) - we have been using the pdf provided on here and looking online.

Confused - since we thought albergue were first come first served - some of them have double rooms to book or some (very few) dorm rooms but not really near our route. Could anyone offer some help on this?

I reserved a bed in an albergue in Sarria 5 days ago at 1500 by phone. Arrived 1830 to find only 5 others in the large, very nice albergue. We all got lower bunks well spaced. Walked into the next 3 Albergues after 1700 on the way to Santiago with no reservations and got entire dorm room to myself at each place. My advice: stay off Booking.com

 

[david g]

Technology certainly is showing that it can be a double edged sword when it comes to finding a bed for the night. As more and more pilgrims opt to use booking.com to find a bed they’re contending with more and more pilgrims using that same site trying to do the exact same thing and end up believing (falsely) that there’s nothing available for them. My advice is to put away your phone, walk until you get where you wish to be and then ask in person if a bed is available

 

[Juspassinthru]

Wise Pilgrim was a big help, I just finished and with 1exception, we had few problems. Absolutely call/WhatsApp directly, the Booking message is something like “nothing available on Booking.com” which means their allotted rooms/beds are booked. They also have a message that says something like nothing available in Rabinal. Nothing available on Booking.com. Alda hostels is showing up in many of the larger towns, we found them very affordable but that depends on your budget and if you’re sharing. In León for example, we found an albergue for 17€ each or the Alda hotel for 40€. Private bath, sheets and towels were worth 3€ each to up. Once again, depends upon your budget.

Good luck.

 

[CWBuff]

I stayed in Albergue La Senda in Rabanal. Very nice place - right on Camino path; cannot miss it! 10€ pp
Nice restaurant as well

 

[trecile]

I stayed in Albergue La Senda in Rabanal. Very nice place - right on Camino path; cannot miss it! 10€ pp
Nice restaurant as well

I stayed there on my first Camino in 2016. My criteria at the time was an albergue with a dryer since bedbugs were found in my room in Astorga.

 

[PilgrimRoberto]

This is all very, very helpful. I'm starting my first Camino in 3 weeks (June 7, from SJPdP), and this is my first posting here. Is it too early to try booking albergues, at least the first few stages, such as in Orisson, and Rancevalles? And what is a good "donativo" range? Want to make sure to show proper respect and support. Thanks for any help!

 

[Molly Cassidy]

This is all very, very helpful. I'm starting my first Camino in 3 weeks (June 7, from SJPdP), and this is my first posting here. Is it too early to try booking albergues, at least the first few stages, such as in Orisson, and Rancevalles? And what is a good "donativo" range? Want to make sure to show proper respect and support. Thanks for any help!

Definitely book Roncevalles. You'll be lucky to get a bed at Orisson, but it's worth a look. There is also Borda, or consider taking the Valcarlos route and breaking the journey there.

 

[PilgrimRoberto]

Definitely book Roncevalles. You'll be lucky to get a bed at Orisson, but it's worth a look. There is also Borda, or consider taking the Valcarlos route and breaking the journey there.

Thanks, good advice!

 

[Kirkie]

This is all very, very helpful. I'm starting my first Camino in 3 weeks (June 7, from SJPdP), and this is my first posting here. Is it too early to try booking albergues, at least the first few stages, such as in Orisson, and Rancevalles? And what is a good "donativo" range? Want to make sure to show proper respect and support. Thanks for any help!

Typos can make a mess of posts! You are very welcome, says I, a mere member.
Donativo range: many opinions. What would you give if you had to? What do think is the right amount? Don't stint.
Cast your bread upon the waters (when the tide is coming in).

Try, if possible, to contact places directly, if you need to book ahead, although using the websites to give you ideas.

 

[trecile]

Is it too early to try booking albergues, at least the first few stages, such as in Orisson, and Rancevalles?

Definitely not too early for either. You should also look at Auberge Borda instead of Orisson. I haven't had a chance to stay there, but it looks nicer than Orisson.

Auberge Borda | Authentic Hostel Accommodations

Experience the charm and comfort of Auberge Borda, an authentic hostel located on the GR 65 trail in Saint-Michel, FR. Enjoy stunning views and a cozy atmosphere.

www.aubergeborda.com

 

[trecile]

If you can't get a place at either Borda or Orisson you can book two nights in SJPdP and use Express Bourricot's Mountain Shuttle, which must be booked in advance.

Passengers transport - Express Bourricot

www.expressbourricot.com

 

[PilgrimRoberto]

Cast your bread upon the waters (when the tide is coming in).

Try, if possible, to contact places directly, if you need to book ahead, although using the websites to give you ideas.

Copy that, thanks.

Definitely not too early for either. You should also look at Auberge Borda instead of Orisson.

Excellent advice, thanks. Will def check Auberge Borda out.

 

[CWBuff]

Hello @PilgrimRoberto
Usually the general advice is to book as far as Pamplona but you might wish to go farther given latest developments.
As far as donations go we are of the mind that a donativo should reasonably equal any private accommodation; so say roughly €15 for a bunk and another €10-15 for dinner &€5 for breakfast if offered
Remember that donativos support the Pilgrims that sometimes cannot afford high costs of Caminos; hence if it's much less burden on those of us who are more fortunate we should act accordingly
Good luck and Buen Camino

P.S. some of my friends did SJPdP to Espinal yesterday (~34km) as everything in between was booked solid and even in Espinal it was 2nd albergue they stopped at...
This is like Exodus or something....

 

[OK20090]

Definitely not too early for either. You should also look at Auberge Borda instead of Orisson. I haven't had a chance to stay there, but it looks nicer than Orisson.

Auberge Borda | Authentic Hostel Accommodations

Experience the charm and comfort of Auberge Borda, an authentic hostel located on the GR 65 trail in Saint-Michel, FR. Enjoy stunning views and a cozy atmosphere.

www.aubergeborda.com

The Albergue in Borda was amazing. Stay there for sure if you can -you won’t regret it!

 

[CWBuff]

The Albergue in Borda was amazing. Stay there for sure if you can -you won’t regret it!

If one can get in

 

[trecile]

This is like Exodus or something..

Or a typical May on the Camino Francés.

 

[david g]

This is all very, very helpful. I'm starting my first Camino in 3 weeks (June 7, from SJPdP), and this is my first posting here. Is it too early to try booking albergues, at least the first few stages, such as in Orisson, and Rancevalles? And what is a good "donativo" range? Want to make sure to show proper respect and support. Thanks for any help!

If you want to book Orisson or Roncessvalles it’s never too early. As for the donativo albergues a fair price is at a minimum what you would pay at a private albergue.

 

[Hans-Georg Goebel]

I reserved a bed in an albergue in Sarria 5 days ago at 1500 by phone. Arrived 1830 to find only 5 others in the large, very nice albergue. We all got lower bunks well spaced. Walked into the next 3 Albergues after 1700 on the way to Santiago with no reservations and got entire dorm room to myself at each place. My advice: stay off Booking.com

great and what do you do if you can't find a bed at the planned location? Not everyone is in a position to simply walk another 8-10-15 kilometres. So my beds from Astorga on Monday are all reserved and that's a reassuring feeling for me (77 years old)

 

[truenorthpilgrm]

And what is a good "donativo" range? Want to make sure to show proper respect and support.

My guiding light in that department is: pay whatever I would pay at say, a private albergue. Donativos are special places (IMHO) and I want to make sure I "pay it forward" (as there's always someone who thinks donativos are free). Also, if I can afford a plane ticket to Spain, I can afford to compensate donativos for their offerings.

 

[PilgrimRoberto]

The Albergue in Borda was amazing. Stay there for sure if you can -you won’t regret it!

Wow, that does look amazing! They are currently booked (only 4 beds) but I sent a message just in case there's a cancellation. Thanks!

 

[PilgrimRoberto]

Hello @PilgrimRoberto
Usually the general advice is to book as far as Pamplona...

P.S. some of my friends did SJPdP to Espinal yesterday (~34km) as everything in between was booked solid...

Super good advice, thanks. Will definitely cover the donativos as you described, it's nice to know it may well help other pilgrims. And wow, I'm now motivated to find and book accomodation from SJPdP ASAP!

 

[PilgrimRoberto]

Or a typical May on the Camino Francés.

Is early June any better? Or worse??

 

[PilgrimRoberto]

Ok, I have booked Albergue de Peregrinos in Roncevalles, and, well, it seems it will be challenging to get there from SJPdP in good form, but I am motivated to train and prep for it.

Thank you all for your shared experience and advice. My movie quote side wants to say "Witness the awesome power of this fully operational..." community site.

 

[CWBuff]

If it is seems to be too challenging to go Napoleon Route then look into Valcarlos.
One way or another, if the weather cooperates start early and just take it slow with plenty of rest stops. You now have a bed in Roncesvalles so you don't have to race

 

[PilgrimRoberto]

If it is seems to be too challenging to go Napoleon Route then look into Valcarlos.
One way or another, if the weather cooperates start early and just take it slow with plenty of rest stops. You now have a bed in Roncesvalles so you don't have to race

Yes, that seems to be key. Will keep well in mind. Thanks.