What’s the queue time for the Compostela in Santiago?

[unaharty]

Hi everyone,

What’s the waiting time to get your Compostela like these days?

Last time I queued it was early October in 2022 (a double holy year) so it was very busy and we were waiting probably like 45 minutes - hour.

I am bringing a group of 15 and curious to understand the wait time in mid August so that I can plan around it.

Thanks in advance!
Úna

 

[Frankybaby66]

Depends on the time of day. I went a few weeks ago around 7pm and went straight to desk . . . No queue at all. . Very happy boy

 

[trecile]

I am bringing a group of 15 and curious to understand the wait time in mid August so that I can plan around it.

I believe that there's a special procedure for groups.

Here's the registration link for groups.

Groups Register | Pilgrim's welcome office

oficinadelperegrino.com

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Typically very short nowadays since they introduced the new electronic systems. It's often said: go to the toilet before you get your number because you won't have time between getting it and being called to the counter !
A large group will obviously cause a short back up. (I'm talking one of the groups of 100, not just 15).

 

[dougfitz]

I can only speak as a solo pilgrim - I don't have any experience how it might work with a group.

In 2022, near the start of the new pre-registration process, it took a fair bit longer than it has recently, maybe 45 minutes to an hour. I dozed off in the courtyard and wasn't keeping track of the time. In 2023, both time I arrived I was in the queue to the counter area almost immediately. The longest thing was when the very kind and gentle man at the counter had to correct a fairly obvious mistake in my registration data. It was a matter of moments to fix, not even minutes.

More, both times, the individuals had time to personalise the process by enquiring about my journey. The process might seem less personal than it once was, but clearly doesn't have to be devoid of personal interaction.

 

[Flog]

More, both times, the individuals had time to personalise the process by enquiring about my journey. The process might seem less personal than it once was, but clearly doesn't have to be devoid of personal interaction.

Happily, that is the feedback we get from most pilgrims these days.. a faster process but more time to engage with the pilgrim.

Budget for an hour, but you'll likely be in and out much faster..

 

[SabsP]

Happily, that is the feedback we get from most pilgrims these days.. a faster process but more time to engage with the pilgrim.

Budget for an hour, but you'll likely be in and out much faster..

That was also my experience last year.
I had one of the permanent workers and she was warm and professional.
My friends dealt with a volunteer who also engaged in a short talk about their impressions of the Camino.

Cheeers @Flog for all the hard work you and all the volunteers do in the Oficina.

 

[JabbaPapa]

It's somewhat of a how long is a piece of string question - - except that in any case, the piece of string is now shorter than it has been since the 1990s.

Waiting until there is no queue by the front door can be a good policy, as those in any queue will be managed quite swiftly in the current system ; apart from which, I have never seen an outside queue of more than a couple of dozen people in the 2020s.

There's nothing to worry about, and the volunteers and employees are very helpful.

 

[Pathfinder89]

I cannot speak about a group but the new registration system is very efficient. I was there on Good Friday at the end of March. There were about 3200 pilgrims who got a Compostela that day. I arrived at the office around 1 pm and I waited less than five minutes in line.

 

[trecile]

I am bringing a group of 15 and curious to understand the wait time in mid August so that I can plan around it.

A large group will obviously cause a short back up. (I'm talking one of the groups of 100, not just 15).

Happily, that is the feedback we get from most pilgrims these days.. a faster process but more time to engage with the pilgrim.

@Flog - what is the process for a group to receive Compostelas?

 

[Trekker One]

I never go the day of arrival, I go early the following morning, a few minutes before the office opens.
Usually less than ten minutes wait time.
My experience for the last five Compostelas.

 

[Flog]

@Flog - what is the process for a group to receive Compostelas?

I've never personally dealt with groups, other than to direct them downstairs to the group office, but usually one registers for all, and they're directed downstairs to the separate group office. If they are five or more, they are probably best to register as a group, it depends.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I didn't even know that existed. Last July I walked in with a group of 10 I met on the way, and I just left them at the normal office. They didn't mention anything when we met up again later. But perhaps they registered individually, rather than as a group.

 

[VNwalking]

Happily, that is the feedback we get from most pilgrims these days.. a faster process but more time to engage with the pilgrim.

I had a short but pretty deep conversation with the volunteer in April this year. Very touching, and the opposite of what I expected. (I suppose I thought automation on the front end would mean less personal contact at the desk - an irrational thought, in retrospect. In fact it means more time at the desk, and a more relaxed volunteer.)

Edited to add: the queue was short and fast. 5 minutes waiting, max.

 

[Flog]

I didn't even know that existed. Last July I walked in with a group of 10 I met on the way, and I just left them at the normal office. They didn't mention anything when we met up again later. But perhaps they registered individually, rather than as a group.

Do you mean ten individuals or an organised group of ten? There's little advantage for a group of pilgrims who've formed along the way to register as a group. Individual pilgrims tend to be independent by nature, and such a group is likely to be akin to herding cats anyway.

It's really aimed at tour groups, school groups, families etc, with a designated 'leader' who handles everything.

 

[gavaut]

My family received the Compostela two weeks ago. Six of us - we counted as a group. This meant a different room to the others. The room was large, perhaps 12 computers were available to complete our details, and two assistants walked around constantly to help. It was the middle of the day and reasonably busy. The entire process was very quick, maybe 20 minutes to get to the room, complete the details, and obtain the certificates. Efficient.

 

[Tim Floyd]

We went through the group queue last year with a family of three because one was an 10 year old child. The process was quick - almost no wait time. The new process is really fast. In 2017 we waited for hours. In 2023 we waited no more than 5 minutes.

 

[Mananath]

I just got mine yesterday. Got on line about 210pm (I had registered for my qr code the night before) and waited about 10 min. When I left at 230 there was no one online.

I found my experience with the person who gave me my Compostela to not be the greatest, it might have been a cultural/language issue but it seemed a bit antagonistic which began with an argument about how I filled out the online form. Oh well, it's my third Compostela and will inevitably remain in the tube until I lose it.

 

[Kirkie]

I just got mine yesterday. Got on line about 210pm (I had registered for my qr code the night before) and waited about 10 min. When I left at 230 there was no one online.

I found my experience with the person who gave me my Compostela to not be the greatest, it might have been a cultural/language issue but it seemed a bit antagonistic which began with an argument about how I filled out the online form. Oh well, it's my third Compostela and will inevitably remain in the tube until I lose it.

I am sorry to read your post. Which camino did you walk? Was everything ok? That is a bit of a silly question, but it just means: I hope that what you needed was what you received on your camino!
And today, are you enjoying Santiago?

 

[Mananath]

I am sorry to read your post. Which camino did you walk? Was everything ok? That is a bit of a silly question, but it just means: I hope that what you needed was what you received on your camino!
And today, are you enjoying Santiago?

The Via Podiensis and Frances. Everything was great and I have been happily enjoying Santiago and running into friends I haven't seen in weeks! Now if only it could be a bit cooler here... Haha

 

[unaharty]

Thanks everyone! I will follow the group process, but a short waiting time seems promising!

 

[Canche]

They have an online system. I highly recommend it. You get a QR code, show it at the entrance and you get in quickly

 

[GailGwyn]

I believe that there's a special procedure for groups.

Here's the registration link for groups.

Groups Register | Pilgrim's welcome office

oficinadelperegrino.com

The groups are sent outside, across the courtyard, down the steps into the office on the left for their Compostella.

 

[Orford girl]

I cannot speak about a group but the new registration system is very efficient. I was there on Good Friday at the end of March. There were about 3200 pilgrims who got a Compostela that day. I arrived at the office around 1 pm and I waited less than five minutes in line.

OK now that I've seen the different times - yuck. Does one have to register to stand in line.

 

[dougfitz]

OK now that I've seen the different times - yuck. Does one have to register to stand in line.

No, one registers so all your details are available to the pilgrim office staff when you reach the counter. You get a queue place when you arrive so thet you know when to move to the end of the (short) queue at the door to the counter area. When the queues were longer, this was a significant advantage. Now, the delays are quite short, and it might be less obvious why this was the significant advance that it was.

 

[tomjane40]

Hi everyone,

What’s the waiting time to get your Compostela like these days?

Last time I queued it was early October in 2022 (a double holy year) so it was very busy and we were waiting probably like 45 minutes - hour.

I am bringing a group of 15 and curious to understand the wait time in mid August so that I can plan around it.

Thanks in advance!
Úna

We were there June 26th about noon. I had filled out our request earlier in the day. We walked right in, no wait at all. Pre Registration is the best.