Questions about availability of facilities in November.

[TulasiPriya]

UPDATE: Thanks to all who gave practical advice. I contacted Jacotrans, and they said that they would transport for the price of a taxi, i.e. €40 for up to four bags per stage. Now I'm curious to know what they charge during the regular season, and how much Correos charges.

I have some thinking to do.

* * * * * * *

Buen Camino, peregrinos! It's getting closer for me, and I. am. TERRIFIED.

But I'm just trying to keep plugging away at my preparations.

How difficult is it to get a taxi in the off-season (November-December)?

Can I get luggage transport? Because of some medical needs, I'd like to bring a small suitcase or overnight bag. I've heard you can only transport backpacks. I plan to stay in private rooms whenever possible (or finances dictate), if that makes a difference.

 

[CWBuff]

Hello and... take a deep breath and come DOWN!
You are NOT going to the middle of Sahara - you are travelling through SPAIN!

Most of the albergues, bars and restaurants can and will call you a taxi. Sometimes you have to wait for one but come it will - no worries

Tons of companies provide luggage transport on the way. Most albergues have the envelopes available. All you have to do is to let them (transport co) know where to ... know where they need to take it (write it with your name on the said envelope, put the money into the envelope at going rate - usually 5-7 E and give them a call or SMS via WhatsAp to let them know your name and which albergue to pick it up). You cannot transport HARDSHELL suitcases, but backpacks and duffel bags are fine; that said I obviously would not pack one to weight 1000kg (I think the limit is about 50-75kg, someone please correct me or confirm).
The only downside to this is - you must book accomodations ahead since you do have to let the Co know where to take your bag. That takes away being spontaneous and flexible but... you win some you lose some

its all good. and it will be fine. and there will be folks (hospitaleras included) who will help you on the spot if need be

Relax and "get excited" for th right reason

Good Luck and Buen Camino!

 

[Bradypus]

Can I get luggage transport?

Tons of companies provide luggage transport on the way

Most of the luggage transport services end in late October. As far as I know the only regular services in November are on the section of the Frances from Sarria onwards and on the Portugues from Tui.

 

[lettinggo]

Hola

I think you can use the Spanish poststal service all year for transportastion.

Look here :

Paq Mochila from Correos - Backpack transfers

Keep your Camino de Santiago experiences in your backpack, without having to carry it. Backpack transfers along the Camino de Santiago

www.correos.es

Else look here at this thread:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/bag-transport-companies-on-the-camino-a-list.80252/

Regarding Taxi then you can compare Spain with any other western country. There will be taxis around all year.

For now - take it easy.
Focus on getting most of your gear ready and get yourself to your starting point.
The rest will unfold for you as you walk - one day at the time.

Remember:
Everything flows
Flow with it

I hope this helps.

Buen Camino
Lettinggo

 

[TulasiPriya]

Most of the luggage transport services end in late October. As far as I know the only regular services in November are on the section of the Frances from Sarria onwards and on the Portugues from Tui.

I hope that is not actually the case (pun intended).

 

[TulasiPriya]

Hola

I think you can use the Spanish poststal service all year for transportastion.

Look here :

Correos Pilgrim Paq for luggage transfers| Correos.es

Correos will send your bags to the start or end of your Camino so you just need to pick them up. And take all your Camino excitement with you!

www.correos.es

Else look here at this thread:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/bag-transport-companies-on-the-camino-a-list.80252/

Regarding Taxi then you can compare Spain with any other western country. There will be taxis around all year.

For now - take it easy.
Focus on getting most of your gear ready and get yourself to your starting point.
The rest will unfold for you as you walk - one day at the time.

Remember:
Everything flows
Flow with it

I hope this helps.

Buen Camino
Lettinggo

Thank you. I looked at the link and the Correo is for sending your stuff to Santiago. I'm talking about transporting to my next night's accommodation.

 

[lettinggo]

Hola

Take another look.

You can send your backpack/luggage/.. from the place you are staying to the next one - one stage to the next stage - each day.

Lettinggo

 

[Peregrandma]

Check with Jacotrans. We used them in March on the CF.

 

[trecile]

I think you can use the Spanish poststal service all year for transportastion.

As @Bradypus said, Correos does not cover the entire Camino Francés in the winter. You would have to check with the other transport companies to see if they do.

Rucksack transfer on the Camino de Santiago

Correos transfers your rucksack, suitcase or luggage along the Camino de Santiago stage by stage

www.elcaminoconcorreos.com

 

[ParisOslo]

Which Camino are you walking and were are you starting? Spain Portugal France?

 

[lettinggo]

Hola

Paq Mochila from Correos - Backpack transfers

Keep your Camino de Santiago experiences in your backpack, without having to carry it. Backpack transfers along the Camino de Santiago

www.correos.es

I doesn't really say that they dont transport in winter.
If you try to send a package then you can enter the date for pickup all winter.
So it seems like it is possible to send during winter.

It may just be due to lack of updating the page.

Lettinggo

 

[J Willhaus]

Correos transport is Easter to Oct 31 except for Sarria to Santiago and Tui to Santiago. I am not aware of any other service that transports Nov to Easter timeframe.

 

[J Willhaus]

Hola

Paq Mochila from Correos - Backpack transfers

Keep your Camino de Santiago experiences in your backpack, without having to carry it. Backpack transfers along the Camino de Santiago

www.correos.es

I doesn't really say that they dont transport in winter.
If you try to send a package then you can enter the date for pickup all winter.
So it seems like it is possible to send during winter.

It may just be due to lack of updating the page.

Lettinggo

Look at the drop down arrow called delivery details.

 

[J Willhaus]

Starting in November you can see which albergues are open on the aprinca website.

https://www.aprinca.com/Subir/subidas/albergues.htm

 

[lettinggo]

Look at the drop down arrow called delivery details.

I see.

So from 1 November it is only from Sarria to Santiago.

Thanks

Lettinggo

 

[J Willhaus]

Taxis should be available. Some have contracts to transport school children in rural areas so it is possible you may need to wait a bit depending on the time of day. You can usually ask at a bar or your lodging for a number to carry with you the next day in case of need.

 

[henrythedog]

Buen Camino, peregrinos! It's getting closer for me, and I. am. TERRIFIED.

But I'm just trying to keep plugging away at my preparations.

How difficult is it to get a taxi in the off-season (November-December)?

Can I get luggage transport? Because of some medical needs, I'd like to bring a small suitcase or overnight bag. I've heard you can only transport backpacks. I plan to stay in private rooms whenever possible (or finances dictate), if that makes a difference.

You’re going to have to help us out with which route and from where (although I could venture a guess) and when. Many factors are specific to those three variables.

 

[J Willhaus]

This post shows up under the Camino Frances heading.

 

[trecile]

This post shows up under the Camino Frances heading.

Thanks. Now we just need to know how much of the Camino Francés - starting from SJPdP, Burgos, León, Sarria??

 

[Pafayac]

Buen Camino, peregrinos! It's getting closer for me, and I. am. TERRIFIED.

(...)

How difficult is it to get a taxi in the off-season (November-December)?

If you are terrified and have medical needs, perhaps you should not walk off-season.
Could you review your planning and start in spring ?

 

[TulasiPriya]

You’re going to have to help us out with which route and from where (although I could venture a guess) and when. Many factors are specific to those three variables.

I'm posting in the Camino Frances thread, so I didn't think I needed to specify.

This post shows up under the Camino Frances heading.

Yes, thank you. So I'm eager to hear what advice @henrythedog has to offer.

 

[TulasiPriya]

(...)


If you are terrified and have medical needs, perhaps you should not walk off-season.
Could you review your planning and start in spring ?

I'm just overstating my anxiety, that's all. I'm not terrified for any medical reason. No intentions of starting in the spring. It's now or (maybe) never.

"Medical needs" is shorthand for minor things I use to function optimally, not lifesaving devices or medications. If the facilities are there, November will be fine, until it's not. And if they're not, I'll prepare for that.

 

[trecile]

I'm posting in the Camino Frances thread, so I didn't think I needed to specify.

We still need to know your starting point to give the best advice.

 

[dbier]

Based on the above notes on luggage transport, looks like she'll be starting from Sarria, as no other service appears to be available in November on the Frances.

Given that this is her first, and she wants to use luggage transport, and that she's traveling during a season when many places are closed, I rather think that she * should* plan for Sarria to Santiago.

 

[TulasiPriya]

Thanks. Now we just need to know how much of the Camino Francés - starting from SJPdP, Burgos, León, Sarria??

Considering to start from Pamplona, but am considering SJPdP if the weather is good.

 

[TulasiPriya]

Based on the above notes on luggage transport, looks like she'll be starting from Sarria, as no other service appears to be available in November on the Frances.

Given that this is her first, and she wants to use luggage transport, and that she's traveling during a season when many places are closed, I rather think that she * should* plan for Sarria to Santiago.

If I can manage my backpack, I may not need transport. Just trying to figure out what will be available.

 

[dbier]

Definitely check the aprina website trecile gave you, then. Many hostels/ cafés/tiendas will be closed by Nov

 

[WalkingLester]

Most of the luggage transport services end in late October. As far as I know the only regular services in November are on the section of the Frances from Sarria onwards and on the Portugues from Tui.

We used Jacotrans in 2023 from October 21 to November 17. From Pamplona to Astorga. The price varied and tended to increase as time went on, but was in the range listed above. Early on we started using the direct whatsapp number for the transporters. I probably couldn’t figure out how to use the website!. But communicating directly with the transporter is the way to go. Often I would forget to communicate our plans until the evening before, but since we were directly messaging a real person it worked out well. Sometimes the transporter would text me about tomorrows plans if I hadn’t contacted him by about 8 pm. We were passed on to four different transporters as we progressed westward. The old guy would give us the new guys WhatsApp. We used Jacotrans in 2024 in March/April (also low season) to go from Astorga to Finisterre. During all of this I think we were not always technically with Jacotrans, but rather with a network of colleagues who divided up the Camino geographically. Just my impression. Also, big bonus, several of the bag transporters were also taxi drivers or knew a taxi driver that would come pick us up.
Hopefully your experience will be like ours. I suppose there is no official guarantee. The key, as I saw it, was to text the transporter directly through WhatsApp. You still have to fill out the payment and schedule envelopes, but they attach new ones to your bag each time. You have to keep a supply of small bills in cash too. Buen camino. It will all work out

 

[trecile]

Definitely check the aprina website trecile gave you, then. Many hostels/ cafés/tiendas will be closed by Nov

Thanks for the attribution, but it was @J Willhaus who posted that link.

 

[dbier]

Thanks for the attribution, but it was @J Willhaus who posted that link.

 

[RemysMimi]

Thank you. I looked at the link and the Correo is for sending your stuff to Santiago. I'm talking about transporting to my next night's accommodation.

Correo also does luggage transport on the camino. I have used them. Paq Mocilla ( think that is the spelling). I did the Frances and they transported my bag daily. Only one small hiccup and that was because there was no one at my destination to let them in. They dropped it off at another albergue and notified me promptly. You have to know ahead of time where you are staying though because you fill out the information on line before you begin. If you have a change in plans you need to let them know ASAP.

Buen camino!

 

[traveler]

We have walked various parts of the CF and the Portuguese 5 different times in winter (November - January) and never had a problem getting a taxi.

 

[TulasiPriya]

We have walked various parts of the CF and the Portuguese 5 different times in winter (November - January) and never had a problem getting a taxi.

Thanks, that puts my mind at ease. I'm going to look at your posts to see what else I can learn from you.