Percentage of albergues that close in the Fall?

[Kasee]

I’m planning my fourth Frances for September/October of 2025. I’m bringing two friends from England, and they would prefer walking late September and finishing in late October.

I’ve started in early September on a past trip, but remember that many of the private albergues began closing for the season at the end of September. I know that the municipal albergues stay open all year, but is it going to be tough to find private/paroquial albergues open through October? (They would like to stay in private rooms sometimes, but their budgets don’t allow for a lot of hotel stays.)

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Vacajoe]

It’s more difficult and you may have to walk longer stages, but there are enough Albergues open in the off-season that you can do it (and late October is still considered the regular season on most routes). Your best bet is to look at Gronze.com or similar for closure dates. Note that they can change year-to-year, but this year’s schedule will certainly be reflective of future dates. The closer you get to SdC, the more that you’ll find open.

 

[henrythedog]

You’re in the intermediate period before the aprinca winter list starts.

You should make direct contact with those for the first few nights, then ask the hospitaleros wherever you’re staying. They’ll know.

 

[J Willhaus]

Not all municipal will stay open although there are enough public and privately owned albergues on the Camino Frances. Be aware that some hotels also close in the winter. If you are done by mid October you should still be fine.

 

[J Willhaus]

Once you reach Galicia, the Xunta albergues will be open as they are open all year.

 

[dreaming]

I walked CF 2023 October .I stayed in both public and private albergues plus hotels. The private albergues were open but some were full when I arrived.

 

[roving_rufus]

A few close in September but more close mid-October or end of October but by that point you will be closer to SdeC when more will still be open. But in a few places albergues get busy even full in autumn- which if it's the one albergue in a village can be problematic. I haven't yet found a full one but I know I got caught out in Hontanas in October last year as the municipal albergue was shut unexpectedly for a day or two leaving another albergue fairly full with just a few spaces left.
Gronze.com, wide pilgrim etc try hard to get the season for each albergue- but if you are heading somewhere with limited accomodation it's wise come October to message to check if open and book a bed even the night before or day of. And have a back-up plan with some funds in case you need to take a taxi

 

[Kasee]

Thank you!

 

[Kasee]

I walked CF 2023 October .I stayed in both public and private albergues plus hotels. The private albergues were open but some were full when I arrived.

Thank you!

 

[Kasee]

Once you reach Galicia, the Xunta albergues will be open as they are open all year.

Yup. Not so worried about the last week or ten days. thank you!

 

[davejsy]

I walked last year late September and finished 25th October (obviously also last year). I don't recall any closed Albergues and indeed it was still quite busy in places. I do recall thinking that some were beginning to wind down though at the end of a long busy season.

 

[Liica]

I’m planning my fourth Frances for September/October of 2025. I’m bringing two friends from England, and they would prefer walking late September and finishing in late October.

I’ve started in early September on a past trip, but remember that many of the private albergues began closing for the season at the end of September. I know that the municipal albergues stay open all year, but is it going to be tough to find private/paroquial albergues open through October? (They would like to stay in private rooms sometimes, but their budgets don’t allow for a lot of hotel stays.)

Thanks for your advice!

Updated list 2024
http://aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola as advised many establishments will still be open through to the end of October, as I understand it November 1 is the cut off. Also Nov 1 is the date when Spanish authorities close their section of the Napoleon Route between St Jean and Roncesvales. A very happy Buen Camino.

 

[BROWNCOUNTYBOB]

Kasee, my wife and I have hiked Camino Frances St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago four times, always in Sept - October. This is our favorite time to hike the camino due to cooler weather and fewer pilgrims. Our first CF we mostly stayed in municipal albergues, then on subsequent caminos we made advance reservations and were happy to pay the higher rate for a private room with private bathroom. We are planning a shorter camino frances in 2025 - from Leon to Santiago. We arrive in Madrid Sept 23, take a train to Leon the next day, then begin our camino from Leon Sept 25. We arrive in Santiago Oct 12. I was pleasantly surprised about the number of private albergues that are already accepting reservations. In fact, we now have reservations for every night! Most reservations we booked via Booking.com. Several we made direct via contact info on Gronze.com. A few places we stayed before and used that contact info. It required some persistence on book a few. A few places did not respond to their link on their website. I had to call a few places and use my limited Spanish to request a reservation. Now we need to make flight and train reservations, set up backpack transport via Jako trans. Excited to be hiking CF again! Good luck! Bob