May 1st, 2025 First Camino

[CharlesT]

Hello,

I will be starting my first Camino leaving Saint Jean May 1, 2025 starting my Camino Frances to Santiago. I am more than excited to begin this trip meeting fellow pilgrims along the way. I am traveling to Paris April 22nd with my husband spending a week with him, then off to St. Jean April 29th by myself. Traveling from Atlanta GA. Just found this website and forum, appreciate all the helpful threads. I am exploring travel options to SJ and read many posts about flights/trains.

See you soon,
Charles

 

[trecile]

As you will be starting your Camino from SJPdP during one of the busiest weeks of the year for pilgrims starting there I recommend that you book your accommodation up to or through Pamplona. After that the pilgrim traffic tends to spread out, and there are more intermediate towns to stop in.
If you would like to split the first stage of St Jean to Roncesvalles into two days by staying at Orisson or Borda you need to book that NOW.

Refuge Orisson

www.refuge-orisson.com

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

Also, be aware that May 1st is a holiday throughout most of Europe, so the numbers of pilgrims starting around that day can be exceptionally high.

Buen Camino!

 

[CharlesT]

As you will be starting your Camino from SJPdP during one of the busiest weeks of the year for pilgrims starting there I recommend that you book your accommodation up to or through Pamplona. After that the pilgrim traffic tends to spread out, and there are more intermediate towns to stop in.
If you would like to split the first stage of St Jean to Roncesvalles into two days by staying at Orisson or Borda you need to book that NOW.

Refuge Orisson

www.refuge-orisson.com

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

Also, be aware that May 1st is a holiday throughout most of Europe, so the numbers of pilgrims starting around that day can be exceptionally high.

Buen Camino!

Thanks so much for the comments, I can move my start to April 30th, earliest available. Forgot about the holiday. I have started to look at booking rooms in SJPDP, some auberges in SJ are not taking resv until January 15th. Also considering making my way to Roncesvalles first day, but also considered booking at the two you mentioned as a backup.

Thanks again!

 

[trecile]

Thanks so much for the comments, I can move my start to April 30th, earliest available.

I don't think that a day will make a difference, though since you are arriving in SJPDP on the 29th it's reasonable to start on the 30th. It's a small town, so you don't need much time to see the highlights. I just wanted you to be aware and not be caught out with larger numbers of pilgrims than you expected.

You can also book the albergue in Roncesvalles now. It does fill up during busy weeks.

Book your bed - Pilgrims' hostel

alberguederoncesvalles.com

 

[CharlesT]

Thanks so much for the comments, I can move my start to April 30th, earliest available. Forgot about the holiday. I have started to look at booking rooms in SJPDP, some auberges in SJ are not taking resv until January 15th. Also considering making my way to Roncesvalles first day, but also considered booking at the two you mentioned as a backup.

Thanks again!

Any auberge recommendations in Zubiri?

 

[trecile]

I've stayed at El Palo de Avellano twice, and Albergue Suseia gets excellent reviews.

If you haven't used it yet, Gronze is an excellent resource for albergues and other accommodations.

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

 

[davesfitforlife]

Hello,

I will be starting my first Camino leaving Saint Jean May 1, 2025 starting my Camino Frances to Santiago. I am more than excited to begin this trip meeting fellow pilgrims along the way. I am traveling to Paris April 22nd with my husband spending a week with him, then off to St. Jean April 29th by myself. Traveling from Atlanta GA. Just found this website and forum, appreciate all the helpful threads. I am exploring travel options to SJ and read many posts about flights/trains.

See you soon,
Charles

Good Luck and congratulations. Have a great safe trip!

 

[MamaBear]

Thanks so much for the comments, I can move my start to April 30th, earliest available. Forgot about the holiday. I have started to look at booking rooms in SJPDP, some auberges in SJ are not taking resv until January 15th. Also considering making my way to Roncesvalles first day, but also considered booking at the two you mentioned as a backup.

Thanks again!

I’ll arrive to SJ the 1st and start 2nd
I will shuttle on the first from BIQ to a Gite
In case you see me around

 

[CharlesT]

I’ll arrive to SJ the 1st and start 2nd
I will shuttle on the first from BIQ to a Gite
In case you see me around

Will definitely look out for you!

 

[CharlesT]

Good Luck and congratulations. Have a great safe trip!

Thanks for the kind words!

 

[Anthony18]

Hello,

I will be starting my first Camino leaving Saint Jean May 1, 2025 starting my Camino Frances to Santiago. I am more than excited to begin this trip meeting fellow pilgrims along the way. I am traveling to Paris April 22nd with my husband spending a week with him, then off to St. Jean April 29th by myself. Traveling from Atlanta GA. Just found this website and forum, appreciate all the helpful threads. I am exploring travel options to SJ and read many posts about flights/trains.

See you soon,
Charles

I'm excited for you! Best of luck and buen camino.

 

[Smithstorian]

This is my first post and I haven't introduced myself yet, but I thought this might be a good place to ask: I have also been planning starting from SJPdP around May 1, indeed very similar to your plan going to Paris a few days last week of April and then on down to SJPdP though I have flexibility...would experts here recommend I start a few weeks earlier or a few weeks later to avoid the busiest time? Or would a matter of weeks on either side make a difference? I don't want to overthink things but if those few days around May 1 are extra busy I have flexibility. Thank you in advance for any suggestions. I plan to introduce myself here on the Forum in the next day or so.

 

[trecile]

This is my first post and I haven't introduced myself yet, but I thought this might be a good place to ask: I have also been planning starting from SJPdP around May 1, indeed very similar to your plan going to Paris a few days last week of April and then on down to SJPdP though I have flexibility...would experts here recommend I start a few weeks earlier or a few weeks later to avoid the busiest time? Or would a matter of weeks on either side make a difference? I don't want to overthink things but if those few days around May 1 are extra busy I have flexibility. Thank you in advance for any suggestions. I plan to introduce myself here on the Forum in the next day or so.

I think that a few weeks later would be better. Easter is April 20 this year, and there will be quite a few people starting the Camino beginning the week before Easter. Then the first two weeks of May are typically very busy for those starting from SJPdP. It starts to slow down later in the month. Whenever you go I would recommend booking up through Pamplona because there are some "pinch points" before that. After Pamplona the pilgrim traffic tends to spread out and there are more intermediate towns to stop in.