Book ahead on Camino Portugues in late September-October?

[cccsss14]

Hello everyone!

I have read a few forums here surrounding booking ahead and I have a similar question. It seems as though nobody has an exact answer for this but I thought that I would ask anyways just in case. My wife and I are planning on doing the Camino Portugues starting in Porto in late September and ending in Santiago de Compostela around October 10th. This seems to be the start of the shoulder season so we were hoping to be able to just show up at different albergues and be okay to stay there, but I also understand that some places might be limiting the amount of people (even if they do have more beds). We would rather be safe than sorry, but we also would love the free feeling of being able to just show up and book. So, what do you all think? Should we book ahead to be safe or is this late enough in the season to not have to worry about it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[henrythedog]

Personally, I wouldn’t. Recent reports seem to indicate substantial pressure on accommodation; but that was not abnormal in pre-Covid times in July and August.
Perhaps pre-book the first couple of nights and assess the situation when you get there?

 

[efdoucette]

I find there is also a freedom to book ahead. If I know I have a spot booked then I can enjoy my day, explore my surroundings a little more, have longer breaks if I want, chat with locals along the way. No pressure to get to the destination. Many ways to walk a Camino, all good.

 

[cccsss14]

Personally, I wouldn’t. Recent reports seem to indicate substantial pressure on accommodation; but that was not abnormal in pre-Covid times in July and August.
Perhaps pre-book the first couple of nights and assess the situation when you get

This is a good idea, I hadn't though of just testing the waters the first few nights and going from there. Thank you!

 

[cccsss14]

I find there is also a freedom to book ahead. If I know I have a spot booked then I can enjoy my day, explore my surroundings a little more, have longer breaks if I want, chat with locals along the way. No pressure to get to the destination. Many ways to walk a Camino, all good.

This is a very good point that I had not really thought of either. I did read on some forums that some people had to rush to the next place which would be stressful/defeat some of the purpose of the Camino. It would be nice to go at our own pace w/o having to worry about whether or not we will find accommodation. Thanks for the response.

 

[Ksalud]

Hello everyone!

I have read a few forums here surrounding booking ahead and I have a similar question. It seems as though nobody has an exact answer for this but I thought that I would ask anyways just in case. My wife and I are planning on doing the Camino Portugues starting in Porto in late September and ending in Santiago de Compostela around October 10th. This seems to be the start of the shoulder season so we were hoping to be able to just show up at different alburgues and be okay to stay there, but I also understand that some places might be limiting the amount of people (even if they do have more beds). We would rather be safe than sorry, but we also would love the free feeling of being able to just show up and book. So, what do you all think? Should we book ahead to be safe or is this late enough in the season to not have to worry about it?

Thanks in advance!

Keep in mind that many Pilgrims have delayed their journey. There will be many pilgrims hoping for Albergues along the way. Hostals and Hotels are the other options.

 

[cccsss14]

Keep in mind that many Pilgrims have delayed their journey. There will be many pilgrims hoping for Albergues along the way. Hostals and Hotels are the other options

Do you mean that many pilgrims have delayed their journey from 2020 to now so it will be busier or do you mean that many pilgrims have delayed their journey now to next year so it will be slower? I think you meant the former but just want to be sure.

Thank you.

 

[Gerard Griffin]

It's impossible to know; I've just cycled the Frances and the Portugese central route, and it's been difficult to find beds, with albergues shut and bed capacity restricted. Of course this is peak tourist season, with Spanish and Portugese kids and couples and organised groups walking. But the pent-up demand from outside Spain will probably descend in the autumn. It's a good idea to book a few days ahead, as has been suggested. It's also useful to pack either a lightweight tent or a tarp in case of emergency. Another expedient is to be outside the door of a municipal hostel, which doesn't accept bookings, at 1 pm when it opens. It adds to the challenge, and the adventure, and of course the Camino always provides . . . Buen Camino

 

[cccsss14]

I've just cycled the Frances and the Portugese central route

Sounds fun!

it's been difficult to find beds, with albergues shut and bed capacity restricted. Of course this is peak tourist season, with Spanish and Portugese kids and couples and organised groups walking. But the pent-up demand from outside Spain will probably descend in the autumn. It's a good idea to book a few days ahead, as has been suggested. It's also useful to pack either a lightweight tent or a tarp in case of emergency. Another expedient is to be outside the door of a municipal hostel, which doesn't accept bookings, at 1 pm when it opens. It adds to the challenge, and the adventure, and of course the Camino always provides . . . Buen Camino

This is good to know, like you and others have mentioned, I think our best bet is to book the first 2-3 nights and see how busy it is (understanding that the last 100km will be busier) and go from there.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Colette Z]

Just an FYI, I am starting from Lisbon Oct 9th and will prebook (for the first time) the first 10-14 days. The first 4 reservations (hotels, hostels, albergues) all contacted me for a copy of my proof of vaccination in order to honour my reservation. No problem there plus one owner said the rapid self-done Covid test kit can be purchased at supermarkets or done by pharmacist. So that’s good to know. Takes the pressure off.

 

[tpmchugh]

Hello everyone!

I have read a few forums here surrounding booking ahead and I have a similar question. It seems as though nobody has an exact answer for this but I thought that I would ask anyways just in case. My wife and I are planning on doing the Camino Portugues starting in Porto in late September and ending in Santiago de Compostela around October 10th. This seems to be the start of the shoulder season so we were hoping to be able to just show up at different albergues and be okay to stay there, but I also understand that some places might be limiting the amount of people (even if they do have more beds). We would rather be safe than sorry, but we also would love the free feeling of being able to just show up and book. So, what do you all think? Should we book ahead to be safe or is this late enough in the season to not have to worry about it?

Thanks in advance!

Personally like the freedom to stop early if I feel like it and even phoning to cancel booking, I fear that already some pilgrim may have been turned away because a bed was reserved for me. Seen pilgrims being turned away in Uterga because all the beds were reserved, (I got the last unreserved one). Next morning all those beds were empty with reserved signs still on them. That was 12 pilgrims at least who did not get a bed there. All I ever book is my first two nights or three if crossing the Pyrenees. I have been walking since 2013 and never had a problem. Turned away once in Acebo but parochial albergue round the corner had plenty of room. Seen people being turned away in Santa Catalina but local ladies were outside the albergue offering bed and meal in their homes. In my experience, you will never be sorry, there will always be somewhere. Never met a pilgrim yet who had to sleep in a doorway somewhere. Having said that, there may be less albergues open due to the pandemic. The one thing I always found was never to worry about anything. It always turned out OK on the night. Wish I could be with you but this year has not been for me. Buen Camino

 

[Rachel from Seattle]

Hello everyone!

I have read a few forums here surrounding booking ahead and I have a similar question. It seems as though nobody has an exact answer for this but I thought that I would ask anyways just in case. My wife and I are planning on doing the Camino Portugues starting in Porto in late September and ending in Santiago de Compostela around October 10th. This seems to be the start of the shoulder season so we were hoping to be able to just show up at different albergues and be okay to stay there, but I also understand that some places might be limiting the amount of people (even if they do have more beds). We would rather be safe than sorry, but we also would love the free feeling of being able to just show up and book. So, what do you all think? Should we book ahead to be safe or is this late enough in the season to not have to worry about it?

Thanks in advance!

Please reserve a night at Casa Fernanda. Great experience worth planning ahead for.