Cost update

[Brian&Deb J.]

Asking for friends planning to walk the Frances from SJPP tp SdeC in 2025. What were folks who have walked during summer/fall 2024 been spending per day? They are a couple preferring a private room, no baggage transfers, standard pilgrim or del dia meals.
Thanks

 

[Tincatinker]

I allow €100 a day and bank any surplus

 

[J Willhaus]

Are you also shipping a bag? Will you eat only in restaurants daily? How will you manage laundry? These are all costs that are associated with private rooms. Between 100 and 150 euros per couple.

 

[donalomahony]

Asking for friends planning to walk in 2025. What were folks who have walked during summer/fall 2024 been pending per day? We are a couple preferring a private room.
Thanks

Asking for friends planning to walk in 2025. What were folks who have walked during summer/fall 2024 been pending per day? We are a couple preferring a private room.
Thanks

Which Camino?
Start point?
Planned km / miles per day?
Private room in Hotel or in Albergue (possibly shared bathroom)?
Pilgrims meal or Menu del Dia?
Alcohol or not?
Bag transfer?


Enjoy your planning and Buen Camino

 

[stewinyvr]

My costs for walking from SJPDP to SdC in September/October of this year were ~€29 per night for accommodation ( 33 nights in dorms, 8 in apartments or private rooms ). Other costs came to €27 per day, so around €56 per day. I did not forward my pack, so the other costs we mostly food/drink, ibuprofen and a small amount for entrance to museums/cathedrals. For most meals I either ate pilgrim meals where offered, when I had apartments I cooked my own food.

 

[Tim Floyd]

We budgeted 100 Euros a day per person. We stayed in modest but clean private rooms or small hotels, ate well, bought necessary supplies along the way, paid for laundry, and shipped my wife' bag. We had enough surplus for the occasional Parador splurge.

 

[Hans-Georg Goebel]

Asking for friends planning to walk in 2025. What were folks who have walked during summer/fall 2024 been pending per day? We are a couple preferring a private room.
Thanks

In recent years we have always had private rooms (pre-booked) and with a meal in a restaurant and other things, e.g. drinks, we spent an average of €100/day

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Asking for friends planning to walk the Frances from SJPP tp SdeC in 2025. What were folks who have walked during summer/fall 2024 been spending per day? They are a couple preferring a private room, no baggage transfers, standard pilgrim or del dia meals.
Thanks

I did it this year. For two people in private rooms, food and drinks, €100 a day would be thrifty, €150 a day would be comfortable. €200 euros a day would make it really nice.

And to stick with that hundred euro a day budget you probably have to book in advance. Cheaper rooms go quick.

Mostly I stayed in Albergues this year, but the occasional private room was about €50 for a single. Hotels in Spain charge extra for the second person. That same room would've been about 60 or €70 for two people.

Sometimes when I tried, I could not get private accommodations at a price I was willing to pay, it would be closer to €100. So, even if your friends are on the thrifty scheme, you'd have to plan that sometimes it might cost more, especially if it's a busy time of year like around May or September.

 

[el-pe]

Last year the complete Via de la Plata, this year San Salvador, Primitivo and Invierno. I budget $80, excluding travel costs. Split between albergues and private rooms. My general thoughts are that everything was higher in 2024, could be inflation or increased popularity of these routes.

 

[davejsy]

and shipped my wife

I had no idea they offered this service - did she still qualify for a Compostela?

 

[Tim Floyd]

I had no idea they offered this service - did she still qualify for a Compostela?

Funny. Good catch. She did qualify but she got there on her own power.

 

[susiestories]

My costs for walking from SJPDP to SdC in September/October of this year were ~€29 per night for accommodation ( 33 nights in dorms, 8 in apartments or private rooms ). Other costs came to €27 per day, so around €56 per day. I did not forward my pack, so the other costs we mostly food/drink, ibuprofen and a small amount for entrance to museums/cathedrals. For most meals I either ate pilgrim meals where offered, when I had apartments I cooked my own food.

Very interesting to read - I did the same route, same time, same length in 2014 and allowed €50 per day for hostels and food except for one day per week I gifted myself a private room for about €50 and a day off. I couriered my back pack roughly 10 times. Hostel prices then were €10-€15 per night. What are they now?

 

[stewinyvr]

Very interesting to read - I did the same route, same time, same length in 2014 and allowed €50 per day for hostels and food except for one day per week I gifted myself a private room for about €50 and a day off. I couriered my back pack roughly 10 times. Hostel prices then were €10-€15 per night. What are they now?

Hostel prices for me ranged from €10 to €24.50, with an average of €17.

 

[trecile]

Hostel prices then were €10-€15 per night.

That seems high for 2014. In 2016 I stayed in albergues that cost only €5 for many nights. There were some that were more, but generally less than €10.

 

[susiestories]

Hostel prices for me ranged from €10 to €24.50, with an average of €17.

Not bad then for a ten year comparison. Good to know, just in case I find my way back sooner rather than later!

 

[CWBuff]

Respectfully as I stated in numerous posts everyone should (sadly) forget anything pre-COVID. Prices doubled and sometimes even tripled. €15-20/day in, say, 2018 will not never be back

This statement is simply SHOCKING to me - €100 is "thrifty"..... but I guess its neither here nor there

did it this year. For two people in private rooms, food and drinks, €100 a day would be thrifty, €150 a day would be comfortable. €200 euros a day would make it really nice.

I would agree with general assessment of €100-150 per day

 

[henrythedog]

Respectfully as I stated in numerous posts everyone should (sadly) forget anything pre-COVID. Prices doubled and sometimes even tripled. €15-20/day in, say, 2018 will not never be back

This statement is simply SHOCKING to me - €100 is "thrifty"..... but I guess its neither here nor there


I would agree with general assessment of €100-150 per day

It’s the ‘private rooms’ bit that pushes the cost. Drop that provision and the cost can just about halve.

I do sometimes query those flying in from the US or Australia / NZ and then looking to budget-Camino.

 

[CTLawGal]

I do sometimes query those flying in from the US or Australia / NZ and then looking to budget-Camino

Good point!

 

[Tortilla]

I would agree with general assessment of €100-150 per day

Why do people on this forum try so hard to scare away potential pilgrims from going on the Camino?

 

[J Willhaus]

You can still do the Camino on a tighter budget, but lodging, meals, and extras like luggage transfer really do add to the budget. In January 2024 I allowed 25 euros per day in Galicia (10 euros albergue, meals 15 euros) per person for my student group. Bumped this up to 40 euros in Santiago and 50 euros in Madrid. It can be done with some cooking of meals together, etc. We came in under about budget for a 14 day trip.

No alcohol included per university policy. Students bought their own coffees (or wine beer) when an open cafe was available enroute.

It is possible, but many people tend to spend much more on lodging, bag transfer, food, and drink.

 

[davejsy]

Why do people on this forum try so hard to scare away potential pilgrims from going on the Camino?

Thats a bit of a sweeping statement.

I would think the estimate relates to if you want a private room, and whilst €150 is probably worst case scenario, €100 is probably a sensible amount to budget if you are that way inclined.

 

[J Willhaus]

Why do people on this forum try so hard to scare away potential pilgrims from going on the Camino?

I would say 100 to 150 euros for a couple or two traveling together and in private rooms. My husband and I usually budget about 75 euros a day and stay in albergues, but in truth spend less many days if we are cooking. Albergues where we choose to stay usually have places to wash clothes and also cook meals. I prefer that as I am diabetic and I can better control what is on the menu.

No one way is best, but some ways cost more than others.

 

[CWBuff]

Why do people on this forum try so hard to scare away potential pilgrims from going on the Camino?

Because in 2022 it cost me €40/day with only 4 private rooms and all communal rooms otherwise. No parochial or Munis to ve sure.... all pilgrim or menu del Dia food...
So for 2 people I think I'm on the ball... or would you rather me tell someone €5.00 day?

 

[CWBuff]

I do sometimes query those flying in from the US or Australia / NZ and then looking to budget-Camino.

I understand the sentiment. However in order for me to get to Camino I have to fly. Practically no choices here, lest I grow a pair of wings myself...
Don't fly 1st or business class so in the same spirit try to be budget conscious as much as I can.
But I can control my spending on Camino within reasons of my own preference. Never stayed at Leon Parador or anything like as much as I would've liked....
And as per my post above I was not looking for next to nothing cost, when I started planning I was thinking €20-30 surely not a shoestring budget... and it turned out to be about €40. Perhaps I should have skipped a meal...but somehow I doubt it would have made a difference on my airfare cost.

 

[CWBuff]

... and finally something I said some time ago on the like thread:
Better budget €100\day and spend €50 and be pleasantly surprised then budget €50 and struggle if need to spend more.
It's a BUDGET!!!

 

[alexwalker]

Just my 0.02€s...

I mostly stay in municipals/private albergues. I like the albergue life (I'm 70), talking to/with others.

If the albergue has a decent kitchen, I make my own/share with others, dinner w/some wine. If the albergue has a communal dinner, I will accept and socialize that evening.

I enjoy a coffee in the morning; a cold beer (or 2) + tortilla/boccadillo during the day's walk.

My cost (2024 latest Camino) is normally averaging around 40€ on those days.

I can do it cheaper if I skip the beer(s), but that will never happen.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I do sometimes query those flying in from the US or Australia / NZ and then looking to budget-Camino.

Why? I would understand if we were all flying first class but as far as I know we're not.

Speaking as a New Zealander, unlike the UK our Island isn't just a few kilometres from our nearest neighbour. As a result the flight costs are significant. Our exchange rate isn't exactly wonderful either. So we need to make the best use of the funds we have.

I have taken a number of flights from New Zealand, every single one of them has been the most economical option I could find. Wages in New Zealand are relatively low, living costs are high. It takes a while for many of us to save enough to travel internationally, so unless we're well off we have to budget.

Agreed, the flight costs from Australia and the United States are lower, however they are still significantly more than flying from the UK. Which if we all started from the same financial baseline would mean we had less in our pockets than you upon arrival. Therefore naturally we try and operate on a tighter budget, whilst you have more money for luxuries.

Why do people on this forum try so hard to scare away potential pilgrims from going on the Camino?

What do you mean? Do you think that the people above are trying to scare pilgrims away by posting unrealistic costs?

They're not, they are posting real life examples based on recent personal experience, not outdated figures or theoretical nonsense.

My personal experience is already dated (2023) and I spent 50 euros per day staying in a mix of Albergues and private rooms, self-catering somedays, eating out on others.
100 to 150 euros per day for a couple staying in private rooms (as per the Ops question) seems a reasonable assessment.

 

[dick bird]

It’s the ‘private rooms’ bit that pushes the cost. Drop that provision and the cost can just about halve.

I do sometimes query those flying in from the US or Australia / NZ and then looking to budget-Camino.

When you have spent the equivalent of £1000 or more on your flight, you need to save every cent you can.

 

[dick bird]

Why do people on this forum try so hard to scare away potential pilgrims from going on the Camino?

Is that a question? If you think 100-150 euros a day is a wild over-statement, the point needs to be made explicitly and backed up with evidence. But if someone is anticipating using luggage transfer and private rooms, their budget is probably a lot more flexible than most and 100 - 150 sounds realistic for that style of travel.

 

[Tincatinker]

I think @Peterexpatkiwi has it. The OP’s request was for private rooms and a reasonable diet avoiding the Michelin opportunities.

Route and timings will still have a bearing but I wouldn’t try a thirty day hike without the comfort of €3000 in my back pocket and the comfort offered by the thought that I could spend every one of them

 

[Tortilla]

What do you mean? Do you think that the people above are trying to scare pilgrims away by posting unrealistic costs?

Is that a question? If you think 100-150 euros a day is a wild over-statement, the point needs to be made explicitly and backed up with evidence

I wouldn’t try a thirty day hike without the comfort of €3000 in my back pocket

I wish I could reply to you gentlemen, but 3 or 4 of my posts have been already deleted today (including one where I wished a deceased pilgrim RIP), so I'll stop trying for a while. It must be the US election day fever or something.

By the way, I didn't call alexwalker an alcoholic, I just said that drinking water instead of beer is a good way to cut the Camino costs.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@Tortilla, as I understand it posts are only ever deleted if they break the rules ( which are clearly posted for all of us to see); they are reported; and/or the moderators feel that they may be considered particularly offensive. If you look through the forum you will find many posts that are at the very least mildy offensive that have been allowed to remain, so clearly this step is not taken lightly.

I myself have had one of my posts deleted because it was misinterpreted, and hence considered potentially offensive. Whilst I did not agree, I fully appreciated the moderators reasoning and support their decision.

If you have had three posts deleted in one day you may wish to consider reading the rules again, and perhaps being a little more careful with how you word your responses - as I myself try to be.