- Time of past OR future Camino
- Various routes 2016 - 2024
September has become the most popular month to start from SJPdP, and stories like yours of "no room at any inns" are not uncommon.
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September has become the most popular month to start from SJPdP, and stories like yours of "no room at any inns" are not uncommon.My sister and I started our Camino September of 2019. We took the advice of well meaning people and waited to book till we arrived.
After 8 days of trying all combination of efforts, we gave up! We returned home. Everything was booked… everything!
We deemed it unsafe to have to end up sleeping out in a plaza.
When we started at SJSP, , we were told it was so bad that 40 people slept on cots in the local gym. That should have served as a sign to us!
Everyone meant well advising us to just go with the flow… just, that year, that time was too crowded.
I still am thinking about doing it again, but this time I will have reservations…
Burn Camino!!!
Yes that is a crowded time, the first time we started on Sept 1, and there were many people. We arrived quite early into Roncesvalles, and easily got beds. But we saw the staff taxiing people to other places later in the evening.My sister and I started our Camino September of 2019. We took the advice of well meaning people and waited to book till we arrived.
After 8 days of trying all combination of efforts, we gave up! We returned home. Everything was booked… everything!
We deemed it unsafe to have to end up sleeping out in a plaza.
When we started at SJSP, , we were told it was so bad that 40 people slept on cots in the local gym. That should have served as a sign to us!
Everyone meant well advising us to just go with the flow… just, that year, that time was too crowded.
I still am thinking about doing it again, but this time I will have reservations…
Burn Camino!!!
I did my first Camino in 2016, but started on August 21st, before the mad rush! Never had a problem finding a bed. I booked ahead a couple of times - for instance I arrived quite early in Belorado, and instead of stopping there, I decided to continue on to Villafranca Montes de Oca - another 12 km, so I made a reservation when I stopped for lunch.Yes that is a crowded time, the first time we started on Sept 1, and there were many people.
I must say, planning a camino is a great occupation for a plague year. It can take any amount of time and gives me something worthwhile to look forward to. And since I couldn't do anything or go anywhere last year, I have enough finances to plan a very long camino.Marylou,
My wife and I have walked three Camino’s in both Spain and France. I’ve always planned our routes and booked our accommodation and it’s always worked well for us. I have refined a process for how it’s done which I’d be happy to share but it takes awhile to get it all on paper. The decision to do it all DIY or use a travel firm depends a lot on your situation and preferences e.g., time to plan and do the bookings (it is time consuming), your organizational skills, risk tolerance, travel budget, etc.) A couple years ago I helped a friend plan her first Camino. A few days into the process she gave up and contacted a travel company.
Send me a PM — I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned.
A couple of things. First, I would suggest that you make hotel reservations on line for the first couple of nights. After that, make reservations once you're there with your cell. Use the Briely (sp?) Guide for hotel recommendations. There is joy and freedom in not planning too far ahead. Half the fun. Second, I would recommend using the backpack transport service to your next destination. Cheap, reliable and easy on your body. Hotels are very familiar with the service and will help coordinate transfers. Take a light weight day pack on your daily journeys. Have fun and go with the flow. It all works out.I plan to start my first Camino (Frances) next April, at age 72. I am female, and will be traveling alone at this point. I am trying to decide if I should use a travel company to make hotel reservations (better sleep, assured of a bed, lessen the risk of Covid) vs. staying in albergues (camaraderie, less expensive, much more flexibility). My fear, of course, is that if I get sick or am injured, I will have to take a taxi/bus/whatever to the next hotel or essentially lose my money. But my other fear is that it will be very crowded next year with all of us who have put off our Caminos, and getting a bed will be even more difficult. I would appreciate your thoughts. Will the Camino really provide if I just go???
Can't really tell you what to do. What I can say is I did it all myself and the thrill I got from saying to myself, 'I am an old man and I did this'. Got the same thrill when I stood on top of mountains that I would have run a mile from when I was younger. It really is a tremendous sense of achievement. No reservations, no bag transport just walking and walking. The reason I can't advise you is that everyone is different with different needs, different fears and different expectations. All I can say is no matter how you do it, take your time and enjoy every second of your caminoI plan to start my first Camino (Frances) next April, at age 72. I am female, and will be traveling alone at this point. I am trying to decide if I should use a travel company to make hotel reservations (better sleep, assured of a bed, lessen the risk of Covid) vs. staying in albergues (camaraderie, less expensive, much more flexibility). My fear, of course, is that if I get sick or am injured, I will have to take a taxi/bus/whatever to the next hotel or essentially lose my money. But my other fear is that it will be very crowded next year with all of us who have put off our Caminos, and getting a bed will be even more difficult. I would appreciate your thoughts. Will the Camino really provide if I just go???
As you have experienced Mary Lou, there are infinite variations of the Camino. The best advice I have heard is “you be you” or ”make it your Camino”. There are tons of opinions that are all relevant to those viewpoints. At the end of the day, you need to decide what will make you comfortable and happy. I wish you “Buen Camino” on however you choose to do it. My only advice…..please do it….I'm looking forward to it too, Chrissy! Can't wait to meet you.
I am grateful to all who answered, and am even more excited about the journey to Santiago. I would go tomorrow if I could! Thank you, all.
My sister and I walked beginning 9/12/2019. Sadly without reservations we only were able to go 8 days. It may sound adventurous, but finding no place to sleep can be scary. I was 68 years old and we ended up canceling our trip due to a lack of a place to sleep. We were also very creative and everyone was very nice, but it can be crowded and may be after Covid.Can't really tell you what to do. What I can say is I did it all myself and the thrill I got from saying to myself, 'I am an old man and I did this'. Got the same thrill when I stood on top of mountains that I would have run a mile from when I was younger. It really is a tremendous sense of achievement. No reservations, no bag transport just walking and walking. The reason I can't advise you is that everyone is different with different needs, different fears and different expectations. All I can say is no matter how you do it, take your time and enjoy every second of your camino
That's unfortunate! If you started in SJPP, that would have been the busiest time ever! Hopefully, you'll be able to return. Reservation might be in September from there, especially for the first few days, but a travel company isn't needed.My sister and I walked beginning 9/12/2019. Sadly without reservations we only were able to go 8 days. I
I also am sorry to hear of such an unfortunate situation. My husband and I started at nearly that exact same time in 2019, and I had read here on this forum that reservations were recommended from SJPP through Pamplona.My sister and I walked beginning 9/12/2019. Sadly without reservations we only were able to go 8 days.
How does your age influence things? There are plenty of people of a similar age who walk without problems.My sister and I walked beginning 9/12/2019. Sadly without reservations we only were able to go 8 days. It may sound adventurous, but finding no place to sleep can be scary. I was 68 years old
I agree, especially if traveling with 2 or 3 family members, as I was in 2017. A little harder to wing it during Holy week, hoping for beds together in the same place..I think it would be best to advise future pilgrims to be prepared to have to make reservations, regardless of past practices, and especially at certain bunch points and at popular times of the year.
I always thought that too. But I saw a post somewhere where the person said that having everything booked ahead of time was very liberating because you never had to worry about having a place to stay for the night.Reserving for the whole trip before you start walking allows for no flexibility, and personally, I would never do that.
I wouldn’t feel liberated from worry because I wouldn’t be bogged down in worry about it in the first place.I always thought that too. But I saw a post somewhere where the person said that having everything booked ahead of time was very liberating because you never had to worry about having a place to stay for the night.
It is unfortunate that the spontaneity is disappearing.
Have walked 5 times since 2013, the last a year before you and never had a problem getting a bed. I started each day between 6:30 and 7. Walked for about 6 hours and stopped at the first albergue I came to, roughly about 1pm every day. That on average would have been in the region of 20 to 24 km. At 70 years of age, that was quite enough for me. The secret is Walk With The Sun Till Ur Shadow Disappears then get a bedMy sister and I walked beginning 9/12/2019. Sadly without reservations we only were able to go 8 days. It may sound adventurous, but finding no place to sleep can be scary. I was 68 years old and we ended up canceling our trip due to a lack of a place to sleep. We were also very creative and everyone was very nice, but it can be crowded and may be after Covid.
If I ever do it again, I would attempt only with reservations. It may take away the flexibility, but you get to do it!
Just my thoughts….
I don't think that the spontaneity is disappearing. I think that people who like to plan their lives are naturally attracted to this forum because it provides good planning information. As a result, the opinions expressed on the forum are biased towards planning and reserving.It is unfortunate that the spontaneity is disappearing.
I agree. I think that it's important to do enough research to have a plan B, C and maybe D, so that you know what options you have if you arrive somewhere and there are no beds available. It's also important to know where the typical bunch/choke points are an to be prepared.I think it would be best to advise future pilgrims to be prepared to have to make reservations, regardless of past practices, and especially at certain bunch points and at popular times of the year. Reserving for the whole trip before you start walking allows for no flexibility, and personally, I would never do that. But a night or two ahead is a very good idea. If you don’t want to use online booking and lack the Spanish skills to call, ask someone to do it for you.
The difference in numbers between my first time in 1989 and my second and third in 2016 and 2018 was even more startling. Yet I didn't find it significantly harder to find accommodations. Certainly the number of pilgrims had grown incredibly, but so had the amount of infrastructure. More pilgrims does tend to bring more albergues.I do think it is important to recognize that the Camino has gotten much more crowded over the years. The difference in numbers of pilgrims between my first time in ‘15 and the second in ‘19 was startling. In ‘15, I don’t think you needed reservations. In ‘19, yes, at least at times, you really did.
Hi there. I'm 60, and last July I booked a self-walk for me and my husband for the last 114km of the Frances. The company provided transportation to Sarria from the airport, pension or small hotel reservations each night with printed directions (only took a hotel car in Amenal, walked all the others), booked with a luggage service so that we just carried day packs, and booked half board, which we didn't always use. They were also available 24/7 for emergencies (used that once, when I thought that my husband had lost his bag). We booked that way because my Spanish is beginner, his is nonexistent, it was high season, AND we arrived in Santiago on the 24th of July ( saw the fireworks for the feast day, and we saw the King of Spain come to Mass the next day). Read, *really* crowded. But we walked at our own pace every day, talked to people when we could,I plan to start my first Camino (Frances) next April, at age 72. I am female, and will be traveling alone at this point. I am trying to decide if I should use a travel company to make hotel reservations (better sleep, assured of a bed, lessen the risk of Covid) vs. staying in albergues (camaraderie, less expensive, much more flexibility). My fear, of course, is that if I get sick or am injured, I will have to take a taxi/bus/whatever to the next hotel or essentially lose my money. But my other fear is that it will be very crowded next year with all of us who have put off our Caminos, and getting a bed will be even more difficult. I would appreciate your thoughts. Will the Camino really provide if I just go???
When I first joined this forum about 2012, posts about how to plan every night months before travelling were unheard of. Nobody or at least very very view booked ahead. When I finally walked in March 2013, no hospitalero ever asked if I had a reservation. It was just unheard of. Sending backpacks ahead was only just becoming a thing and jacotrans was the only company doing it. Now there is a plethora of suppliers. By 2016,just three years later, the spontaneity had started to go. Walked into the albergue perdón in uterga at about 2pm to get the last bed. Four bunks had reserved signs on them. Next morning, three bunks were still reserved. Only one couple turned up yet walk in pilgrims were being turned away. The hospitalera was fuming as we walked away. So yes the spontaneity has vanished very quickly over the last 9 yearsI don't think that the spontaneity is disappearing. I think that people who like to plan their lives are naturally attracted to this forum because it provides good planning information. As a result, the opinions expressed on the forum are biased towards planning and reserving.
Other perspectives do exist on the forum but tend to get drowned out by the sheer numbers and volume of the planners.
I walked my first Camino at age 70 (2nd at 71) and very strongly advise you not to use a travel company. I don't think their services are a good value for something that is easily done on your own, but value means different things to different people and we all have different budgets. More importantly, we all have different bodies. I think it is so important to be able to have a shorter day if you need it. I met others in my age group on the Camino and some were struggling to keep up with the schedule their company had made. Also, walking alone you can stay at hotels any time you want to. You can make reservations on booking.com you can use gronze and wise pilgrim to find accommodations. I would book a few days ahead, no more, and let your body be your guide on how far to go. When you get close to the last 100K you could make more reservations if you feel you want to -- at that point you will be in touch with the distances that work for you.I plan to start my first Camino (Frances) next April, at age 72. I am female, and will be traveling alone at this point. I am trying to decide if I should use a travel company to make hotel reservations (better sleep, assured of a bed, lessen the risk of Covid) vs. staying in albergues (camaraderie, less expensive, much more flexibility). My fear, of course, is that if I get sick or am injured, I will have to take a taxi/bus/whatever to the next hotel or essentially lose my money. But my other fear is that it will be very crowded next year with all of us who have put off our Caminos, and getting a bed will be even more difficult. I would appreciate your thoughts. Will the Camino really provide if I just go???
This is great to hear. I will be 61yr old solo female doing CF Sept/Oct 2023. I just put a deposit down with Walk the Camino. Your parameters and reasons are very similar to mine! Glad to hear you were happy with your decisions. I like that I could decide how many walk/rest days I have. It isn't a one size fits all plan.When I walked the CF in 2019, I used Walk the Camino to plan the trip, book hotels and transfer bag. At no time did I feel constricted by the schedule I agreed to. I set up parameters of 15-18 miles a day, a rest day every 7th day (Logrono, Burgos, Leon, Villa Franco de Bierzo) and carrying only a day pack. As a 60 yr old, solo female, it was nice to know at the end of the day I had a clean private room and shower waiting for me. Working with WTC did not hinder me from meeting new people or did I miss out on the Pilgrim experience. To each their own.
I agree 100% with your statement, C clearly.By the way, I dislike the expression and I distrust the sentiment behind "the camino provides."
This is not a reply to your question as you have already gone. I too am 70, and female and going along in 2024. How did you fare on the camino?I plan to start my first Camino (Frances) next April, at age 72. I am female, and will be traveling alone at this point. I am trying to decide if I should use a travel company to make hotel reservations (better sleep, assured of a bed, lessen the risk of Covid) vs. staying in albergues (camaraderie, less expensive, much more flexibility). My fear, of course, is that if I get sick or am injured, I will have to take a taxi/bus/whatever to the next hotel or essentially lose my money. But my other fear is that it will be very crowded next year with all of us who have put off our Caminos, and getting a bed will be even more difficult. I would appreciate your thoughts. Will the Camino really provide if I just go???
I did the Frances in 2022 and 2023, the Portuguese Coastal this spring. The first year, I had a company in Santiago, Spanish Adventures, make reservations. I walked with a friend at first, then had time on my own. I loved the quirky little hotels and pensions I stayed in (I told him I wanted clean and safe, not luxurious), and found I was still able to meet people, some of whom have become good friends. Last year, I had a combination of hotel reservations and going it on my own in albergues. I love the albergue experience, but definitely slept better in private rooms. Either way, the Camino is one of the most amazing experiences you can imagine. I hope you have a wonderful time!This is not a reply to your question as you have already gone. I too am 70, and female and going along in 2024. How did you fare on the camino?
Thank you. I hope the adhoc availability of hotels in Spring 2025 still holds true as in 2017.I walked my first Camino at age 70 (2nd at 71) and very strongly advise you not to use a travel company. I don't think their services are a good value for something that is easily done on your own, but value means different things to different people and we all have different budgets. More importantly, we all have different bodies. I think it is so important to be able to have a shorter day if you need it. I met others in my age group on the Camino and some were struggling to keep up with the schedule their company had made. Also, walking alone you can stay at hotels any time you want to. You can make reservations on booking.com you can use gronze and wise pilgrim to find accommodations. I would book a few days ahead, no more, and let your body be your guide on how far to go. When you get close to the last 100K you could make more reservations if you feel you want to -- at that point you will be in touch with the distances that work for you.
Even if you want to pre-book your entire Camino ahead of time, if you do it yourself you are in control of your Camino, and have the ability to change your bookings if your situation changes.Thank you. I hope the adhoc availability of hotels in Spring 2025 still holds true as in 2017.
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