Accommodations along the way for Camino Frances

[gkba03]

I am starting my walk on August 21. We already have accommodation in SJPDP. As I continuing planning for accommodations in Valcarlos and later cities, they are showing that most of the places are booked and not available. I am a bit concerned that we could be stuck in a city with no place to spend the night. We are okay with staying at an albergue or hostel. Can someone give us some idea what is the situation on the ground at this time of the year? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[trecile]

It sounds like you are looking at booking sites like booking.com. These sites do not have access to all the inventory of the accommodations on the way.

Check Gronze for direct booking links, phone numbers and email addresses.

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

 

[NorthernLight]

Using Whatsapp to contact these places directly will likely be more efficient than trying to phone or email.

 

[MARSKA]

Use gronze.com andhe Wise Pilgrim app. I found Gronze hard to figure out at first. If you use your browser it will load in English but the translation of the names of some towns is confusing.

 

[MARSKA]

The app MyCamino is also helpful.

 

[trecile]

Using Whatsapp to contact these places directly will likely be more efficient than trying to phone or email.

You also have a written record of the reservation when you use WhatsApp.

 

[J Willhaus]

As a pilgrim just returning from the Camino, I can say that no place that I stayed was ever full. The only exception was that I wanted to stay in San Martin Pinero in Santiago at least one night and it was full. I had no trouble finding other accommodations.

I don't like to reserve ahead and usually just decide where I want to stay when it feels right. This is possible because I carry all my things with me. If you are shipping your luggage, you will want to look for a reservation so you will know where to send your bag and collect it.

This year we had to make a change because my husband needed to send his bag for health reasons about halfway through our journey. I found it simple to get a reservation one or two days ahead at that point. I didn't like it because I found it really changed the dynamic from staying in albergues to more private rooms. We met fewer people and it felt more like a vacation than a pilgrimage.

In any case, I did not find beds in short supply in June.

 

[Lexicos]

It’s the thing that seems to make most of us nervous, not finding a bed for the night after a long walk. Understandably.
I think I’ll put out a challenge to myself, and not book anything in advance, in September, and see what happens. Going solo will make it easier of course but nonetheless I might challenge the odds and the gods and see what gives. If it turns out to be a night or two en plein air, so be it.

 

[Anniesantiago]

If you can plan you walk to arrive at your destination by 2 or 2:30, I think you will be able to find a bed. Many albergues, even those who take reservations, keep aside a few beds for pilgrims who walk in.

 

[Al the optimist]

Last week we returned from walking Pamplona to Burgos. No bed shortage in albergues. They were only half full most nights.

 

[BennyB]

As a pilgrim just returning from the Camino, I can say that no place that I stayed was ever full. The only exception was that I wanted to stay in San Martin Pinero in Santiago at least one night and it was full. I had no trouble finding other accommodations.

I don't like to reserve ahead and usually just decide where I want to stay when it feels right. This is possible because I carry all my things with me. If you are shipping your luggage, you will want to look for a reservation so you will know where to send your bag and collect it.

This year we had to make a change because my husband needed to send his bag for health reasons about halfway through our journey. I found it simple to get a reservation one or two days ahead at that point. I didn't like it because I found it really changed the dynamic from staying in albergues to more private rooms. We met fewer people and it felt more like a vacation than a pilgrimage.

In any case, I did not find beds in short supply in June.

I pray your husband has recovered.

 

[Peter Aulbury]

It sounds like you are looking at booking sites like booking.com. These sites do not have access to all the inventory of the accommodations on the way.

Check Gronze for direct booking links, phone numbers and email addresses.

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

Thanks Trecile, for this link to Gronze. I'm in Australia looking at Gronze on my PC and it's very user friendly, even being able to translate to English, but if I were to be in Spain on my next camino, how would that work. Do I need to download an app? and , is there a need to pay for a Gronze account? Is it available on a smart android phone via wifi? Previously I have used the Brierly guide, and last time members of my Camino family did all the hard work on their phones, I just tagged along. I'm thinking next Camino (hopefully with my wife) I would need to be proactive and this (new to me) Gronze program seems fantastico.

 

[Martin Doyle]

Peter, I have used Gronze on my Android phone. I looked up the gronze site on my phone and when I had it open, I bookmarked the page to my home screen and now, with wifi, it is a 1 touch opening to the Gronze site.

 

[trecile]

Thanks Trecile, for this link to Gronze. I'm in Australia looking at Gronze on my PC and it's very user friendly, even being able to translate to English, but if I were to be in Spain on my next camino, how would that work. Do I need to download an app? and , is there a need to pay for a Gronze account? Is it available on a smart android phone via wifi?

Gronze is simply a website (though they do have a maps only app for Android phones). This means that you can access it on any browser on any device, though if you use the Chrome browser (which you would have to download if you don't have it already), or, as I understand it the Safari browser on iPhone it will automatically translate to English or the language of your choice. Be aware though that it also translates some place names, often with humorous results.

 

[chuckhibbs]

Use gronze.com andhe Wise Pilgrim app. I found Gronze hard to figure out at first. If you use your browser it will load in English but the translation of the names of some towns is confusing.

Marsha,
How do you use the GPS on Wiseapp?

 

[trecile]

Marsha,
How do you use the GPS on Wiseapp?

Wise Pilgrim is an app that has GPS enabled Maps that show where you are on the Camino (or if you have strayed). You need to download the app and the map for the route to be able to use it offline. I would recommend that you get the full (paid) version of the app for the most features.

A Complete Guide to the Caminos to Santiago de Compostela

A complete guide to the Camino de Santiago, including accommodation on the Camino Francés, Camino del Norte, Camino Portugués, Camino Primtivo, Vía de la Plata, Camino de Invierno, Finisterre & Muxía, San Salvador, Camino Olvidado, Caminho Nascente, Camino da Geira, Camino Inglés, Vía Podiensis...

wisepilgrim.com

 

[chuckhibbs]

Thank you

 

[gkba03]

Thanks everyone. The information is very helpful.

 

[gkba03]

The app MyCamino is also helpful.

Is this for Android or Apple phones? I couldn't find it on Apple.
Thanks.

 

[gkba03]

It’s the thing that seems to make most of us nervous, not finding a bed for the night after a long walk. Understandably.
I think I’ll put out a challenge to myself, and not book anything in advance, in September, and see what happens. Going solo will make it easier of course but nonetheless I might challenge the odds and the gods and see what gives. If it turns out to be a night or two en plein air, so be it.

Thanks for the reminder. Very helpful.

 

[gkba03]

I pray your husband has recovered.

Thanks for your advice. Wishing everything is well for your husband.

 

[trecile]

Is this for Android or Apple phones? I couldn't find it on Apple.
Thanks.

I've never heard of it, but I did find the website for it. I have a new Samsung phone, and the page for this app on the Google Play site says that it's not compatible with my phone. I would definitely use the "tried and true" apps like Wise Pilgrim and Buen Camino along with Gronze and Godesalco for planning purposes.

My Camino.app - My Camino

Hi, my name is Morten, and I have walked the Camino a couple of times. I loved it every time! This app is my attempt to give something back to the “Fellowship of the Peregrinos.” I hope that you find it helpful! And remember – this app nothing but a suggestion! Always follow the directions […]

www.my-camino.eu

It sounds MARSKA is finding it useful to plan her first Camino later this year.

 

[MARSKA]

Yes - I have an Android. Downloaded from Google play