February Albergues Availability

[grantsmith01]

Hello all! This is my first post on the forum and I am about to embark on my first Camino on Saturday, feb 10th along the Frances route. I’ve seen the winter albergues site but I was wondering how important it is to contact albergues that cite recommended reservations, and also how to do so. Is contacting over WhatsApp okay or should I call? And is it absolutely crucial in February to call ahead of time or should there be albergues open? If it is necessary to call ahead, how many days in advance should I do so? Thank you for any and all advice!

 

[SabsP]

Hello all! This is my first post on the forum and I am about to embark on my first Camino on Saturday, feb 10th along the Frances route. I’ve seen the winter albergues site but I was wondering how important it is to contact albergues that cite recommended reservations, and also how to do so. Is contacting over WhatsApp okay or should I call? And is it absolutely crucial in February to call ahead of time or should there be albergues open? If it is necessary to call ahead, how many days in advance should I do so? Thank you for any and all advice!

Hi and welcome on this forum.
The winter albergues list aka Aprinca is certainly a good tool.
Although Whatsapp is much used in Spain not all places have this function on their phone so this varies. Calling is then your option.

Do you know this website? Gronze is up to date most of the times so this is a good source.

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

Happy preparations.

 

[Antnix1]

Spanish mobile phone numbers begin with 6 or 7. Add them on WhatsApp and it will be clear if they have WhatsApp as you'll be able to message them.

I like to message on WhatsApp and if it's left unread a few hours later, to give them a call.

 

[mspath]

Welcome to the forum! You must be very excited since your journey will begin soon.

Do check out this earlier thread for helpfull info re walking the French way this year ie in February 2024. Post #3 has many tips that you may find useful re weather, clothing/kit, and food.

During past years the hospitaleros in places that were open usually knew who was open or not on the stage ahead.

Please do let us know how your journey progresses. Your updates will be very useful for others' planning.

Buen camino!

 

[J Willhaus]

On the winter site it usually says whether you need to call in advance. Otherwise if they aren't expecting you, they may make plans to be away.

 

[JGL]

I am also doing the Camino Frances, arriving SJPD on the 21st, and first day of walking the 23rd. I have booked my first 5 nights, just to give me some confidence. And to see how busy it is or is not. But I do hope to be able to find lodging as I need/wish it, and be more random and spontaneous. Between the apps and the resources on this forum, knowing which are open or closed seems pretty good. Buen Camino.

 

[J Willhaus]

I am also doing the Camino Frances, arriving SJPD on the 21st, and first day of walking the 23rd. I have booked my first 5 nights, just to give me some confidence. And to see how busy it is or is not. But I do hope to be able to find lodging as I need/wish it, and be more random and spontaneous. Between the apps and the resources on this forum, knowing which are open or closed seems pretty good. Buen Camino.

Pagina nueva 1

If you are not already aware, this is a listing of albergues that is updated weekly on possible lodging resources on the CF.

 

[Marus99]

I have been walking from Leon for the past 9 days and majority of albergues and bars are closed. So I wd advise to plan carefully, make reservations and expect some long durations between open locations.

 

[grantsmith01]

Welcome to the forum! You must be very excited since your journey will begin soon.

Do check out this earlier thread for helpfull info re walking the French way this year ie in February 2024. Post #3 has many tips that you may find useful re weather, clothing/kit, and food.

During past years the hospitaleros in places that were open usually knew who was open or not on the stage ahead.

Please do let us know how your journey progresses. Your updates will be very useful for others' planning.

Buen camino!

Thank you for your advice! I will be writing each day about my experiences in case anyone would like to see it: caminodegantiago.wixsite.com/camino