Longer stays

[Tedh]

Hi, is it possible to stay at an Albergue for a week or so?

Reason being that I would like to visit towns nearby some, be based there for some days and then move on (saves having to carry my full pack all the time).

For instance, when I arrive in Pamplona that's what I'd like to do to start out - looks like an interesting place and couldn't possible be covered in one day.

 

[mspath]

Tedh,

Generally pilgrims stay only one night in an albergue. Exceptions can be made for sickness or during dangerous storms. Most private albergues accept reservations and perhaps you might be able to reserve several days together. During the main 'season' ie until mid October if could be difficult to find any bunk for even a single night. For albergues which accept reservations use this Eroski web >> http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es./albergues/ . Click on each entry , then click again on the orange bar marked Ver ficha completa del albergue and look for Reserva de plaza en el albergue: Sí

Happy planning and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[Tia Valeria]

Very often there are 'rooms' nearby available for stays of more than one night. Some private albergues have private rooms, but locals generally know where there is cheap accomodation. If the hospitaleros cannot let you stay on they may know of 'habitaciones' nearby. If they don't then ask in a cafe-bar. That is how we found most of our non-albergue beds. The advantage of moving into a room is that many have private bathroom and if it is a town you want to visit then you are there rather than in a village outside.
As Margaret says - Happy planning and Buen Camino

 

[Tedh]

Thanks Margaret and Tia, I have a very limited budget. Any idea how easy it is to negotiate longer stays in the privates?

I haven't been to that region of Spain for 40 years, so am just a little bit rusty on that side of things. Used to be you spent a standard rate night, get to know them a bit and go for more nights at a reduced rate. Even offer to help in exchange for a bed.

 

[mspath]

Thanks Margaret and Tia, I have a very limited budget. Any idea how easy it is to negotiate longer stays in the privates?

I haven't been to that region of Spain for 40 years, so am just a little bit rusty on that side of things. Used to be you spent a standard rate night, get to know them a bit and go for more nights at a reduced rate. Even offer to help in exchange for a bed.

Tedh,

Since I always walk in late autumn/winter there is usually LOTS of space available in the those albergues both municipal or private which are open. It may be COLD but there are always bunks! Often small notices were been posted mentioning the possibility of staying an extra night. Similarly I have met several pilgrims along each camino who exchanged their services cleaning or even cooking for their bunk. Of course all of this was very 'ad hoc' and generally done in smaller, usually rural albergues. As you note "get to know them a bit" and then ask about possibilities. One never knows what the outcome might be!

MM

 

[Tedh]

Often small notices were been posted mentioning the possibility of staying an extra night. Similarly I have met several pilgrims along each camino who exchanged their services cleaning or even cooking for their bunk. Of course all of this was very 'ad hoc' and generally done in smaller, usually rural albergues. As you note "get to know them a bit" and then ask about possibilities. One never knows what the outcome might be!

Sounds good to me Margaret. I may not be able to bend and make beds or lift heavy stuff, but I can cook and do lightweight stuff. I probably will avoid the really large hostels anyways.

As to that cold you mentioned. When it starts snowing, I turn left and head south then come back in Spring (don't like cold).

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Ted,
In preparation for the holy year a large new albergue was built in Huarte which is about 2klm from centre of Pamplona. It is not exactly on the Camino. You would turn left at Villava one of the suburbs of Pamplona, or I think there is a track from Trinidad de Arre to it also.

I know I was allowed to stay there for two nights in 2007. Obviously that is a long time ago, but I think it might be a place you could get accommodation for a few nights . It is open all year with 70 bunks.
I shared a dorm the first night and had it to myself the second night..

Kitchen equipment can be very scarce or non existent in some places. If weight is not a big problem for you it might be wise to carry a light weight saucepan with you such as cyclists or campers carry. It would mean you could save on the cost of eating.

Buen Camino,

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Albergue beds are intended for pilgrims walking (or biking) a pilgrimage, not cheap accommodations for tourists. Municipal and parochial albergues permit a second night only for some form of disability. Private albergues are commercial in nature, so they are driven to fill the beds with anyone. Many take reservations and allow more than one night. Keep in mind, though, that when you stay multiple nights, you may be denying a bed to a pilgrim who has worked pretty hard that day to get to the albergue while you have been taking it easy being a tourist.

You CAN do it, but SHOULD you do it? That is certainly up to you, but you can find plenty of hoteles and hostales along the way that are designed for tourists. They cost about 25-30E, but you get a private room and bath! :wink:

 

[Tedh]

Thanks Lydia, I wasn't going to bring my "kitchen", but just may - depends on how much room I have in my pack. Long as I can get some denatured alcohol or bio-ethanol along the way fine.

Falcon, I'm both (in a way). The main reason is a pilgrimage, with secondary to visit some towns around certain stops along the Camino Frances. Limiting myself just the road means I may miss out on someone who is not walking it.

As for private rooms and baths - when and if they occur . My training walks have been in 90 degree+ sunshine where water is non-existant and I finish my distance sweaty, dirty and tired - but I'm told it's supposed to be good for me :roll: --- riiight

 

[zammy]

In the public albergues you must check out at 9 and take your pack with you so they are able to clean and prepare it.
If they agree that you stay another day (if it's not busy) you will have probably to carry all your belonging with you till noon.

 

[whariwharangi]

You can sometimes stay if there are beds available ... they will ask you to leave in the morning and come back in the afternoon. You can leave your pack but its at your own risk (and in fact I was at an albergue where someone who did this had their pack brazenly stolen).

I would not count on being able to do this during busy periods when the albergues fill.

 

[Tedh]

Okay, thanks everyone.

I didn't know about the check out and 3 hour gap.

I can appreciate when it's busy and not being allowed. Will just play it by ear and see how it goes.