Planning ahead

steveNY · May 10, 2018

So I am all set for my Camino in 2 weeks. All transportation and reservation are made up to Roncesvalles.

How and where should I be concerned about availability of alburges after Roncesvalles? I already assume Santiago Will be mostly booked. I plan to get real early starts so I can meet my destinations early.

Thanks again !!

SYates · May 10, 2018

If I see it right, you plan to walk in November? No need to worry then as much fewer pilgrims will be on the way. Closer to the time keep an eye on http://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/ which is updated nearly daily during the winter months with info regarding closed/open albergues. Buen Camino, SY

Albertagirl · May 10, 2018

In November, you will be walking in the dark if you attempt "real early starts." As someone who has made three caminos in October/November, I assure you that this is unnecessary and will waken other pilgrims. You cannot see the arrows in the dark and any walking adjacent to roads is dangerous. Please be considerate of others and take care.

Liam Ryan · May 10, 2018

Not sure where the November date was spotted. My MO was to walk for couple of hours in the morning and then over coffee figure out where might be good to stay. And phone ahead to book bed. It worked smoothly!!

steveNY · May 10, 2018

I am planning to start

SYates said:
If I see it right, you plan to walk in November? No need to worry then as much fewer pilgrims will be on the way. Closer to the time keep an eye on http://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/ which is updated nearly daily during the winter months with info regarding closed/open albergues. Buen Camino, SY

I am leaving in 2 weeks actually

Deleted member 3000 · May 10, 2018

You can wing it this time of year. Don't worry about Santiago until you are a lot closer!

David Tallan · May 10, 2018

We walked in July and August from Roncesvalles to Finisterre. I booked the first couple of nights (Roncesvalles and Zubiri). I can't say if the bookings were needed or not, but I know they weren't needed after Zubiri. That was two summers ago. I know that the numbers have gone up a bit since then, but I also expect that May is going to have lower numbers than July and August. We did start booking a day or two ahead at the very end of the Camino, which may or may not have been necessary but gave us a bit of comfort when we started seeing the private albergues we stayed in most often fully booked towards the start of the day.

Bob from L.A. ! · May 11, 2018

I just read another thread entitled "Busy May on the Meseta" and it claimed that the CF is very busy right now with accomodations being utilized by a multitude of tour groups. I also remember another thread about a week or so ago asking why there were so many many people currently on the CF.