Planning for 2023

[kennymandy]

We are hoping to walk the Camino Frances again next year, starting in SJPP. As a "mature" couple, we would prefer double rooms and already have a lot of favourite places to stay, having previously walked this route in 2017. However, having had a quick look at availability if we start in late April, some accommodation (eg Hotel Ronscevalles) is already fully booked.

We know a lot of pilgrims like to take each day as it comes, but for the planners amongst you, how soon in advance should we be starting with reservations?

 

[wisepilgrim]

It is possible, unless you are checking with the properties directly, that they simply have not made the rooms available to booking.com et al.

Wait a bit, check back frequently, or simply contact the place directly.

 

[Robo]

As @wisepilgrim says, this is quite common.

Accommodations often won't release rooms to accommodation 'aggregators' like booking dot com till closer to the date. I generally book my first couple of nights, a month out from my start date. At taht time you should see more availability.

If starting in St Jean it might be wise to make your bookings as far as Pamplona, as those first few stages can fill up fast, with Zubiri as an example, being somewhat of a choke point at popular periods. All depends on time of year too of course.

 

[woody66]

Accommodations often won't release rooms to accommodation 'aggregators' like booking dot com till closer to the date. I generally book my first couple of nights, a month out from my start date. At taht time you should see more availability.

If starting in St Jean it might be wise to make your bookings as far as Pamplona, as those first few stages can fill up fast, with Zubiri as an example, being somewhat of a choke point at popular periods. All depends on time of year too of course.

Hi Robo !
I do hope that's true; i fly into Biarritz on May 2nd next doing the Valcarlos route and have managed to book up until Espinal and am trying to book to Pamplona. (i need private rooms but blimey they are pricier than last year ! ) I know i have 10 months before i fly, but in SJPP i ended up paying £75 but have free cancellation so can swap if a cheaper one comes up.
Strange that i am willing to take a gamble after Pamplona but a bit stressed about beds until then.
But I can see after Pamplona prices seem more reasonable
Woody

 

[Grousedoctor]

We are hoping to walk the Camino Frances again next year, starting in SJPP. As a "mature" couple, we would prefer double rooms and already have a lot of favourite places to stay, having previously walked this route in 2017. However, having had a quick look at availability if we start in late April, some accommodation (eg Hotel Ronscevalles) is already fully booked.

We know a lot of pilgrims like to take each day as it comes, but for the planners amongst you, how soon in advance should we be starting with reservations?

We are planning on heading back to the CF to finish up what we started in 2019. Primarily using Booking.com, I was able to reserve rooms from Burgos on for every night but one. However, I only reserve rooms where I have free cancellations. As I continue to monitor towns where we are staying, I do look for better accommodations (locstion, amenities, and price) if they happen to pop up. The one place that I did try to contact by email told me that they weren’t yet taking reservations for 2023. So, my advice is that if you can identify rooms now, book them (those offering free cancellation which appear to be most of them). Just continue checking back on a site like Booking to see what changes. Or, contact the property directly. I don’t think it’s any too early to start to put together where you’ll be staying as they seem to already be filling up quickly. Buen Camino.

 

[kennymandy]

Thank you for all your comments. The planning has become a reality. We've booked our flights and intend catching a train from Paris on 5th May, to start walking on 6th. We've booked some places (with free cancellation) through booking.com and will revisit this later in the year as some places (eg Roncesvalles) haven't yet opened up bookings for 2023. We've also updated our blog (and put a countdown counter on it) - there are 264 days until we start and already we're very excited.

 

[woody66]

Hi Kennymandy!

I fly into Biarritz and start walking on the 4th from SJPP!
Booked up to and including Pamplona except Zubiri; as the two albergues i would like to stay in don't take reservations till next year as said above.
I hope you have a great walk and maybe between SJPP and Santiago our paths may cross!
Buen Camino
Woody

 

[hueppi]

Consider that some albuerges do not accept reservations at all. For instance Casa Paderborn in Pamplona does not take reservations. It's first come first serve until full. They open around 1 pm.
Critical dates are the San Fermines festivities in July. But only because all other accommodation will be closed or booked. And Casa Paderborn only has 26 beds