Roncesvalles albergue reservations

[bethbakke]

I hope someone can help me. I have tried to book 4 beds at the Roncesvalles albergue online for May 17 and it looks like it won't take my reservation. My Spanish is not good so I may be missing something. Thank you in advance. Beth from North Dakota

 

[Kathar1na]

Hi @bethbakke, please use the English version of the website:
https://alberguederoncesvalles.com/en/book-your-bed/

Then tell us at which point of the online reservation process you get stuck. This will make it easier to see whether we can help.

FWIW, I have no problems with starting a booking for 4 people on May 17 up to the point where I would need to enter my credit card details and pay.

 

[bethbakke]

I was able to get through the booking in English and then there was a message in Spanish,"No se puede realization la operation. Numero de Perdido repitido." I still hit the continue button and got thos message, "no se ha realized la compra. No hay Reserva activa."

 

[bethbakke]

Update: it went through this time. Thank you.

 

[Kathar1na]

Update: it went through this time.

Great to hear it! Buen Camino to all four of you!

Let me add a piece of general information because there is something new this year on the webpage of the pilgrim albergue of Roncesvalles: In addition to the usual options (bed, dinner, breakfast, picnic) you can now also book backpack transport to Zubiri, Larrasoaña and Pamplona.

 

[Graham Skinner]

Is it now a requirement to book a bed for Roncevalles, or can you just show up? I’m walking at the beginning of July. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bradypus]

Is it now a requirement to book a bed for Roncevalles, or can you just show up? I’m walking at the beginning of July. Thanks in advance.

You can just show up. But in summer you may then find the albergue is full. Up to you. I generally prefer not to book in advance but I probably will for myself and a friend in SJPDP and Roncesvalles this summer.

 

[Graham Skinner]

You can just show up. But in summer you may then find the albergue is full. Up to you. I generally prefer not to book in advance but I probably will for myself and a friend in SJPDP and Roncesvalles this summer.

Thanks. I have booked my first night in SJPDP but my plan was to continue onto Espinal as my first stop from SJPDP, but wanted the option to stop at Roncevalles if needs be.

 

[trecile]

Is it now a requirement to book a bed for Roncevalles, or can you just show up? I’m walking at the beginning of July. Thanks in advance.

You can just show up. But in summer you may then find the albergue is full. Up to you. I generally prefer not to book in advanc

Actually, July is not that busy on the Camino Francés until you reach Galicia.
And while Roncesvalles does have a pre booking system I believe that they also hold beds back for those without reservations.

 

[Bradypus]

And while Roncesvalles does have a pre booking system I believe that they also hold beds back for those without reservations.

Those non-reserved beds do fill up quite often. Though that is more likely to happen in May or September than in July or August.

 

[gregrobinson]

Is it now a requirement to book a bed for Roncevalles, or can you just show up? I’m walking at the beginning of July. Thanks in advance.

From my experience the public albergues like the one in Roncesvalles keep most of their beds on a first come basis. Maybe someone else has % numbers. I was there last September and just showed up with no trouble at all. It does fill up though...so late arrivals end up going to Burgete.

 

[Ianinam]

Is it now a requirement to book a bed for Roncevalles, or can you just show up? I’m walking at the beginning of July. Thanks in advance.

No, not necessary in July.

Be aware of the San Fermin festivities in Pamplona (running of the bulls) which are from July 6th through July 15th. During this period in Pamplona most albergues are closed, hostels and hotels are prebooked months before and the prices are exorbitant high!
And many, many drunk people in the streets ...

 

[Icheepoo]

Will be in Roncesvalles this 2nd or 3rd April.. shouldn't be a problem NOT to prebook?

 

[trecile]

Will be in Roncesvalles this 2nd or 3rd April.. shouldn't be a problem NOT to prebook?

Probably not a problem, but since you know that you will be there why not book it?

 

[hikentravel1234]

Thanks. I have booked my first night in SJPDP but my plan was to continue onto Espinal as my first stop from SJPDP, but wanted the option to stop at Roncevalles if needs be.

Unless you are a REALLY strong hiker, you may want to consider the 3 1/-4 hour walk to Orisson on day 1, then go on to Espinal on day 2. A triathalon athlete could barely walk for 3 days. Different sports use different muscle groups. To travel from SJPD to Espinal in 1 day is very difficult.

 

[Graham Skinner]

Unless you are a REALLY strong hiker, you may want to consider the 3 1/-4 hour walk to Orisson on day 1, then go on to Espinal on day 2. A triathalon athlete could barely walk for 3 days. Different sports use different muscle groups. To travel from SJPD to Espinal in 1 day is very difficult.

I live close to all the mountains in Scotland and hike regularly and do an average of 6.5km per hour uphill so not really concerned about the distance from SJPD to Espinal, but wanted the option to stop at Roncevalles without having to book accommodation. I thought SJPD to Orisson was only a 2hr walk as many youtube videos have people doing it in that time. But thanks for your advice.

 

[CWBuff]

Is it now a requirement to book a bed for Roncevalles, or can you just show up? I’m walking at the beginning of July. Thanks in advance.

as stated you can show up.
When I walked in 2022 I arrived to Roncesvalles on May 23rd. I had a reservation made pre-Camino and some of the Pilgrims I just met the previous night at Orisson did not. It took a bit of time to get everyone processed... they wound up in "the basement" but a bunk bed each they got.
Ulitmately your decision as to book ahead or not.
Buen Camino!

 

[trecile]

I live close to all the mountains in Scotland and hike regularly and do an average of 6.5km per hour uphill so not really concerned about the distance from SJPD to Espinal, but wanted the option to stop at Roncevalles without having to book accommodation.

It's quite possible that there will be a bed at the albergue in Roncesvalles when you arrive. They don't allow all of their beds to be booked in advance.

I thought SJPD to Orisson was only a 2hr walk as many youtube videos have people doing it in that time

You probably can walk to Orisson in about 2 hours. It's about 8 km from SJPdP.

 

[Ghost Rydurrrr]

I wish I read this thread sooner. I booked my stay at Roncesvalles last night. The booking site states that pre-booking is allowed for the first floor. I assume they do first-come, first served for the rest?

The idea of staying at Orisson and then walking the next stage to Espinal is intriguing. Has anybody tried that? My only concern is that a 3-4 hr day seems a bit short to me especially at the start of your journey when you're all amped up and ready to walk. Has anyone arrived in SJPP, gotten their passport and then head out straight away to Orisson? Time wise, just wondering if that was possible seeing as my flight into Biarritz doesn't land until 3pm.

 

[trecile]

The idea of staying at Orisson and then walking the next stage to Espinal is intriguing. Has anybody tried that? My only concern is that a 3-4 hr day seems a bit short to me especially at the start of your journey when you're all amped up and ready to walk.

Yes, I've stayed at Orisson the first night and Espinal the second.
When walking "only" to Orisson the first day I relax in SJPdP until around 11 am before I start walking. Then I take my time walking up to Orisson. You are in the beautiful Pyrenees - take your time and enjoy it!

Has anyone arrived in SJPP, gotten their passport and then head out straight away to Orisson? Time wise, just wondering if that was possible seeing as my flight into Biarritz doesn't land until 3pm.

If your plane lands at 3pm you don't have time to travel to SJPdP, stop at the Pilgrim Office and walk to Orisson to arrive by 6pm as required.

 

[condyfesker]

My husband and I are planning our first Camino the French way in late august 2023. I have been trying to book the Roncesvalles albergue with no success. Multiple times I have gone as far as putting in my payment information and get a message that the transaction did not process. After checking with my bank they state nothing has hit the bank, that’s in USA. I have sent a message to the albergue 2 times and have not received an email back. I was afraid it was closed but it doesn’t sound like it. So, it is open now?

 

[Ianinam]

@condyfesker, yes, the albergue is open all year. Late august is a very, very busy period so making a reservation certainly is a must.
I have often read here about paying problems with creditcards from the USA. Something has to be adjusted to make them compatible with European creditcards. I do not know what or how, but your bank can solve this problem.

 

[Kathar1na]

I have often read here about paying problems with creditcards from the USA. Something has to be adjusted to make them compatible with European creditcards.

Yes, one can see this when trying to make the payment (see screenshot). The credit card must be enabled for a specific secure payment process called Visa Secure, Mastercard ID Check or American Express SafeKey. Credit cards issued in Europe have this function automatically enabled and websites such as the Roncesvalles one will accept only payment by credit cards with this function. This issue can only be solved by your own bank or other organisation that issued your credit card in the USA.

 

[Ianinam]

@Kathar1na, you can tell this much beter than I can

 

[Kathar1na]

@Kathar1na, you can tell this much beter than I can

@Ianinam, we make a good team.