Old-ish solo lady

[Rockinrev]

Hi everyone. I’ve been saying for years that I want to walk the Camino Frances. I’m currently in a depressive state, so as part of my therapy, am now actively planning to start in early April 2024. I’ve started walking daily - around 5 - 6 km, but I’m building that up slowly. What I would like some help on is a daily budget; I want to stay in the pilgrim albergues mainly; and like the idea of buying a picnic each day for lunch. If I eat breakfast in a cafe, do my own lunch, and eat out in the evenings, how much cash will I need each day, including accommodation? I’m British, so an answer in Euros or £Sterling would be hugely appreciated.
I will be 67 years old when I do the walk - so any advice gratefully received. I’ve got a couple of guide books .

 

[Bradypus]

There was quite a lot of discussion of budgets recently. This thread may be useful for you: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...of-your-camino-frances-start-to-finish.77987/

 

[mspath]

Rockinrev,

Welcome to the forum!

To help you plan going forward check out these helpful earlier threads filled with useful links and posts

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/are-you-70-and-still-walking-caminos.59442/
and
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/60-and-over-on-the-camino.12014/

Whenever/wherever you do go
Carpe diem and Buen camino!

PS. I first walked in 2004 at age 65 and finished my 10th complete camino in 2014 when 76. For personal commentary regarding walking these years on the CF see my Camino Gazetteer.

 

[Kitsambler]

And by the way, around here, 67 counts as a "spring chicken" so don't worry.

 

[Jodean]

I am 67 and walking Camino #5 starting in April. Pretty much always stay in albergues, but this time am walking with someone so we are occasionally getting private rooms as the price is sometimes the same as getting 2 beds in a dorm or close to the same price.

Beds run anywhere from 8-25€, so look at the different albergues to see what attracts you. You have plenty of time to look.
I like to eat, but don't drink. It is helpful to find places that have coffee and a bite to eat for breakfast, but if not, count on about 5€ for breakfast, snacks throughout the day and for either late lunch or dinner, the pilgrim menu or menu del dia for 13-15€. Coffee con leche is reasonable as are cold drinks like Aquarious. Snacks can be croissant, choc. croissant, tortilla, empenadas, or lots of different sandwiches. It is nice if you get an albergue doing a communal meal, Albergue Karma in Sansol, Meeting Point in Hornillos, Rosalia in Castrojeriz, Beilari in SJPDP, Casa Susi in Trabadelo, Parada Vitoria in Villarioja, the only albergue in Pieros, etc. etc.

 

[Kathy F.]

Rockinrev, welcome to the Forum!! Congrats on having a start date in mind.

Have you watched "the movie," yet? It might inspire you, and this is the place to ask all questions and get tons of answers - often conflicting (haha).

I just finished my 3rd Camino, solo, as an out-of-shape 70+ year old, so don't dig too deeply into the age thing. You are going to find lots and lots of people here who are older than either of us.

You might be pleasantly surprised on how little you need to eat in order to feel good and fit after a while, at least that was my experience. That helps keep the costs down. I stayed in albergues always, except for the days I needed a rest and stayed for 2 days in a "real" hotel.

For me, the hardest part of training for the Camino was not the walking, but walking in silence. No headphones, no other companion, just me and my thoughts. As bipedal mammals, we are pretty much designed to walk, and to walk long distances. But the mental game is the one that takes training, at least it did for me. You will get lots of support here on the Forum.

You are going to have a great experience and I'm so happy for you! Feel free to contact me or post questions at any time, day or night. This is a world-wide web, after all, someone is ALWAYS reading posts.

Buen Camino!!

 

[Kirkie]

Hi everyone. I’ve been saying for years that I want to walk the Camino Frances. I’m currently in a depressive state, so as part of my therapy, am now actively planning to start in early April 2024. I’ve started walking daily - around 5 - 6 km, but I’m building that up slowly. What I would like some help on is a daily budget; I want to stay in the pilgrim albergues mainly; and like the idea of buying a picnic each day for lunch. If I eat breakfast in a cafe, do my own lunch, and eat out in the evenings, how much cash will I need each day, including accommodation? I’m British, so an answer in Euros or £Sterling would be hugely appreciated.
I will be 67 years old when I do the walk - so any advice gratefully received. I’ve got a couple of guide books .

I am delighted to see your post. I was ultra young compared to you - I was only 58 when I walked the Frances!
if it might help you, look for the following: Allmycaminos. it is a blog belonging to @mspath of this forum.
Before setting off, I needed to see if there had been other 'older' women on the camino, to bolster my courage and reduce my fears. Since then of course I have learned so much. Each person is a world! There are lessons to be learned, of course, from everyone's experience.
I have no doubt at all that you will get plenty of help and encouragement here on the forum, and look forward to hearing from you whenever you set forth on the journey, the camino, the pilgrimage that will mark you forever! Buen camino!

 

[woody66]

Welcome Rockinrev !
Good luck with your planning for 2024!
You will be amazed how quick the time will pass while planning your adventure!
Before you know it you will be on the path
Have a wonderful walk.
Woody

 

[J Willhaus]

Hi everyone. I’ve been saying for years that I want to walk the Camino Frances. I’m currently in a depressive state, so as part of my therapy, am now actively planning to start in early April 2024. I’ve started walking daily - around 5 - 6 km, but I’m building that up slowly. What I would like some help on is a daily budget; I want to stay in the pilgrim albergues mainly; and like the idea of buying a picnic each day for lunch. If I eat breakfast in a cafe, do my own lunch, and eat out in the evenings, how much cash will I need each day, including accommodation? I’m British, so an answer in Euros or £Sterling would be hugely appreciated.
I will be 67 years old when I do the walk - so any advice gratefully received. I’ve got a couple of guide books .

Hi @Rockinrev,
I have met many people who have found the Camino a treatment for their depression (including my husband). For example, in 2016 we met the owner of a hotel in Molinaseca who had been on the Camino 17 or 18 times (mostly by bike) as a treatment for his chronic depression. Another retired friend of ours is a hospitalero from Spain who walks daily as his duties as a volunteer allow. I think the daily exposure to lots of exercise and sunlight is a helpful resource. I hope that you will also find it helpful for you. We now go to Spain annually (except for during the pandemic) and walk as pilgrims and volunteer as hospitaleros. My husband's "social" life is all about the Camino. He participates on the weekly Zoom meeting here on the forum when time allows, he volunteers for American Pilgrims on the Camino, he participates in regular meetings with other hospitaleros, and we take Spanish class together weekly.

Best wishes for your planning. I think if you want to stay in albergues, allow yourself a budget of about 40-50 Euros per day. Most days you won't spend nearly that much and then other days you can have a splurge of a private room, an extra day to see the sites, a special meal, etc. We also have picnics daily. Usually a small loaf of bread split down the middle with some butter, Spanish ham, and a little cheese. Cut it in several pieces and you can enjoy it as a snack or a meal. Cooking together with other pilgrims is also a joy. You can split your costs. Sometimes it really isn't that much less than a regular meal out, but so much fun!
Janet

 

[trecile]

I have met many people who have found the Camino a treatment for their depression

Walking outside every day on the Camino or at home can be very beneficial for depression.

 

[lettinggo]

Hola and welcome

Many times on my walks I have meet senior perigrinos and they seem to be slower but they always arrive in Santiago.
The younger ones are the ones that are prone to injuries due to walking to far, to fast.

I remember a 80 year Birthday that we had for an Australian woman walking with her daughter and son in law.
This was during a winter camino and she was carrying a backback of 60-70 liters..
But they took it slow and arrived after a couple of months.

Everything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Buen Camino
Lettinggo

 

[lettinggo]

Walking outside every day on the Camino or at home can be very beneficial for depression.

Indeed.
Walk and Talk is a well documented treatment for people with a lot to think about.

In Latin from the third century:

Solvitur Ambulando

"It is solved through walking."

Buen Camino
Lettinggo

 

[Marla in CA]

Hi everyone. I’ve been saying for years that I want to walk the Camino Frances. I’m currently in a depressive state, so as part of my therapy, am now actively planning to start in early April 2024. I’ve started walking daily - around 5 - 6 km, but I’m building that up slowly. What I would like some help on is a daily budget; I want to stay in the pilgrim albergues mainly; and like the idea of buying a picnic each day for lunch. If I eat breakfast in a cafe, do my own lunch, and eat out in the evenings, how much cash will I need each day, including accommodation? I’m British, so an answer in Euros or £Sterling would be hugely appreciated.
I will be 67 years old when I do the walk - so any advice gratefully received. I’ve got a couple of guide books .

Hurry up and come to Portugal and join me on March 31st! We have some similarities!

 

[Icacos]

Welcome to the forum @Rockinrev, and congratulations for having a start time in place. I did my first and only camino (the Francés) ten years ago at age 60 - in April and May - and it’s always been in my mind to go again. Your post has given me the incentive to finally make a decision … next year, April and May. It’s in my calendar! (BTW under your avatar there‘s the date April 2025. I assume you actually mean 2024?)

Enjoy your planning and training. I wish you well.

 

[rogersoncharles1951]

Hi everyone. I’ve been saying for years that I want to walk the Camino Frances. I’m currently in a depressive state, so as part of my therapy, am now actively planning to start in early April 2024. I’ve started walking daily - around 5 - 6 km, but I’m building that up slowly. What I would like some help on is a daily budget; I want to stay in the pilgrim albergues mainly; and like the idea of buying a picnic each day for lunch. If I eat breakfast in a cafe, do my own lunch, and eat out in the evenings, how much cash will I need each day, including accommodation? I’m British, so an answer in Euros or £Sterling would be hugely appreciated.
I will be 67 years old when I do the walk - so any advice gratefully received. I’ve got a couple of guide books .

If using albergues mostly a good up to date cost would be a comfortable 50 euro a day but could be less according with what restrictions you impose on yourself as to include extra luxuries each day but whatever way cap your spending amount you will treasure this wonderful experience Buen Camino