Late October camino - travel logistics

[frank john]

I’m finally planning a Camino beginning in late October thru early December on the Frances route. I’ve walked the tour a couple of times but it’s been seven years since my last Camino. On both caminos I walked from SJDP to Santiago. I need advice on getting flights: one way from Chicago to Paris or to Barcelona? Return: from Madrid? I’m finding the return flight is extremely expensive, probably due the month being December.
Also, I’ve only done the Napoleon route. I assume orrison is closed due to late October. Would it be advise to use the valcarlos route?
Finally, I’m figuring on fewer pilgrims. Will it be difficult to find hotels/ private rooms? I’ll need to plan on layering due to difficult weather conditions.
Sorry for long thread but I would welcome advice. The last two caminos i fled into Barcelona and returned from Madrid. But it was very much cheaper. Thanks so much. Frank

 

[trecile]

Check out the multi-city option for flights - usually about the same as a round trip, and cheaper than two one way tickets. I really like flying home from Porto, it's an easy ~4 hour bus ride.

The Napoleon route is open in October, as is Orisson unless the weather is bad. It closes on November 1st.

 

[frank john]

Thank you for advice. What is a “multi city option?” Nit familiar with this.

 

[goldie from aus]

Just butting in. When searching flights it gives you one way, return or multi city option. Cheaper option - means you can put in Chicago to Paris return Madrid to Chicago for example. Good luck

 

[frank john]

What a great idea. I never noticed that option. Much appreciated.

 

[trecile]

Thank you for advice. What is a “multi city option?” Nit familiar with this.

I generally start my search on Google Flights. There is a drop down menu where you can choose Round trip, One way, or Multi-city. The airline websites also have these options, but sometimes you need to go to "advanced search" to find it.

click to enlarge

 

[frank john]

This is great. I’m going to get in this right away to get the best deal. Thanks so much.

 

[Richmond Gardner]

FYI, Skyscanner is another way to research the multi flight option online.

 

[trecile]

FYI, Skyscanner is another way to research the multi flight option online.

But please do not use one of the third party companies who advertise on Skyscanner - book directly with the airline. It saves you headaches if there are schedule changes or problems if you deal directly with the airline.

 

[Richmond Gardner]

But please do not use one of the third party companies who advertise on Skyscanner - book directly with the airline. It saves you headaches if there are schedule changes or problems if you deal directly with the airline.

Absolutely! Should have included that caveat. I never deal with 3rd parties anymore.

 

[Felice]

I walked from SJPP to Pamplona is early November last year. Wonderful weather! Not many pilgrims, which was great because in the lodgings in the evenings, everyone was very sociable.
Albergues etc are open, just nothing like as many. And few places to stop for a coffee.

 

[frank john]

Not having the coffee stops is not so good.

 

[lt56ny]

If you wait until later in the year and closer to your departure date I have found that I have gotten pretty cheap flights from Santiago to Madrid but it is getting more and more expensive for sure.

 

[MassNative]

The r/Flights subreddit has a very good FAQ (https://www.reddit.com/r/flights/wiki/index/ ), including a pointer to a page on AirFare Search engines:

airfare - travel

r/travel: r/travel is a community about exploring the world. Your pictures, questions, stories, or any good content is welcome. Clickbait, spam …

www.reddit.com

 

[_zoro_]

Howdy Frank,
My first and only Camino was last year in October/November via SJPP and although I have nothing to compare it to I had zero issues with coffee, stores, food, accommodations, meeting others. It was as fantastic an experience as I could have ever dreamed. I played with "the Camino provides" vs "I'd better help myself with the provisions" and the balance worked well for me as well as my fantastic shoes. The weather was cool and that sure helped with the pep-in-my-step - that and my extraordinary light pack; it rained maybe seven days total with only one gulley washer and you know what? I was so happy I didn't have all that cumbersome rain gear - I just welcomed the wetness. Best of luck with the cheap flight. If I ever do it again October and November are the time.
Buen Camino

 

[frank john]

Howdy Frank,
My first and only Camino was last year in October/November via SJPP and although I have nothing to compare it to I had zero issues with coffee, stores, food, accommodations, meeting others. It was as fantastic an experience as I could have ever dreamed. I played with "the Camino provides" vs "I'd better help myself with the provisions" and the balance worked well for me as well as my fantastic shoes. The weather was cool and that sure helped with the pep-in-my-step - that and my extraordinary light pack; it rained maybe seven days total with only one gulley washer and you know what? I was so happy I didn't have all that cumbersome rain gear - I just welcomed the wetness. Best of luck with the cheap flight. If I ever do it again October and November are the time.
Buen Camino

Hi zoro!! Thank you so much for reaching out. Your message has made such a difference. No other time will work out for me so I’m taking the chance. I just needed a bit of encouragement and you came through. Once again, thank you!! Frank

 

[henrythedog]

I’m finally planning a Camino beginning in late October thru early December on the Frances route. I’ve walked the tour a couple of times but it’s been seven years since my last Camino. On both caminos I walked from SJDP to Santiago. I need advice on getting flights: one way from Chicago to Paris or to Barcelona? Return: from Madrid? I’m finding the return flight is extremely expensive, probably due the month being December.
Also, I’ve only done the Napoleon route. I assume orrison is closed due to late October. Would it be advise to use the valcarlos route?
Finally, I’m figuring on fewer pilgrims. Will it be difficult to find hotels/ private rooms? I’ll need to plan on layering due to difficult weather conditions.
Sorry for long thread but I would welcome advice. The last two caminos i fled into Barcelona and returned from Madrid. But it was very much cheaper. Thanks so much. Frank

It’s a great time of year to walk. Accommodation options are reduced - but sufficient.

 

[Felice]

Totally agree with zoro. I only managed 3 days due to knee problems but it was a fantastic experience, despite the absence of frequent coffee stops. I'm restarting in a month's time and I know it will be totally different again. But I am seriously considering another winter Camino.

 

[MARSKA]

The multi city option is great. I did a LOT of searching but finally found Omaha to Charlotte to Madrid and return Porto to NYC, booked as basically RT.

I looked at many,many options. TAP Portugal and Iberia (American) are two airlines that have the Portugal/Spain market.

I'm sure TAP and Iberia are fine airlines but you cannot choose your seat until after you purchase tickets, and on transatlantic flights I am not OK with that situation, so I was careful to choose flights run by American Airlines rather than their partner Iberia. In the end TAP schedules didn't work out for me but they have a similar set up.

Yes, flights are expensive this year!!!! But I did see a few more affordable routes,/flights so they are out there IF you are lucky enough to find them.

I feel your pain- finding affordable flights with decent schedules was the biggest challenge in planning my October Camino that I've had so far .

I did see good flights from ORD to Barcelona for my date ranges but for me, from Omaha, there was about an 8 hr layover at ORD which I wasn't too keen on.

Good luck my friend and
Buen Camino!

 

[MARSKA]

Oh- Paris, Madrid and Barcelona have good options for transportation to SJPDP. From Madrid I plan to take the train to Pamplona then bus to St Jean. There are also flights MAD to Pamplona.
Of course trains from Paris are available as well as from Barcelona.