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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Do I need to make a reservation in St. Jean?

PNWMC81

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
I plan to walk (2013)
This will be my first Camino and I will be arriving in St. Jean on 13/09/13 in the evening or late afternoon? I was wondering if I should just show up to the Pilgrims office and they could help me out or if I should book a reservation? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
There is always a bed if you are willing to go to a hotel or chambres d'hote. The Pilgrim Office will help you find a bed.
 
I was just as concerned as you about making the reservation. I started checking and found most of the hotels full. I found one that still had a room and i booked it. It is the only reservation i will make for my trip. I leave a couple weeks in front of you.

Buen Camino

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At about 70E:

Hôtel Camou
Route de Lasse, 64220 Uhart-Cize

It is near the bus stop.
 
If you can get there before 17:00 in the afternoon, go to the Pilgrims office first and get your credential stamped and they'll be able to offer you a bed for 8€ if you get there early enough, with breakfast included.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I was in SJPdP in july last year and experienced loads of free places at 18.00. If you go up and down in the mail street few people asked met if I want a bed, they were all far cheaper then €70.
Especially if you do not arrive in a weekend, I wouldn't make a reservation but go there and see.
 
This will be my first Camino and I will be arriving in St. Jean on 13/09/13 in the evening or late afternoon? I was wondering if I should just show up to the Pilgrims office and they could help me out or if I should book a reservation? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
The answers to the question are a bit confusing. Arriving in the evening myself can I be confident of finding a room after a long journey? I might take two nights to get over jet lag. With arriving in the evening at 19:30 can I not worry about trying to get or keep a reservation to a more expense lodging (60 Euros that I have now but can still cancel)? Much appreciation for clarity as I'm just a few days from getting on ze plane. :)
 
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I thought you wanted to save the expense of the 60E room. That is a typical price, so you might as well reserve one. It is rarely a good idea to be wandering around in the evening comparing prices. Do that on the internet before you go!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Or spend the night wherever you are passing through before SJPP, perhaps Bayonne? Why exhaust yourself before you've started?
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
So the answer is, no, one cannot be confident of finding a "room" (I'm new, don't know all the jargon of the Camino) in the evening after 19:30 for those who may want to stay 2 nights? Do I understand that correctly?
 
I have a room reservation for one night. I asked the question because if there are any delays in traveling from the USA to Paris to SJPP I'd have to pay for the room I didn't get to use. That's why I asked the question. If there are many rooms available (and at similar or lower cost) after 19:30 I would cancel and not box myself into a reservation for a room knowing I can find one at that time of evening, no problem.
 
There will be rooms available in SJPdP. If you have access to www.booking.com on an iPhone or other smart phone, you can check availability when you are on the train to SJPdP. Otherwise, stop in the first hotel and ask. If it is full, then move to the next one. That is not the best strategy for the best price, but it is the best strategy for finding a room.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Most of those places listed on your link are 5 miles out of town. The one I do have is 1/2 mile from town. If I could be closer in I wanted that. For you oldsters please remember new people here on this forum have not been to these places.

I've been on the internet but I thought first hand pilgrim experiences would be more helpful and credible.
 
The hotels in town:

http://www.saintjeanpieddeport-pays...&village=SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT#.UipqXz-wV1k

  • Hôtel Central

    Hôtel - Restaurant | SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT

    Tel : + 33 5 59 37 00 22
    Fax : + 33 5 59 37 27 79
    Email : central.centralhotel6@orange.fr

    Capacité : 13

    Groupes acceptés
  • 2
    **

    Hôtel | SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT

    Tel : + 33 5 59 37 13 79
    Fax : + 33 5 59 37 33 44
    Email : remparts.hotel@wanadoo.fr
    Site : www.touradour.com/hotel-remparts.htm

    Capacité : 10

    Groupes acceptés
  • 3
    ****

    Hôtel - Restaurant | SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT
    tables-et-auberges-de-france.jpg
    relais-et-chateaux.jpg

    Tel : + 33 5 59 37 01 01
    Fax : + 33 5 59 37 18 97
    Email : hotel.pyrenees@wanadoo.fr
    Site : www.hotel-les-pyrenees.com

    Capacité : 18

    Groupes acceptés
  • 4
    Hôtel Continental

    Hôtel | SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT

    Tel : + 33 5 59 37 00 25
    Fax : + 33 5 59 37 27 81 / + 33 5 59 37 27 79
    Email : central.centralhotel6@orange.fr

    Capacité : 18

    Groupes acceptés
  • 5
    **

    Hôtel | SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT
    qualite-tourisme.jpg
    logis.jpg

    Tel : + 33 5 59 37 03 91
    Fax : + 33 5 59 37 35 17
    Email : hotel.ramuntcho@wanadoo.fr
    Site : http://www.hotel-ramuntcho.com

    Capacité : 16

    Animaux admis Groupes acceptés
  • 6
    Hôtel-Restaurant Etche Ona

    Hôtel - Restaurant | SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT

    Tel : + 33 5 59 37 01 14
    Fax : + 33 5 59 37 35 69
    Email : etcheona@orange.fr

    Groupes acceptés
 
The chambres d'hote in SJPdP:

http://www.saintjeanpieddeport-pays...&village=SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT#.Uipq1D-wV1k

 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
The timing is different and so likely will not apply for you in September. However when I was in SJPP at the beginning of May this year ALL rooms (albergues and hotels) were full in SJPP by about 3:30 or 4:00 in the afternoon. Arrangements were being made for those who came in later to be driven to hotels in nearby towns... Just saying...
 
I stayed in Maison Errecaldia for 2 whole nights before I began the Camino. I had travelled from Australia and it had taken well over 30+ hrs of flights with one night in Paris before training it to SJ. It was absolutely necessary for my daughter and I to have our last pig-out in luxury before we began, and to spend time in this GORGEOUS town of SJPP that I had heard SO MUCH OF for soooooo long. I loved it, and needed it and after all the travelling - I was happy to know that I was absolutely certain of the accommodation I was going to at my last pit stop before walking out that door into the great unknown. SJ is a wonderful place to breathe and eat and observe. I had thought I had missed out -not staying in an albergue with others, but you really do get plenty of opportunity to catch up on that experience once you head out the door.
 
I stayed in Maison Errecaldia for 2 whole nights before I began the Camino. I had travelled from Australia and it had taken well over 30+ hrs of flights with one night in Paris before training it to SJ. It was absolutely necessary for my daughter and I to have our last pig-out in luxury before we began, and to spend time in this GORGEOUS town of SJPP that I had heard SO MUCH OF for soooooo long. I loved it, and needed it and after all the travelling - I was happy to know that I was absolutely certain of the accommodation I was going to at my last pit stop before walking out that door into the great unknown. SJ is a wonderful place to breathe and eat and observe. I had thought I had missed out -not staying in an albergue with others, but you really do get plenty of opportunity to catch up on that experience once you head out the door.

Thank you. Spirit is working, maybe your good thoughts went out there. I just got a belated email from Maison Errecaldia and got a room for my 2nd night there (he didn't have the 1st night I needed). It's less expensive and yes to be right in the neighborhood. And he sent me the best map. So I arrive late and crash a bit further out then come into the heart of St. Jean-Pied-de-Port.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
The timing is different and so likely will not apply for you in September. However when I was in SJPP at the beginning of May this year ALL rooms (albergues and hotels) were full in SJPP by about 3:30 or 4:00 in the afternoon. Arrangements were being made for those who came in later to be driven to hotels in nearby towns... Just saying...

Thank you for that helpful information. I just got a belated email and things are falling in to place. Thank you.
 
The chambres d'hote in SJPdP:

http://www.saintjeanpieddeport-pays...&village=SAINT-JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT#.Uipq1D-wV1k

Holy Cow!!!o_O
 
Falcon. Thank you for the great list of places to stay. I didn't find half of these when searching myself :)
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Thank you. Spirit is working, maybe your good thoughts went out there. I just got a belated email from Maison Errecaldia and got a room for my 2nd night there (he didn't have the 1st night I needed). It's less expensive and yes to be right in the neighborhood. And he sent me the best map. So I arrive late and crash a bit further out then come into the heart of St. Jean-Pied-de-Port.
Please give Tim my regards - tell him the old girl and the 10 year old from Australia say hello: Gina & Georgia. don't forget to add: "WE DID IT"
 
I returned home last week from SJPDP and noticed a few gites / albergues are closed for the season. I too stayed at Maison Errecaldia and couldn't recommend it highly enough. Tim is an excellent host.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
It really depends on what you want when you get to SJPDP, do you want a bed in an albergue? Do you want a room in a gîte? It makes no sense to drop €50+ for a private room if you plan on staying in Albergues for your Camino, you might as well just get a bed in an albergue in SJPDP and get your first taste of albergue living.
 
I have the same doubt. We have already bought the flight tickets and will arrive in Bordeaux on Janury 31st at 14h30. We now have two options: either to get the train that leaves Bordeaux at 18h and arrives to SJPdP at 22h30 or to stay a night in Bordeaux or Bayonne and catch the first train in the morning, arriving SJPdP as late as noon on the next day.

Truth is that we would much rather get to SJ on the 31st as we would prefer not having to spend much money on accomodation, but we are not sure if it would be possible to get a credential/bed at an albergue at this late hour (22h30/23h). Otherwise it would be probably less expensive to stay a night in Bordeaux (and we sure would arrive in SJ less tired and more prone to explore around!).
 
You can get your Credencial beforehand, either from your local pilgrims association or from the CSJ in London (http://www.csj.org.uk/) You can also contact the albergues directly and ask if they receive you so late in the day, for a list of all albergues on the CF and their contact info see http://www.caminodesantiago.me/comm...lbergues-on-the-camino-frances-in-one-pdf.10/
Buen Camino! SY

... will arrive in Bordeaux on Janury 31st at 14h30. We now have two options: either to get the train that leaves Bordeaux at 18h and arrives to SJPdP at 22h30 or to stay a night in Bordeaux or Bayonne and catch the first train in the morning, arriving SJPdP as late as noon on the next day.
Truth is that we would much rather get to SJ on the 31st as we would prefer not having to spend much money on accomodation, but we are not sure if it would be possible to get a credential/bed at an albergue at this late hour (22h30/23h). Otherwise it would be probably less expensive to stay a night in Bordeaux (and we sure would arrive in SJ less tired and more prone to explore around!).
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Thanks for your reply SY. I already had contacted the municipal albergue (Accueil Pelerin) and was awaiting on their answer. They've just replied that they always wait on the last train that arrives at Saint Jean to accommodate those pilgrims, so there won't be any problem on arriving after hours.

@PNWMC81 So here you go, you won't need to make any reservations at St. Jean, and neither will I :)
 
...
@PNWMC81 So here you go, you won't need to make any reservations at St. Jean, and neither will I :)

Glad it all worked out well! BTW Looking at the date PNWMC81 posted, s/he might well have already arrived in Santiago! Buen Camino! SY
 
I arrive on 25th April, 3weeks. I figured traveling from the states overnight then getting to SJPD so I booked a room at the Auberge Etchoinia. It's about 1.5 miles out of town so I'm told. I will record my stay after leaving the Auberge for future pilgrims thoughts.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-

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