Bus Station

[barryg]

Hello! I am three days away from SDC. It has been an absolute zoo since Sarria! I let all the students & groups pass & started stopping between stages & it got quiet again.

My question is: if I get to SDC & there is no place to stay, do you think me & my wife could sleep at the Estación de Autobuses? Last year, when I caught my bus to Lisbon, it seemed there were a lot of pilgrims that were sleeping there. I wondered if anyone knew the “official” answer.

I need to catch a bus at 8:00 am the next morning & with all lodging full, it might just be easier to sleep at the bus station.

Thanks for any info!

Barry

 

[Anamya]

Hi Barry
I really don't know about the bus station. But checking websites such as Booking.com, there is still a good amount of private accommodation available for Saturday, Sunday and Monday, so you will hopefully be fine
Maybe book ahead when you are sure of when you are arriving?
Buen Camino!

 

[Former member 49149]

Did you try the Albergue Acuario? It is really near the bus station. It is on the way in to the city on the Camino Frances. Good luck. To get into town, it is around a 15 minute walk.

 

[Stivandrer]

The Albergue Compostela ( 14€) is a short distance from the rail station and 35 mns walk to the bus station.
They also got 2 person cubicles...
It should be easy to get room for the night...
I also use booking.com

 

[Camino Chrissy]

My opinion is that the bus station in Santiago is not a nice place. It is old, rather dirty, smells of fuel and the seats are small and hard and would not be suitable for overnight sleeping. I've been there twice for just a couple of hourd and it leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[trecile]

When I arrived in Santiago on Saturday the 14th of September, I was approached several times by people who had rooms available for pilgrims. I'm sure that you will find a place to stay. If I were you I would call San Martín Pinario to see if there are any pilgrims rooms available. They are 25€ for a single, and I believe 40€ for a double, and include a large buffet breakfast. After the Parador it's the best location in Santiago.

Here's their website - don't use their booking form - either call or email.

Hospedería San Martín Pinario, Santiago de Compostela | Official Web Site

In Hospedería San Martín Pinario you can enjoy the unforgettable experience of living in a XVIth century monastery.

www.hsanmartinpinario.com

 

[t2andreo]

The rule for staying in rented accommodations in Santiago include:

• DO NOT enter town without having first sorted this out.
• BOOK AHEAD!!!
• Use Booking.com or Gronze.com (Spanish only) for leads or reservations.
• Go to the Office of Tourism for Santiago de Compostela, at Rua do Vila #63. They might be able to offer current suggestions.
• Consider staying at the Xunta Albergue in San Lazaro, just inside the boundary of the city of Santiago. Right after you cross the autovia, the albergue is to your right about 150 meters ahead. it is a granite colored, one-story, modern building. The #6 bus operates from here to the city center and old town every 20 minutes. The fare is €1.
• Another popular 'overflow location is the Semanario MENOR. It is about a 15 minutes walk to the Cathedral, and is located to the left of the Camino Frances about 10 minutes from the Puerta San Pedro entry into the old town.
• Use Google Maps. It works just fine in Santiago. Remember to change your units to Km.

Hope this helps.

 

[lt56ny]

When I arrived in Santiago on Saturday the 14th of September, I was approached several times by people who had rooms available for pilgrims. I'm sure that you will find a place to stay. If I were you I would call San Martín Pinario to see if there are any pilgrims rooms available. They are 25€ for a single, and I believe 40€ for a double, and include a large buffet breakfast. After the Parador it's the best location in Santiago.

Here's their website - don't use their booking form - either call or email.

Hospedería San Martín Pinario, Santiago de Compostela | Official Web Site

In Hospedería San Martín Pinario you can enjoy the unforgettable experience of living in a XVIth century monastery.

www.hsanmartinpinario.com

The only place to stay for the hip and stylish Pilgrim. It is where I always stay to end my Camino.

 

[C.K.]

The rule for staying in rented accommodations in Santiago include:

• Another popular 'overflow location is the Semanario MENOR. It is about a 15 minutes walk to the Cathedral, and is located to the left of the Camino Frances about 10 minutes from the Puerta San Pedro entry into the old town.

Stayed in Hostal Seminario Menor April, 2017. It had "private" room, a kitchen, a convenience store, etc. The surrounding was quiet and peaceful.

As @t2andreo described, it is a short walk to the Cathedral, the "food street", ...

 

[williamlittig]

Hello! I am three days away from SDC. It has been an absolute zoo since Sarria! I let all the students & groups pass & started stopping between stages & it got quiet again.

My question is: if I get to SDC & there is no place to stay, do you think me & my wife could sleep at the Estación de Autobuses? Last year, when I caught my bus to Lisbon, it seemed there were a lot of pilgrims that were sleeping there. I wondered if anyone knew the “official” answer.

I need to catch a bus at 8:00 am the next morning & with all lodging full, it might just be easier to sleep at the bus station.

Thanks for any info!

Barry

We have been volunteering the last two weeks at Pilgrim House and pilgrims are finding rooms. Walking home “The Last Stamp” had beds most nights at 5 PM

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have always seen "The Last Stamp" listed. I will remember it for my Spring Camino...maybe give it a chance this time!

 

[barryg]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I did find a room, but sadly (or not) 2,158 pilgrims (most, I presume from Sarria, school groups & tours) made it impossible for me to get my Compostela. I don’t want to minimize their Camino, but it is frustrating to have walked 480 miles only to be told there is “...no room at the inn.” While those who walked 60 miles DID receive one.

We had a bus reservation today, so couldn’t go in at 8:00 am.

But the Camino is inside, not a piece of paper. Still, dutifully collecting all those stamps. . .

Barry

 

[Former member 49149]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I did find a room, but sadly (or not) 2,158 pilgrims (most, I presume from Sarria, school groups & tours) made it impossible for me to get my Compostela. I don’t want to minimize their Camino, but it is frustrating to have walked 480 miles only to be told there is “...no room at the inn.” While those who walked 60 miles DID receive one.

We had a bus reservation today, so couldn’t go in at 8:00 am.

But the Camino is inside, not a piece of paper. Still, dutifully collecting all those stamps. . .

Barry

Barry, as you might have been advised elsewhere, hold on to your credencial. When you next are in Santiago, present it, if you still want a compostela. Don’t mind those who walked the 60 miles. They actually have a right to it, but that doesn’t take away the hurt of you not getting in time to get a number this time. I do understand, and am sorry because if it did not matter you would not be speaking about it. Well done, and make sure the credencial or more than one! Is kept safe and handy for revisiting each and every step of your camino, in the bleak midwinter!

 

[Karl Oz]

Stayed in Hostal Seminario Menor April, 2017. It had "private" room, a kitchen, a convenience store, etc. The surrounding was quiet and peaceful.

As @t2andreo described, it is a short walk to the Cathedral, the "food street", ...

I stayed there this year, and it does indeed have some appeal, including a laundry, private rooms, sheets, a pillow and a blanket(!) I thought the trudge from the cathedral back to the hostal not exactly 'short', but admittedly it was cold and wet when I was there.