BROWNCOUNTYBOB
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances: 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021
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My thoughts exactly. Works for me, but many others who count their pennies, especially younger folks, may have to find a way around these new potential challenges.Bottom line, whenever the Camino Frances opens again, it will be more expensive. Many places are now accepting reservations. I don't mind the added expense. We can't wait to be hiking our beloved Camino Frances again next fall ! BCB
Or have the menu del dia instead of eating at fine Spanish restaurants with Michelin stars...I've yet to experience one of those.While perhaps a little more expensive, I think if a person still stayed in Albergues as the primary lodging, the difference would be negligible (<€100 total or €3/night overall). Enjoy a couple of group dinners at the Albergues per week instead of menu del dias and you can recover those extra costs
During our first Camino Frances (2015), my wife and I spent on average 35 euros / day / person. We mostly stayed in municipal albergues, and only a few overnights in hotels or private albergues. During our second camino (2017), we hiked with my brother and his wife. We stayed mostly in "quad rooms", a few private albergues, and a few municipal albergues. We averaged 50 euros / day / person. During our last camino (2019), we stayed in private rooms every night and I did not keep records of daily expenses.
Since the dollar has weakened vs the euro, I was curious how much more the camino frances would be if we stayed in the same places as 2017 using the 2017 rate vs the current rate. On 1 Oct 2017, the euro was $1.1776 vs current rate $1.22. Some quick math suggests that at the current exchange rate, our camino would cost $183 more.
In reality, a 2021 will likely be higher. I made most of our private room reservations for our 2021 camino in July, 2020. A few days ago, I "spot checked" the rates on Booking.com. In several cases, a private room cost has increased several euros compared to the rate I locked in this summer. Some prices have increased as much as 20 euros higher for the same day, same albergue. In one case, in which I negotiated directly with the hotel, I was quoted 85 euros for a private room without breakfast. I checked Booking.com and the room price had dropped to 74 euros, including breakfast! I sent the hotel and email and pointed this out, and they were happy to drop my room rate to 74 euros, including breakfast.
Bottom line, whenever the Camino Frances opens again, it will be more expensive. Many places are now accepting reservations. I don't mind the added expense. We can't wait to be hiking our beloved Camino Frances again next fall ! BCB
Or have the menu del dia instead of eating at fine Spanish restaurants with Michelin stars...I've yet to experience one of those.
Don’t think they would let me and my dusty hiking boots in a Michelin starred establishment even if I could afford itOr have the menu del dia instead of eating at fine Spanish restaurants with Michelin stars...I've yet to experience one of those.
Wear your posh evening Crocs...they will be sure to let you in.Don’t think they would let me and my dusty hiking boots in a Michelin starred establishment even if I could afford it
You would be surprised. Many 1 and 2 star places are surprisingly humble and run by people more passionate about food than the state of their clients’ footwear. Set menus, especially at lunch time are often affordable so long as you don’t stray too far down the wine list.Don’t think they would let me and my dusty hiking boots in a Michelin starred establishment even if I could afford it
You would be surprised. Many 1 and 2 star places are surprisingly humble and run by people more passionate about food than the state of their clients’ footware. Set menus, especially at lunch time are often affordable so long as you don’t stray too far down the wine list.
when you get to 3 star, it can be a whole different ball-game where the assessors appraise the quality of the glassware and table linen as much as the food.
there are exceptions but the ‘value’ (a very subjective term) is in the rural 1 stars, in my opinion.
Linder, You will have an experience for sure when you do go. I am not sure which camino you will do but I would assume it is the Camino Frances. I have no idea what the costs will be in the future when we can go or what the exchange rate will be either.I am one of the people that has never done a camino before, so when I finally get to do it, I won't feel sadness at the prices, as I won't know what this alburgue or that meal used to cost.
I should count that as one of the blessings in disguise of having to miss out on the camino I had planned earlier this year.
Another blessing is the fact that I've had extra time to save money, as if I had gone on my original planned date, finances would have been very tight.
Great. I thought you would have a view Tincatinker, what with the prices of transport in England.To put a UK perspective on the "soaring" costs of Camino: I've been route planning and assessing accommodation options for walking both the Thames Path, Kemble to Tower Bridge, and The Wye from Plynlimon to Chepstow. Accommodation, mainly Pub B&B, is coming out between £1500 & £2000, £100+ a night, evening meal on top. Travel's a bit of a pain too. A train to Kemble from home is considerably dearer than a flight to Madrid and train to just about anywhere in Spain.
Still, I will at least be walking even if my wallet is wincing.
A good way to support the local accommodation owners is to book direct, not through booking agencies. In most cases they will match the lower rate or better it directly or indirectly and still be better off. As convenient as the agencies are they come at a cost to the establishment.I believe when you lock-in a rate with booking.com......the establishment cannot change the lock-in rate. However, if the exchange rate fluctuates then the price may vary bit. Sometimes, if you can book early and get a rate you are happy with and still can cancel free of chargelater, booking early can be advantageous.
Its a laugh innit. Costs me more by rail or taxi to do 26 miles to Gatwick than it does to fly Gatwick to Madrid. I walked it once, just 'cos I could, but 26 miles is pushing my old bones these days.Great. I thought you would have a view Tincatinker, what with the prices of transport in England.
One of my most memorable Camino experiences involved a Michelin starred restaurant on the chemin piemont about six years ago.Don’t think they would let me and my dusty hiking boots in a Michelin starred establishment even if I could afford it
I have dined, en tenue du pelèrin (tr: evidently tromping clothes, but more or less clean) in three Michelin restaurants and was treated with with civility and respect 2 of the 3--- in the third the waiter was problematic but the owner saw this and shooed him away, and served me himself, with after-dinner brandy on the house. One set menu was 16 euro and easily the equivalent of a $100 meal in Montréal. Another was 18 euro. At one of them, my walking companion and I were the object of much interest by other patrons and I think we are to be found in a few slide shows. Much wonder was focussed on our packs, helpfully propped in a corner by the waiter.Don’t think they would let me and my dusty hiking boots in a Michelin starred establishment even if I could afford it
I'm willing to pay the price of admission. My mental health is worth it.
Life’s great conundrum, your time or your money. As my Dad said, “coffins don’t have cash registers.”Well I’ve saved the cost of this year’s full camino (and probably another week on a shorter route); the pubs are shut in much of the UK and it looks like being a quiet Christmas.
Whilst recognising that the prospect of any international holiday is unaffordable to many, from my privileged position I think that my 2020 savings will cover inflation for some time to come.
The operators of the exceptionally low-cost accommodation and catering on which many peregrinos rely also deserve the chance to slowly recoup their losses in due course. If they survive 2020 it will be at the expense of personal savings in many cases. If my €10 menu suddenly cost €12, I’d swallow it - literally and metaphorically.
How quickly many people lose sight of this awesome and inexpensive treasure called Spain.Walking the Camino(s) in Spain is probably the cheapest way of enjoying a Mediterranian country holiday (for some/all). Come on: We all know that the prices in Spain are extremely low, compared to most countries. And Spain is offering great walks, good cuisine, GREAT wines & beers, and a friendly, hospitable people.
Me too!!Things change...I will ante up with no bad feelings...I just wanna go!
I walked 2019. On average the Albergues dinners were more expensive than menu del dias. The only time the dinners were offered were when there were no other meal options in the area.While perhaps a little more expensive, I think if a person still stayed in Albergues as the primary lodging, the difference would be negligible (<€100 total or €3/night overall). Enjoy a couple of group dinners at the Albergues per week instead of menu del dias and you can recover those extra costs
Amen!I daily swing between total dispare of things ever opening up for another Camino and detailing my plans for my next Camino.
It's almost like a sickness.
I'm willing to pay the price of admission. My mental health is worth it.
Maybe @jozero meant the kind of albergue dinners where pilgrims pitch in on groceries and cook their own meal in the albergue.I walked 2019. On average the Albergues dinners were more expensive than menu del dias. The only time the dinners were offered were when there were no other meal options in the area.
Agreed ( edit: just saw @trecile post and she was correct!). I was actually referring to communal dinners where a group comes together to share costs at the local grocery store and make their own meals. Usually I found these to cost €3-€6 per person which helps with daily expenses and creates a great sense of communityI walked 2019. On average the Albergues dinners were more expensive than menu del dias. The only time the dinners were offered were when there were no other meal options in the area.
I agree with you , some Albergues and meals were way too cheap and no business could or should sustain that tight margin of profit . I just hope they will still be in operation when I return . Most were most helpful and friendly .The title of this thread:
"2021 Camino Frances - will be more expensive !"
is IMHO a bit/very misleading: It should have been:
"2021 Camino Frances - will be a bit less cheap."
Why?
Walking the Camino(s) in Spain is probably the cheapest way of enjoying a Mediterranian country holiday (for some/all). Come on: We all know that the prices in Spain are extremely low, compared to most countries. And Spain is offering great walks, good cuisine, GREAT wines & beers, and a friendly, hospitable people.
I, for one, will expect/hope the prices to rise somewhat. We are walking mostly in rural areas, the locals have depending on us for their income, we have been away for a year now, and they have to compensate for it (If their businesses have survided at all). I can only imagine what it must have been like for so many of our good helpers along the various Caminos, losing a year of pilgrim income. It feels in my heart.
As a happy walker also in the future (for sure!), I am prepared to share my (not so much) money with the people along the Camino(s) who make it possible for me to walk again.
I can twist an old saying/mantra:
"The Camino will give you what you need, not necessarily what you want"
to
"The pilgrims will return and give you what you need, not necessarily what you want".
I hope so. I have much pain for the good people along the Camino now,
well, let us wait and see, what 2021 will bring. I definitely will not be going next year.During our first Camino Frances (2015), my wife and I spent on average 35 euros / day / person. We mostly stayed in municipal albergues, and only a few overnights in hotels or private albergues. During our second camino (2017), we hiked with my brother and his wife. We stayed mostly in "quad rooms", a few private albergues, and a few municipal albergues. We averaged 50 euros / day / person. During our last camino (2019), we stayed in private rooms every night and I did not keep records of daily expenses.
Since the dollar has weakened vs the euro, I was curious how much more the camino frances would be if we stayed in the same places as 2017 using the 2017 rate vs the current rate. On 1 Oct 2017, the euro was $1.1776 vs current rate $1.22. Some quick math suggests that at the current exchange rate, our camino would cost $183 more.
In reality, a 2021 will likely be higher. I made most of our private room reservations for our 2021 camino in July, 2020. A few days ago, I "spot checked" the rates on Booking.com. In several cases, a private room cost has increased several euros compared to the rate I locked in this summer. Some prices have increased as much as 20 euros higher for the same day, same albergue. In one case, in which I negotiated directly with the hotel, I was quoted 85 euros for a private room without breakfast. I checked Booking.com and the room price had dropped to 74 euros, including breakfast! I sent the hotel and email and pointed this out, and they were happy to drop my room rate to 74 euros, including breakfast.
Bottom line, whenever the Camino Frances opens again, it will be more expensive. Many places are now accepting reservations. I don't mind the added expense. We can't wait to be hiking our beloved Camino Frances again next fall ! BCB
I can attest to 2 occurrences (both slightly different but "fit" as per this part of thread)Wear your posh evening Crocs...they will be sure to let you in.
Inevitable so happy to pay. 2022 is looking good for my plans!During our first Camino Frances (2015), my wife and I spent on average 35 euros / day / person. We mostly stayed in municipal albergues, and only a few overnights in hotels or private albergues. During our second camino (2017), we hiked with my brother and his wife. We stayed mostly in "quad rooms", a few private albergues, and a few municipal albergues. We averaged 50 euros / day / person. During our last camino (2019), we stayed in private rooms every night and I did not keep records of daily expenses.
Since the dollar has weakened vs the euro, I was curious how much more the camino frances would be if we stayed in the same places as 2017 using the 2017 rate vs the current rate. On 1 Oct 2017, the euro was $1.1776 vs current rate $1.22. Some quick math suggests that at the current exchange rate, our camino would cost $183 more.
In reality, a 2021 will likely be higher. I made most of our private room reservations for our 2021 camino in July, 2020. A few days ago, I "spot checked" the rates on Booking.com. In several cases, a private room cost has increased several euros compared to the rate I locked in this summer. Some prices have increased as much as 20 euros higher for the same day, same albergue. In one case, in which I negotiated directly with the hotel, I was quoted 85 euros for a private room without breakfast. I checked Booking.com and the room price had dropped to 74 euros, including breakfast! I sent the hotel and email and pointed this out, and they were happy to drop my room rate to 74 euros, including breakfast.
Bottom line, whenever the Camino Frances opens again, it will be more expensive. Many places are now accepting reservations. I don't mind the added expense. We can't wait to be hiking our beloved Camino Frances again next fall ! BCB
As Bronco Billy (Clint Eastwood, awful film) would say "Handouts you get from the government, hand ups you get from a friend"Our world has been hurt by this pandemic and Spain has suffered more than many as they already had huge unemployment and the Camino economy added to that hurt. Think of it as a hand up, helping our friends recover. Not mercy but honest generosity , we will all feel better sharing, volunteering and sauntering.
Succinct!Nope
Would love to hear from former pilgrims their thoughts on the possibility of hotels only in 2022 for the Camino Frances and how to effectively book them. My husband is 6’10” and is too long for bunk beds. I understand what will be missed by not staying in Albergues. Any guidance would be appreciated.During our first Camino Frances (2015), my wife and I spent on average 35 euros / day / person. We mostly stayed in municipal albergues, and only a few overnights in hotels or private albergues. During our second camino (2017), we hiked with my brother and his wife. We stayed mostly in "quad rooms", a few private albergues, and a few municipal albergues. We averaged 50 euros / day / person. During our last camino (2019), we stayed in private rooms every night and I did not keep records of daily expenses.
Since the dollar has weakened vs the euro, I was curious how much more the camino frances would be if we stayed in the same places as 2017 using the 2017 rate vs the current rate. On 1 Oct 2017, the euro was $1.1776 vs current rate $1.22. Some quick math suggests that at the current exchange rate, our camino would cost $183 more.
In reality, a 2021 will likely be higher. I made most of our private room reservations for our 2021 camino in July, 2020. A few days ago, I "spot checked" the rates on Booking.com. In several cases, a private room cost has increased several euros compared to the rate I locked in this summer. Some prices have increased as much as 20 euros higher for the same day, same albergue. In one case, in which I negotiated directly with the hotel, I was quoted 85 euros for a private room without breakfast. I checked Booking.com and the room price had dropped to 74 euros, including breakfast! I sent the hotel and email and pointed this out, and they were happy to drop my room rate to 74 euros, including breakfast.
Bottom line, whenever the Camino Frances opens again, it will be more expensive. Many places are now accepting reservations. I don't mind the added expense. We can't wait to be hiking our beloved Camino Frances again next fall ! BCB
Might want to start a new post..Would love to hear from former pilgrims their thoughts on the possibility of hotels only in 2022 for the Camino Frances and how to effectively book them. My husband is 6’10” and is too long for bunk beds. I understand what will be missed by not staying in Albergues. Any guidance would be appreciated.
And accurate. There isn’t a definitive list of albergues which will exist by the end of 2021.Succinct!
When using booking.com it's a good idea to check on Gronze to see which hotels, pensions, etc. are on or close to the Camino. Don't rely on getting that information from booking.com!Gronze.com is also a good resource
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