Accommodation on the Camino Frances

[BeeHodge]

Hi all... I have read a few posts that some of you who are walking the Camino Frances this year, ( some in July) have already booked accommodation along the way, esp Roncesvalles?

I am starting my work from SJPdP front he 25/4 and have not booked anywhere as I understand that one cannot book the Pilgrim hostels?

Any advice or suggestions will be greatly received as I thought I would just go and book as I go along ... or is it not such a good idea?

Bee

 

[Bradypus]

In general you cannot book places in church or municipal albergues in advance. However, there are also many private albergues along the Frances which do accept reservations in advance. Also many private rooms in pensions and hotels which happily accept bookings through sites like booking.com. Personally I strongly dislike booking in advance as I do not like committing myself to a set distance at the start of a day and prefer to be flexible. The downside is of course the possibility of problems finding a bed later in the day. You have to decide which is more important to you - flexibility or assurance? A good compromise might be to book accommodation in advance for St Jean and Roncesvalles and then play it by ear. If you find yourself in a large 'wave' of pilgrims making beds in short supply then you can book a day or two ahead at a time. There should be no need for booking much further ahead than that at any time.

 

[BeeHodge]

In general you cannot book places in church or municipal albergues in advance. However, there are also many private albergues along the Frances which do accept reservations in advance. Also many private rooms in pensions and hotels which happily accept bookings through sites like booking.com. Personally I strongly dislike booking in advance as I do not like committing myself to a set distance at the start of a day and prefer to be flexible. The downside is of course the possibility of problems finding a bed later in the day. You have to decide which is more important to you - flexibility or assurance? A good compromise might be to book accommodation in advance for St Jean and Roncesvalles and then play it by ear. If you find yourself in a large 'wave' of pilgrims making beds in short supply then you can book a day or two ahead at a time. There should be no need for booking much further ahead than that at any time.

Thank you... like. You I dont like to book in advanced as I like to take it as it comes and I am not sure where I will end up!!

I am starting my walk on the 25/4 from SJPdP, so I am hoping that it isn't a busy season and that I will get accommodation at the villages I stop, does anyone know what time these manucipal abergues close?

 

[mspath]

Bee,
You can check the closing times of albergues in this Eroski.com list for the Camino Frances.
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/mobile/albergues/
Tap each entry to see the address, owner, opening/closing times, etc.

Happy research and Buen camino!

 

[Bradypus]

The Gronze website is also very useful and also lists private accommodation which Eroski does not normally mention.
https://www.gronze.com/camino-frances

 

[BeeHodge]

Bee,
You can check the closing times of albergues in this Eroski.com list for the Camino Frances.
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/mobile/albergues/
Tap each entry to see the address, owner, opening/closing times, etc.

Happy research and Buen camino!

Wow!!! Thank you!! This is so helpful... I bought a book on the Pilgrim Guides on accommodation but the links are going to be so useful.... are these municipals or privates? I want to try and stay in the public pilgrim hostels...

 

[mspath]

Wow!!! Thank you!! This is so helpful... I bought a book on the Pilgrim Guides on accommodation but the links are going to be so useful.... are these municipals or privates? I want to try and stay in the public pilgrim hostels...

The Eroski lists a mix of public/private albergues not regular tourist accommodation.
Once you tap the entry the distinction will be stated. Generally the public albergues are cited first for each location.

 

[BeeHodge]

Wow!!! Thank you!! This is so helpful... I bought a book on the Pilgrim Guides on accommodation but the links are going to be so useful.... are these municipals or privates? I want to try and stay in the public pilgrim hostels...

The Eroski lists a mix of public/private albergues not regular tourist accommodation.
Once you tap the entry the distinction will be stated. Generally the public albergues are cited first for each location.

 

[BeeHodge]

Is there a way to view in English as the sites are listed in French?

 

[Bradypus]

Is there a way to view in English as the sites are listed in French?

There is no English language version built into the website. However if you use Google Chrome as your web browser you can automatically translate the pages using the small icon at the right-end of the address bar. I find that the simplest way to deal with any foreign-language websites. A more laborious way is to copy the URL and paste it into a translation engine like https://translate.google.co.uk/?hl=en&tab=wT

 

[mspath]

The addresses for the locations in France might be listed in French but the Eroski list is Spanish with the possibility of a translation into English via your browser.

 

[Lance Chambers]

I changed by booking preferences as I moved on. If I had decided to do a short days walk - 4-6 hours I wouldn't bother to book as I knew I'd arrive early in the day and was almost guarnteed a bed. Note I normally leave my accomodation around 5:30 - 6:00 AM so I would normally get in as the hostels were opening.

However, if I planned to walk 30+ kms which took me about 8-10 hours with meals, coffees, etc., I would book.

 

[BeeHodge]

There is no English language version built into the website. However if you use Google Chrome as your web browser you can automatically translate the pages using the small icon at the right-end of the address bar. I find that the simplest way to deal with any foreign-language websites. A more laborious way is to copy the URL and paste it into a translation engine like https://translate.google.co.uk/?hl=en&tab=wT

Thank you... will try

 

[BeeHodge]

I changed by booking preferences as I moved on. If I had decided to do a short days walk - 4-6 hours I wouldn't bother to book as I knew I'd arrive early in the day and was almost guarnteed a bed. Note I normally leave my accomodation around 5:30 - 6:00 AM so I would normally get in as the hostels were opening.

However, if I planned to walk 30+ kms which took me about 8-10 hours with meals, coffees, etc., I would book.

Thank you.. I plan to walk about 15 -18 miles a day so hopefully I can get to the municipal hostels early!!

 

[Anthony18]

Bee,
You can check the closing times of albergues in this Eroski.com list for the Camino Frances.
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/mobile/albergues/
Tap each entry to see the address, owner, opening/closing times, etc.

Happy research and Buen camino!

Thanks for sharing such an amazing resource!!

 

[trecile]

I changed by booking preferences as I moved on. If I had decided to do a short days walk - 4-6 hours I wouldn't bother to book as I knew I'd arrive early in the day and was almost guarnteed a bed. Note I normally leave my accomodation around 5:30 - 6:00 AM so I would normally get in as the hostels were opening.

However, if I planned to walk 30+ kms which took me about 8-10 hours with meals, coffees, etc., I would book.

I did the same. If I decided at noon that I wanted to push on another 10 km or so, I would book a place when I stopped for lunch.

 

[andywild]

i'm doing frances in april.. i think i am just going to wing it.. where are you travelling from? i am east coast of england and havent worked out the best way to get to the start yet so if anyone has any juicy tips feel free to let me know.

 

[BeeHodge]

i'm doing frances in april.. i think i am just going to wing it.. where are you travelling from? i am east coast of england and havent worked out the best way to get to the start yet so if anyone has any juicy tips feel free to let me know.

Sorry haven't been on the forum for a while.. I m in the South West and starting from
SJPdP on the 25/4... have you booked your flight?

Bee

 

[andywild]

Bee[/QUOTE]

Sorry haven't been on the forum for a while.. I m in the South West and starting from
SJPdP on the 25/4... have you booked your flight?

Bee

Hiya yeah got flight booked. Hostel booked... Getting kit together, trying to learn how to walk before I set off feel free to message me if you want a chat.. I can fill you in on what I know so far (should take about 2 minutes lol)