Accommodation?

[Wayfarer1]

So I guess I'm seeking reassurances...I'm walking the Camino from about the 22nd May for a month, I'm walking from Burgos, and aiming for anywhere from 12km to 20, depending on the day, but I'm aiming to be finding accommodation by 2.00 in the afternoon...however I've been reading posts recently thigh that comment on the busyness of the route and potential challenges of finding a bed. I'm not fussy about sleeping in the bigger dorm rooms, and I'd like to avoid booking more than half-a day in advance if possible, so people think it's doable to just wing it?

 

[naplesdon]

If it was me I would not be worried.

 

[Turga]

so people think it's doable to just wing it?

Many do, so I guess it’s doable. May is one of the busier months on the Francés, but your chances improve if you are flexible and willing to stay in the “non-official” places (those that are not stage-points in the guidebooks) and willing to perhaps walk on to the next village if all is full where you initially wanted to stay.

Buen Camino!

 

[peregrino_tom]

Bookers will book, chancers will chance it...
What's different about this year is that so far, the numbers have been very high, close to record levels, and may get higher still as people who delayed plans because of COVID decide 2023 is the year it is safe to return.
What's in your favour for winging it is that you are starting at a point where there's plenty of accommodation. And quite a lot of fast people will walk Burgos-Hontanas-Fromista, so pressure is reduced at Hornillos and Castrojeriz and other small places between. I think that gives you some licence to try out the 'winging it' approach and see how you get on. Whether it still works after Leon, or from Sarria is another matter - but you'll be a seasoned pilgrim by then and able to make decisions based on what you have learned..

 

[Pilgrim9]

"... but your chances improve if you are flexible and willing to stay in the “non-official” places (those that are not stage-points in the guidebooks) and willing to perhaps walk on to the next village if all is full where you initially wanted to stay."

In addition to lodging places at non-traditional stopping points right on the CF, there are others that are off to the side. If such a place is too far away to walk to, one may simply take a taxi there, and in the morning take a taxi back to where you left CF. There is nothing wrong with doing that.

It might be prudent to carry a mobile phone and also take note, in advance, of local taxi-cab company phone numbers per e.g. Google Maps searches and/or the colourful taxi company stickers that in certain areas sometimes blossom on power poles and sign-posts along The Way.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Despite what the alarmists like to say, numbers so far for this year for the part of the Camino where you are starting are normal for the four years preceding Covid and no one knows what the rest of the year will be like although some people on this forum think that they can see the future.

If you are flexible and resourceful then you are unlikely to have any problems.

 

[RosaScotland]

I, too, am walking the Frances in May. This will be my third time and I only book my first night for arriving after a long day travelling and my last night for getting up early for a flight home. Listening to some pilgrims can make me feel anxious about finding a bed but although I have come close to fully booked hostels, I have always found a bed without booking. Trust the Camino. Winging it adds to the intrigue and you can walk or stop whenever you feel like it. Buen Camino.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I agree with estorildon.
As long as you plan on being in town by 2 or 2:30 pm, I wouldn't worry.
And if lodging IS full, just bus or taxi to the next village.

 

[C clearly]

I'd like to avoid booking more than half-a day in advance if possible, so people think it's doable to just wing it?

Probably OK, but if not, you can start booking ahead a day or two.

 

[Anhalter]

Walked out of Burgos May 28th last year. Did pretty long days, so usually i arrived well past 2pm, sometimes as late as 5.30pm. Did not have an issue winging it, but chose to have a few reservations nontheless at certain places (like my private Airbnb in Leon as a treat to myself). No idea if numbers will be higher this year, but from my experience you'll likely be fine.

 

[Zordmot]

So I guess I'm seeking reassurances...I'm walking the Camino from about the 22nd May for a month, I'm walking from Burgos, and aiming for anywhere from 12km to 20, depending on the day, but I'm aiming to be finding accommodation by 2.00 in the afternoon...however I've been reading posts recently thigh that comment on the busyness of the route and potential challenges of finding a bed. I'm not fussy about sleeping in the bigger dorm rooms, and I'd like to avoid booking more than half-a day in advance if possible, so people think it's doable to just wing it?

I’ve done exactly what you describe here in May-June without issues or problems. My goal each day was to arrive no later than 2:00 and I usually was able to get into my first or second choice. Sometimes third. Many towns have that one large municipal or church albergue that has many beds and doesn’t accept reservations. That would be my back-up in case my choices weren’t available. I found that even if a popular albergue with fewer beds is “booked out” if you show up when they open (usually 1 or 2 pm) you can often get a bed due to cancellations. One advantage of being there before, say 3 pm is that you may be one of the early birds and will be able to get your choice of upper or lower bunk.

One tactic that I would keep in reserve while traveling without reservations is to have a backup-backup plan in case there truly are no available beds in a town. Almost all of the towns will have a smaller town 5-7 km further down the line where there is at least one albergue. In that case I would phone them ahead and see if I could reserve a bed for the night. And start walking.

Buen Camino!

 

[NorthernLight]

One tactic that I would keep in reserve while traveling without reservations is to have a backup-backup plan in case there truly are no available beds in a town. Almost all of the towns will have a smaller town 5-7 km further down the line where there is at least one albergue. In that case I would phone them ahead and see if I could reserve a bed for the night. And start walking.

And the hospitalero at the albergue/hostal who says they are full is likely willing to help make that phone call. They may know of other options also.

I make sure my budget will allow for an “emergency expensive bed” and then try to never spend it.

 

[SteveSherry]

So I guess I'm seeking reassurances...I'm walking the Camino from about the 22nd May for a month, I'm walking from Burgos, and aiming for anywhere from 12km to 20, depending on the day, but I'm aiming to be finding accommodation by 2.00 in the afternoon...however I've been reading posts recently thigh that comment on the busyness of the route and potential challenges of finding a bed. I'm not fussy about sleeping in the bigger dorm rooms, and I'd like to avoid booking more than half-a day in advance if possible, so people think it's doable to just wing it?

2pm arrival is good, but I turned up early at an Albergue once only to be confronted with a pile of suitcases and the news that if these people don’t arrive by 4pm, I might get in. I would book ahead these days. It’s just a phone call and gives peace of mind. BTW I had to walk another 8kms for a bed that night. Just ring the day bef or in the morning and set yourself up