Advanced Booking

[GRANT CICCONE]

Dear Friends,

Is it advisable to book accomodation along the Camino Frances in advance? I am planning on walking my Camino in August/September of this year.

 

[Waka]

I did my CF Sept / Oct last year and didn't pre-book any accommodation along the way, There was never a night when I had a problem getting somewhere to lay my head. During my journey, apart from the major cities I stayed off the stages in the guidebook, one or two places I was the only pilgrim in the albergue.
So in answer to your question, there is no need to pre-book, on the other hand if you're nervous about finding somewhere to sleep then there's no rules that say you can't pre-book.
One other thing with pre-booking, it does limit spontaneity

Hope this helps.

 

[SYates]

If you plan to walk from SJPdP I would book the first night there in advance, especially if you are arriving latish. Depending from where you are traveling you might also want to book a second night there to get over jet-lag. If you want to stay in Orrisson to break up the etappe over the pyrenees you need to book asap as it fills up very, very quickly and months in advance. After that I would just wing it. Buen Camino, SY

 

[Susan finn]

If you plan to walk from SJPdP I would book the first night there in advance, especially if you are arriving latish. Depending from where you are traveling you might also want to book a second night there to get over jet-lag. If you want to stay in Orrisson to break up the etappe over the pyrenees you need to book asap as it fills up very, very quickly and months in advance. After that I would just wing it. Buen Camino, SY

 

[Susan finn]

Thanks for for that advice SYates. We arrive on the train about 7ish pm on the 4th April to SJPDP. So I will look into booking somewhere that night (any recommendations?) I am waiting to hear back from Orisson and understand that may take a while and dependant on the weather too. I had just planned to go with the flow after that. Susan

 

[mspath]

In SJPdP you can always 'wing it". When you arrive go to the Pilgrims' office of the Amis du Chemin de Saint Jacques at 39 rue de la Citadelle. They can provide you with a Credential and on site lodging assistance. Their telephone is 05 59 37 05 09. In season the pilgrims office is open from 7h30 to 12h30 and then from 13h30 to 22h. They keep up to the minute lists of ALL available space throughout the SJPdP area, both pilgrim albergues as well as tourist accommodation.

MM

 

[NualaOC]

Hi Grant, it's totally a matter of personal preference. It's not strictly necessary, but many people choose to book in advance.

I always book my first and sometimes my second night. After that, pre-bookings can IMO be a bit restrictive. My best Camino memories are of the small places that don't take bookings.

There are a few other threads on this subject - including this one https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...albergues-pensions-hostels.36956/#post-367448

Buen Camino!

 

[shubertj]

Dear Friends,

Is it advisable to book accomodation along the Camino Frances in advance? I am planning on walking my Camino in August/September of this year.

You don't need to book in advance. My only advise would be that a lot of pilgrims start on Sept 1 in St Jean so I would intentionally miss the 1st as a start date.

 

[jeffnd]

In SJPdP you can always 'wing it". When you arrive go to the Pilgrims' office of the Amis du Chemin de Saint Jacques at 39 rue de la Citadelle. They can provide you with a Credential and on site lodging assistance. Their telephone is 05 59 37 05 09. In season the pilgrims office is open from 7h30 to 12h30 and then from 13h30 to 22h. They keep up to the minute lists of ALL available space throughout the SJPdP area, both pilgrim albergues as well as tourist accommodation.

MM

The Pilgrims' Office helped me get lodging when I arrived in St. Jean fairly late at night.

On another note, I've noticed a quite a few threads about pre-booking accommodations. These folks are talking about private rooms and casa rurals, right? The regular old bed in a room with a bunch of other beds are still first-come, first-serve, right?

 

[C clearly]

These folks are talking about private rooms and casa rurals, right? The regular old bed in a room with a bunch of other beds are still first-come, first-serve, right?

Not quite. Many albergues are privately run, and will take reservations even for beds in a room with other people. The municipal and church-run albergues (run by volunteers) generally don't take reservations.

 

[jeffnd]

Not quite. Many albergues are privately run, and will take reservations even for beds in a room with other people. The municipal and church-run albergues (run by volunteers) generally don't take reservations.

In 2014, I was able to walk from St. Jean to Santiago and never once made a reservation. And I stayed in private, municipal, and church albergues. I loved the freedom just being able to walk as far or as short as I felt like that day. I don't think I'd be all that interested in walking if albergues starting operating on a booking system!

 

[C clearly]

In 2014, I was able to walk from St. Jean to Santiago and never once made a reservation. And I stayed in private, municipal, and church albergues. I loved the freedom just being able to walk as far or as short as I felt like that day. I don't think I'd be all that interested in walking if albergues starting operating on a booking system!

I am not recommending that anyone make reservations - I was just answering the specific question. It is already a fact that many private albergues do take reservations for dorm beds. Sometimes they are heavily booked with groups.

 

[jeffnd]

I am not recommending that anyone make reservations - I was just answering the specific question. It is already a fact that many private albergues do take reservations for dorm beds. Sometimes they are heavily booked with groups.

I know, I'm just hoping the whole Camino doesn't become like that!

 

[Susan finn]

In SJPdP you can always 'wing it". When you arrive go to the Pilgrims' office of the Amis du Chemin de Saint Jacques at 39 rue de la Citadelle. They can provide you with a Credential and on site lodging assistance. Their telephone is 05 59 37 05 09. In season the pilgrims office is open from 7h30 to 12h30 and then from 13h30 to 22h. They keep up to the minute lists of ALL available space throughout the SJPdP area, both pilgrim albergues as well as tourist accommodation.

MM

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Dear Friends,

Is it advisable to book accomodation along the Camino Frances in advance? I am planning on walking my Camino in August/September of this year.

in galicia, definitely. i am assuming you are not staying at the municipal albergues (no bookings). places with ensuite toilets and private rooms will fill. buen camino!