Age to Check In to Albergue?

[Rambling Priest]

Friends,

My family of four has made it to Palas de Rei today and coming into town my wife slipped and sprained her ankle. She’s unable to finish.

We’re considering sending our 17 and 16 year old on with Camino friends to complete their journey and the two of us going to Santiago by taxi to wait for them, but wonder if they can check in to Albergues at this age or not. Is there an age limit (ie 18+) or not?

Thanks.

 

[Kanga]

I don't know the legal situation but there are often groups of school students walking the camino. I don't know if they always have an older person with them, if the friends walking with your sons are older then I guess they could fill the role of "supervising adult". You are so close to Santiago it would only be two or at most three nights. There are about 3 buses a day running along the route (it takes an hour and 15 minutes from Palas de Rei to Santiago). If necessary you could bus out and back to check them in, depending on the bus schedules. I had a friend once who used to take the bus into Santiago to attend mass, and then take the bus back to where she was staying.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I have not heard of a minimum age limit.

 

[C clearly]

Here is an earlier thread on the topic. (But I haven't read it through to see what it says.)

 

[dougfitz]

Here is an earlier thread on the topic. (But I haven't read it through to see what it says.)

There were several useful contributions on this thread, and it is probably better for those interested to go directly to it and read the ten or so posts for themselves.

 

[NM99]

Friends,

My family of four has made it to Palas de Rei today and coming into town my wife slipped and sprained her ankle. She’s unable to finish.

We’re considering sending our 17 and 16 year old on with Camino friends to complete their journey and the two of us going to Santiago by taxi to wait for them, but wonder if they can check in to Albergues at this age or not. Is there an age limit (ie 18+) or not?

Thanks.

My boys did the entire Francés in 2009, aged 16 and 19, with no issues.

 

[NM99]

My boys did the entire Francés in 2009, aged 16 and 19, with no issues.

Best experience ever, btw.

 

[Ronald H]

Friends,

My family of four has made it to Palas de Rei today and coming into town my wife slipped and sprained her ankle. She’s unable to finish.

We’re considering sending our 17 and 16 year old on with Camino friends to complete their journey and the two of us going to Santiago by taxi to wait for them, but wonder if they can check in to Albergues at this age or not. Is there an age limit (ie 18+) or not?

Thanks.

Bummer. I rolled my ankle when walking the via Francigena and had to wear a brace for 9 days. We did not stop our trip but just took a taxi or train to the next destination. After 9 days, I was able to walk again. You might consider doing that instead of stopping.

 

[dougfitz]

My boys did the entire Francés in 2009, aged 16 and 19, with no issues.

Unlike the OP's situation, one of them would have been able to act in loco parentis should the need for that have arisen. I personally don't think it would be reasonable to expect hospitaleros or others to carry that responsibility by letting two minors walk alone. Where I have seen minors walking, they have been accompanied by adult siblings or there is an adult in the group.

 

[LTfit]

This past July while walking the Norte I met a 17 year old young man from Portugalete who had walked from Irun. He joined a small group consisting of an Argentinian and 2 Slovenians. I joined them for the last 10 days. This young man was a delight to have around. Last year he walked his first pilgrimage from SJPdP to Santiago. When I asked him what his friends thought of his walks he replied, "they don't understand and would rather go to the beach or play football".

The last day he wanted to leave really early in order to arrive in Santiago before the Oficina de Peregrinos opened up and asked if I wanted to join him. Sure, I said, why not so we left at 4 a.m. walking almost 2 hours in the dark. Once in Santiago he treated me to breakfast as a thank-you for joining him. While in line at the Oficina he called his parents to tell them of his arrival. I told them that their son was a wonderful companion.

I think that it's wonderful that young adults walk the Camino. What an amazing experience!

And by the way, in the 6x I've volunteered in albergues along the Frances we never encountered "rules" regarding an age requirement.

 

[Barbara Whelan]

Friends,

My family of four has made it to Palas de Rei today and coming into town my wife slipped and sprained her ankle. She’s unable to finish.

We’re considering sending our 17 and 16 year old on with Camino friends to complete their journey and the two of us going to Santiago by taxi to wait for them, but wonder if they can check in to Albergues at this age or not. Is there an age limit (ie 18+) or not?

Thanks.

I’m so sad to hear of your wife‘s accident. The night before our last day into Santiago last autumn I slipped and broke two ribs and like your wife had to take a taxi to Santiago via the general hospital there. It’s heartbreaking when it happens. I wish you all well. That’s the Camino.

 

[Virginia G.]

Friends,

My family of four has made it to Palas de Rei today and coming into town my wife slipped and sprained her ankle. She’s unable to finish.

We’re considering sending our 17 and 16 year old on with Camino friends to complete their journey and the two of us going to Santiago by taxi to wait for them, but wonder if they can check in to Albergues at this age or not. Is there an age limit (ie 18+) or not?

Thanks.

My only experience with this question is, seeing a father and his 9 year-old daughter staying in my hostle in Portomarin. This was in 2019.