- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2016, 2022, 2023, 2024, planned 2025
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Hi All,
Phil and I will be hospitaleros at the Municipal Albergue in Zamora from Dec 16-31. I had not thought about returning to Madrid on Jan 1 until this week and have realized that because it was a holiday that train and bus schedules might be impacted. When I went to book a train ticket, only one late possibility came up yesterday not putting us into Madrid until late evening. I have also checked the bus schedule and all the buses are later in the day as well. One option that did come up was BlaBlaCar. I looked it up and it says it is some kind of shared ride service or car pool. I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this service in Spain. Is it like Uber in the US or is it something different? How dependable would it be to book something like that.
Thanks,
Janet
Laurie, Janet and I are really looking forward to serving in Zamora! It is amazing how things work out.And I just realized that you are looking for transportation weeks in advance. From what I have been told, you frequently need to wait till a few days before to nail something down.
Would love to hear how you find blabla car if you use it. And lucky lucky you, Christmas and New Years in one of the nicest cities in Spain! Buen camino, Laurie
Thanks Jan_D, that sounds good.I've used blablacar loads for travelling around Europe. Met some great people, had some great adventures. It's basically a car-pooling website. You need to create an account with a picture of yourself and a little bit of biographical info (people won't be as inclined to offer you a lift if you haven't at least provided a photo). Once you've joined, you can post an ad or check whether anyone else is offering a lift. If the latter, you will see the driver's info, along with reviews from all his or her passengers thus far. You basically just help pay towards petrol costs (price will be quoted).
Thanks Kirkie!I started a reply some hours ago but in between it has disappeared. I have used it, once. I was delighted as it meant I reached Pamplona before the bus from Bilbao. Jan has described it very well, and Peregrina 2000 added a valuable ps, you have to keep an eye out as folk might only advertise the trip a day or so in advance. Wish you well, and hope you have a good experience. I will certainly aim to use it again.
Hi All,
Phil and I will be hospitaleros at the Municipal Albergue in Zamora from Dec 16-31. I had not thought about returning to Madrid on Jan 1 until this week and have realized that because it was a holiday that train and bus schedules might be impacted. When I went to book a train ticket, only one late possibility came up yesterday not putting us into Madrid until late evening. I have also checked the bus schedule and all the buses are later in the day as well. One option that did come up was BlaBlaCar. I looked it up and it says it is some kind of shared ride service or car pool. I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this service in Spain. Is it like Uber in the US or is it something different? How dependable would it be to book something like that.
Thanks,
Janet
Thank you for sharing your experience!I've used BlablaCar to travel around Galicia since I've moved here, as I don't own a car. Met really nice people and never had a problem. I'd recommend checking the website or app a couple of weeks before traveling, not too ahead, as people post their trips around 1 to 2 weeks in advance. Hope this helps!
You are going to love it... my best hospitalera experience!Laurie, Janet and I are really looking forward to serving in Zamora! It is amazing how things work out.
Phil
Wonderful!!Hi All,
Phil and I will be hospitaleros at the Municipal Albergue in Zamora from Dec 16-31. I had not thought about returning to Madrid on Jan 1 until this week and have realized that because it was a holiday that train and bus schedules might be impacted. When I went to book a train ticket, only one late possibility came up yesterday not putting us into Madrid until late evening. I have also checked the bus schedule and all the buses are later in the day as well. One option that did come up was BlaBlaCar. I looked it up and it says it is some kind of shared ride service or car pool. I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this service in Spain. Is it like Uber in the US or is it something different? How dependable would it be to book something like that.
Thanks,
Janet
Well a short update on my attempt! I went to the website and made a profile. I thought my Spanish would be good enough, but I ended up posting that I was actually GIVING a ride instead of trying to get one. Had to delete.I will probably try again after my bruised ego heals a little.
Phil had another idea about getting back to Madrid earlier on Jan 1. He was thinking about taking the train back to Madrid in late December and getting a rental car and driving back to Zamora the same day. More expensive, but gives us more flexibility to leave when we want on Jan 1 and maybe see a few other things on our way back. There is a car rental desk at our hotel in Madrid so that would be relatively convenient.
I'm pretty sure I can run the albergue for one day by myself if needed. We are told that there may not be many pilgrims at this time in December.
In case you are wondering why we aren't walking to Zamora, Phil fell and had a severe knee injury this summer. We had planned to do one or more short winter caminos, but the knee injury has been a long time healing and may still require surgical intervention. Giving back as hospitaleros seemed to be the right thing to do instead.
Yes, I had thought we might make some time to stop in Salamanca at least if we had a car. Might be able to do the San Pedro de la Nave one morning even before we leave if we had a car.Hi, J and P,
So sorry to hear about the knee injury. Fingers crossed that Phil's recovery goes well.
I think the idea about a rental car is a good one. I'm not sure if you are a fan of ancient churches (the city of Zamora has more than 24 Romanesque churches itself). If you are, having a rental would also give you the opportunity to visit the really beautiful San Pedro de la Nave, about 24 km outside Zamora. It's Visigothic (7th century!!!) and has an amazing capital of Daniel in the Lion's Den. This is one of those churches, like the one in Portomarin, that was moved stone by stone to avoid flooding when a dam was built.
I don't know how much you have traveled around that part of Spain, but depending on how much time you want to take, Salamanca, Segovia, and Avila are all in easy striking distance. Sounds like a wonderful way to greet the new year. Buen camino, Laurie
Hi All,
Phil and I will be hospitaleros at the Municipal Albergue in Zamora from Dec 16-31. I had not thought about returning to Madrid on Jan 1 until this week and have realized that because it was a holiday that train and bus schedules might be impacted. When I went to book a train ticket, only one late possibility came up yesterday not putting us into Madrid until late evening. I have also checked the bus schedule and all the buses are later in the day as well. One option that did come up was BlaBlaCar. I looked it up and it says it is some kind of shared ride service or car pool. I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this service in Spain. Is it like Uber in the US or is it something different? How dependable would it be to book something like that.
Thanks,
Janet
Hi All,
Phil and I will be hospitaleros at the Municipal Albergue in Zamora from Dec 16-31. I had not thought about returning to Madrid on Jan 1 until this week and have realized that because it was a holiday that train and bus schedules might be impacted. When I went to book a train ticket, only one late possibility came up yesterday not putting us into Madrid until late evening. I have also checked the bus schedule and all the buses are later in the day as well. One option that did come up was BlaBlaCar. I looked it up and it says it is some kind of shared ride service or car pool. I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this service in Spain. Is it like Uber in the US or is it something different? How dependable would it be to book something like that.
Thanks,
Janet
Hi JanetHi All,
Phil and I will be hospitaleros at the Municipal Albergue in Zamora from Dec 16-31. I had not thought about returning to Madrid on Jan 1 until this week and have realized that because it was a holiday that train and bus schedules might be impacted. When I went to book a train ticket, only one late possibility came up yesterday not putting us into Madrid until late evening. I have also checked the bus schedule and all the buses are later in the day as well. One option that did come up was BlaBlaCar. I looked it up and it says it is some kind of shared ride service or car pool. I'm wondering if any of you have experience with this service in Spain. Is it like Uber in the US or is it something different? How dependable would it be to book something like that.
Thanks,
Janet
We used blablacar once--it was great. Drivers are reviewed on their reliability, etc. (I think passengers are rated also, but not sure). From Lugo to Madrid (a few hours ride). Cost is less than taxi, etc., but more than a bus would be. And clearly faster than a bus! A very nice experience!Thanks all! I did put in Blablacar in the search and got nothing, but just now when I put in blabla only, I did find several threads. I think I'll sign us up and check it out. I don't care about the cost as much as I want to have a wonderful cultural experience while I am in Spain. Of course, I also want to be able to get back to Madrid on January 1 to catch my January 2 flight! I am just worried right now about the lateness of the planes and buses currently listed on the holiday.
Maybe we'll try it on the way to Zamora first and see how it goes. We speak some Spanish and I also speak German pretty well so we'll give it a go by putting that in our initial account posting. We're staying a night in Madrid to help with the jet lag so no one would have to pick us up right at the airport and we could be dropped back at our hotel which has a shuttle back to the airport anyway.
If any of you are on the Via de la Plata over the holidays, please drop in and see us in Zamora (even if you decide to stay at the Parador instead of with us.) We are told the pilgrims may be few during this time, but Phil and I are ready to make them feel welcome.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?