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I’m hoping that I can just find accommodation each night without booking ahead…is that a reasonable assumption?Regrettably, I am sure that some accommodations will not have survived so Gronze will let you know those that are available.
Agreed! A lot of the spreadsheets have not been updated in a few years (actually - haven't found ANY current ones). Gronze was pretty accurate last summer, moreso than the apps. And I think all of the apps have been working to get updated since then - so I expect them to be more accurate this summer when I return.Yes, I have seen it and other similar ones. But these days, the phone apps are much easier to maintain and update - especially with the uncertainties that Covid has brought. All of this information is updated daily on sites such as Gronze. And their databases don't produce summary reports such as this.
The list of villages and distances, and an indication of whether lodging/services are generally available is handy to have, and that information is more stable. You can create a nice list from godesalco.com .
There was a time that was so. Less so now. Booking St Jean through to Pamplona is recommended. Thereafter you'll have to go by feel, your knowledge of your daily mileages and the number of pilgrims you are coincident with.I’m hoping that I can just find accommodation each night without booking ahead…is that a reasonable assumption?
There are some that permanently closed. There are some that were planning to re-open this year. Gronze was pretty good with updating as I walked last summer. Also - the website is in Spanish - but you can use your web browser to translate. But be aware - the translation may also change the names of some albergues so you may need to switch back and forth from Spanish (of you don't read Spanish) to get the information you need but then to verify the name of the albergue.Brilliant, thanks everyone. I’ll check out Gronze.
Is there still some accommodation along the way closed due to covid or is everything up and running now?
Depends. Booking SJPDP to Pamplona is usually recommended during busy seasons. After that - you can probably wing it. Or - if you find that there IS a bed race - you can reserve the night before or same day if you are concerned you won't get a bed somewhere.I’m hoping that I can just find accommodation each night without booking ahead…is that a reasonable assumption?
Why is it less so now? Even in May?There was a time that was so. Less so now. Booking St Jean through to Pamplona is recommended. Thereafter you'll have to go by feel, your knowledge of your daily mileages and the number of pilgrims you are coincident with.
I think it likely that simple Albergue accommodations will be available on a walk-up basis simply because so many are seeking private rooms.
Did you manage ok without booking anything in advance…thats my only concern really. I’m assuming in May I should be ok as the busiest period won’t have started yetThere are some that permanently closed. There are some that were planning to re-open this year. Gronze was pretty good with updating as I walked last summer. Also - the website is in Spanish - but you can use your web browser to translate. But be aware - the translation may also change the names of some albergues so you may need to switch back and forth from Spanish (of you don't read Spanish) to get the information you need but then to verify the name of the albergue.
Because Covid has kicked the Parochial, volunteer run, Albergues in the particulars. Some are still closed, some may stay that way. Some of the private Albergues ran out of money to pay the mortgage while we all ducked for cover and will not open again. There are political (which we don't discuss on this forum) and practical drivers for that scenario. That said the picture is changing every day. As I said previously I think you will have a good chance of finding a bed in the sorts of places that aren't on booking.con, don't take telephone reservations and don't do private rooms. And I'm sure that you are able to make your own assessment of the actual situation on the ground when you are there. I'm not making a prediction I'm describing my own assessment.Why is it less so now? Even in May?
I’ll just be looking for a cheap bed in a dorm…so hoping to stay mainly in the municipal albergues. I don’t think you can book these in advance anyway can you…
I see you have a million questions and that is so normal for a first camino. You are getting some good advice so let me kind of break it down for you.Why is it less so now? Even in May?
I’ll just be looking for a cheap bed in a dorm…so hoping to stay mainly in the municipal albergues. I don’t think you can book these in advance anyway can you…
Aah, I wish I'd thought to say that. It is the best piece of advice I've seen on this forum.Don't worry
I’m hoping that I can just find accommodation each night without booking ahead…is that a reasonable assumption?
I see from another thread that you are planning to start in SJPP around May 1. Here is another thread discussing the numbers starting in SJPP, by week through the year. The first week of May is likely to be the second busiest week of the year (September has a busier week).Why is it less so now? Even in May?
Log into the forum and check under the resource tab. The link is on that page. Buen Camino!A friend of mine walked the Camino in about 2015. They said they found this spreadsheet (attached pic just shows one page of it) on this forum and it was invaluable. Is there an up to date version published somewhere? I’m starting the walk on about 1st May.
Yes, it is there - last updated in 2017.Log into the forum and check under the resource tab. The link is on that page. Buen Camino!
Thanks for the heads up…I naively thought early in the season would be quieter than mid summer. I arrive in Barcelona on 26th April so could get to SJPP to start on perhaps 30th April if that might help me miss the crowds?I see from another thread that you are planning to start in SJPP around May 1. Here is another thread discussing the numbers starting in SJPP, by week through the year. The first week of May is likely to be the second busiest week of the year (September has a busier week).
The highest arrivals in Santiago are usually in July and August due to the large number of Spaniards who walk the last 100 km during summer breaks.
The first few days out of SJPP can be quite a bottleneck in May and September, because of the surge of walkers from SJPP and the limits on beds (exacerbated by Covid). This eases somewhat after Pamplona.
I would encourage you to do whatever suits you - making reservations or not. But I would not consider is a reasonable assumption that you can walk into Roncesvalles or Zubiri and have much choice in accommodation in the first week of May.
Don't worry or concern yourself with the crowds. It is an uncontrollable and you never know from one year to the next or even one week or one day to the next what will be. Just walk and it will all unfold for you. One small thing you can do is not follow the "stages" that are almost all uniformly the same in most of the guidebooks. In that way you can at times avoid the loggam that is created when the camino is crowded and many people are sleeping in "stage" towns and villages.Thanks for the heads up…I naively thought early in the season would be quieter than mid summer. I arrive in Barcelona on 26th April so could get to SJPP to start on perhaps 30th April if that might help me miss the crowds?
And many other people have the same thought, along with not wanting to walk during the heat of summer months, hence the large amounts of pilgrims who start in May and September!Thanks for the heads up…I naively thought early in the season would be quieter than mid summer. I arrive in Barcelona on 26th April so could get to SJPP to start on perhaps 30th April if that might help me miss the crowds?
Sorry - missed this! Yes - for the most part I had no problem finding beds without booking in advance. When I heard certain towns had a bed race - I simply called or emailed them the night before or in the am for a bed (or went on booking.com). It really wasn't a problem I always had a bed. Only once did I have a problem - and even then it worked out!Did you manage ok without booking anything in advance…thats my only concern really. I’m assuming in May I should be ok as the busiest period won’t have started yet
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