Are reservations necessary

[C2G]

Hi,
I am just finishing the Le Puy route and on the final stretches. For the first time today we could not get lodging and had to get acride back to a large town and stay in a hotel. As we head to Spain I am a little worried now. Has anyone else been unable to find lodging a NB d should I map out the whole trip and reserve. This takes away from the idea of not being programmed but if it is necessary, then I will. Please give me your thoughts if you are on the Camino Frances now or will be this year. Thanks so much.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There are always beds, particularly if you stop by 3 p.m. or so. If you are nervous, you can reserve some private albergues and hotels/hostales. It won't be necessary to reserve more than one night ahead, so you can preserve a lot of flexibility even when you are making reservations. It is not like France where the host often needs to know in advance to prepare for meals.

 

[clearskiescamino]

Walking in April, you most likely won't come across a full albergue. But as falcon mentioned, you can reserve in private albergues.

 

[obinjatoo@yahoo.com]

Reserving in advance sounds positively...... I don't know, arduous, time consuming, a real pain in the patutti. I think the difference between pilgrims and tourists is attitude. I met "tourists" in Spain on my walk that were truly bitter about NOT finding beds and had decided to return home (Americans I think). I was sitting on the curb of a small village on the Meseta drinking Kas Naranja, eating bread and cheese.
They were positively exasperated. Our conversation went like this:
Them: "We're leaving, getting a taxi the hell out of here! Can never find a bed!"
Me: "It's a pilgrimage, the road provides".
Them: "We're NOT pilgrims!"
Me: "Why are you here?"
Them: "Cheap vacation."
Me: "Ohhhh, good luck.
I never had a problem finding a bed. I walked sans device of any kind. Had a great time and the Camino provided everything I needed.

 

[billmclaughlin]

There's certainly not need to shift gears and "map out the whole trip". Make a few reservations so you feel secure about the next two or three days ahead. Then talk to other hikers and your hosts as you go.

Committing to dozens of reservations without knowing what your body and the weather have to say is just a highway to disappointment.

 

[november_moon]

We aren't planning to make reservations in advance - perhaps 1 or 2 days in advance if we find things are filling up - but I hope not to have to do even that. I am hoping that flexibility will see us through - if the alberques are full at some place, perhaps a casa rural or a small hotel will have space, or maybe something in the next town....

 

[Deleted member 3000]

if the alberques are full at some place, perhaps a casa rural or a small hotel will have space, or maybe something in the next town....

That works well. By the time you know that, by the way, it is too late to make reservations (though with booking.com you can see what is available at your location so that you don't have to walk all around town looking for a hotel).

 

[november_moon]

What I meant was that if we find it becoming difficult to fund spaces, we will start making reservations. Obviously if we get into a town and find things full that day, reservations aren't going to help that day - lol.

 

[Felipe]

Last October I made reservations by phone, early in the morning. Never had a problem.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Obviously if we get into a town and find things full that day, reservations aren't going to help that day

But booking.com will!!

 

[MTtoCamino]

But booking.com will!!

Or the local bar! In more ways than 1!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hi,
I am just finishing the Le Puy route and on the final stretches. For the first time today we could not get lodging and had to get acride back to a large town and stay in a hotel. As we head to Spain I am a little worried now. Has anyone else been unable to find lodging a NB d should I map out the whole trip and reserve. This takes away from the idea of not being programmed but if it is necessary, then I will. Please give me your thoughts if you are on the Camino Frances now or will be this year. Thanks so much.

Last year I walked in April / May and I had no problem to find a place to sleep.
Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[nathanael]

Reserving in advance sounds positively...... I don't know, arduous, time consuming, a real pain in the patutti. I think the difference between pilgrims and tourists is attitude. I met "tourists" in Spain on my walk that were truly bitter about NOT finding beds and had decided to return home (Americans I think). I was sitting on the curb of a small village on the Meseta drinking Kas Naranja, eating bread and cheese.
They were positively exasperated. Our conversation went like this:
Them: "We're leaving, getting a taxi the hell out of here! Can never find a bed!"
Me: "It's a pilgrimage, the road provides".
Them: "We're NOT pilgrims!"
Me: "Why are you here?"
Them: "Cheap vacation."
Me: "Ohhhh, good luck.
I never had a problem finding a bed. I walked sans device of any kind. Had a great time and the Camino provided everything I needed.

Nevertheless I can see their point two years ago my two American friends and I had a difficult time in getting accommodations. Pontemarine was the worse the huge alberge at 12 noon was completing full due to reservations , that is due to most Spaniards traveling in the month of July. I would never do the Camino in July again we were lucky we could afford other accommodations.