Arriving in Pamplona at 9 pm by bus, too late for albergue?

[paprika]

I'll first arrive in Madrid airport at 2:00 pm and take bus to Pamplona (it takes around 4-5 hrs as I checked the timetables).

I read that most albergues are closed at around 10 pm.
If I arrive in Pamplona around 9 pm, is it going to be too late to stay in albergue? or too crowded that I won't be able to sleep there? (I'll be there on July 1st)

Also, I haven't checked yet if I could get to albergue before 10 pm from the bus terminal.

Do you think I should book a hostel just in case?

I have so many questions since it's my first time taking the journey all the way from Korea!
But in the back of my mind, I just don't really want to focus on 'bus' or 'trains' and secretly hope that I'll just let things happen.

However!
Please let me know what you think!

Oh!
Plus,
Considering that I'll be staying at a hostel that night, how would I get my credential?
Could I get it very early in the morning the next day in other albergues?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The large albergue, Jesus y Maria, may not admit you since you have not arrived on foot. It depends on the hospitalero that night! Casa Paderborn will let you in, if they have space at that hour. For much of the summer, Paderborn has a line forming outside from early afternoon, and is instantly full (and closes at 2200).

Your best bet would be a hostal.

 

[scruffy1]

Greeting from Jerusalem and Shalom Paprika

Beware! You did not mention which day of the week you will be arriving. There are many hostals in Pamplona, most are affordable and clean. Many are owned by the bar/restaurant downstairs and will be very noisy come weekends. Weekends start early in Pamplona, the parties often begin Thursday evening and continue until dawn-noisy, boisterous, and may be very irritating for a tired pilgrim. And of course there is the San Fermín festival, from July 6 to 14, you may find yourself sleeping with the bulls since the town will be packed with visitors, tourists, and with an international collection of crazies out to run with the bovines. Buen Camino

 

[vagabondette]

I would book a hostel for a few reasons:

1 - you know you'll get a bed
2 - if you get in late you won't be waking the tired people who actually walked all day
3 - since you didn't walk the day before i think many wouldn't take you

Re the stamp, from what I've read your hostel will likely have one or you can get one at a bar/restaurant/church before setting out.

good luck!

 

[annelise]

Hi Paprika,

You may wish to look up this thread giving information on Pamplona hostels.

el-camino-frances/topic11084.html?hilit=otano#p70475

I wish you a buen camino.

 

[paprika]

Thank you all for your great advice!!!! It really helped me a lot !
I decided to stay at a hostel that night and will be starting my camino the next morning.
I'm very excited and nervous now, but I'm sure it's going to be a great journey for me.
Good luck, everyone !!