Best day to start from SJPdP

angelab · Apr 26, 2017

I'm planning to walk Camino for 1st time starting in SJPdP early June. I'm travelling from London & was wondering if there is a 'best' day to arrive in SJPdP to begin next day. Any other advice on place to stay in SJPdP would be welcome. Many thanks

mspath · Apr 26, 2017

Angelab,
In the past I have found Tuesday to be a good day to arrive in SJPdP. Those who have traveled during the weekend to start on Monday will have left and town is slightly calmer.

Here is a handy accommodation list from the local tourist bureau
http://www.st-jean-pied-de-port.fr/tourisme/hebergement/

When you arrive in SJPdP do stop at the Pilgrim Office located on the camino at 39 rue de La Citadelle.

The office is open every day and in season from early in the morning until late at night ie after the arrival of the last bus/train. Helpful multi-lingual volunteers can provide you with a Credential if needed, as well as a list of major albergues and current weather/ trail conditions. They can also help locate a bed/bunk for the night. Most importantly the office is a great spot to meet/ greet other pilgrims. ...Do plan to stop and chat

Bon chemin and Buen camino!.

angelab · Apr 26, 2017

mspath said:
Angelab,
In the past I have found Tuesday to be a good day to arrive in SJPdP. Those who have traveled during the weekend to start on Monday will have left and town is slightly calmer.

Here is a handy accommodation list from the local tourist bureau
http://www.st-jean-pied-de-port.fr/tourisme/hebergement/

When you arrive in SJPdP do stop at the Pilgrim Office located on the camino at 39 rue de La Citadelle.

The office is open every day and in season from early in the morning until late at night ie after the arrival of the last bus/train. Helpful multi-lingual volunteers can provide you with a Credential if needed, as well as a list of major albergues and current weather/ trail conditions. They can also help locate a bed/bunk for the night. Most importantly the office is a great spot to meet/ greet other pilgrims. ...Do plan to stop and chat

Bon chemin and Buen camino!.

Thanks so much for your sharing.

jimmyd · Apr 26, 2017

hi angelab, starting from st jean on thursday 08june ,had hoped to start the wednesday but flying into bordeaux on the tuesday night and have to stay overnight there . have heard from friends who have done it in previous years that sundays are very busy ...similiar to advice from mspath ,,hope to see you along the route

buen camino

Mark Lee · Apr 26, 2017

and if you can, try avoiding arriving in Santiago on a weekend (Friday-Sunday) when it is the busiest.
If you are arriving in Santiago on a weekend, I recommend advance reservations for accommodations there.
ultreia

Jan_89 · Apr 26, 2017

Mark Lee said:
and if you can, try avoiding arriving in Santiago on a weekend (Friday-Sunday) when it is the busiest.
If you are arriving in Santiago on a weekend, I recommend advance reservations for accommodations there.
ultreia

Hello Mark!

Is that really so busy during the weekend? Because I will arrive to SJPdP on Saturday (next month) and no reservation.. When I walked 3 years ago, it was pretty good, I mean the people and it was Sunday..

I'm pretty scared when I read here on the forum about many people on the road..

Mark Lee · Apr 26, 2017

Jan_89 said:
Hello Mark!

Is that really so busy during the weekend? Because I will arrive to SJPdP on Saturday (next month) and no reservation.. When I walked 3 years ago, it was pretty good, I mean the people and it was Sunday..

I'm pretty scared when I read here on the forum about many people on the road..

It just seemed like a lot of people there, pilgrims and regular tourists alike, on the weekend the last time I was there. I'm sure it varies, of course.
I've arrived there as well without a reservation and always found a place to stay, but when I walked the Camino I never knew the exact day I would arrive in Santiago, only which day I was flying back to Madrid from there. So I suppose my advice was for those pilgrims planning a Camino who know exactly which days they will be staying there.
A couple of years ago on the Camino it was a Friday afternoon when I reached Monte de Gozo. There was a steady stream of many pilgrims walking on to Santiago. I stood there and watched that a bit, and wondered if I would find a bed in Santiago as I had no reservations. It was also gloomy and cloudy and about to rain. I made the decision to just stay at the albergue in Monte de Gozo (almost empty) and walk in to Santiago in the morning, which I did, and the weather was clear and cool that morning and by 9:00 am I found a place to stay there.

Jan_89 · Apr 26, 2017

Mark Lee said:
It just seemed like a lot of people there, pilgrims and regular tourists alike, on the weekend the last time I was there. I'm sure it varies, of course.
I've arrived there as well without a reservation and always found a place to stay, but when I walked the Camino I never knew the exact day I would arrive in Santiago, only which day I was flying back to Madrid from there. So I suppose my advice was for those pilgrims planning a Camino who know exactly which days they will be staying there.
A couple of years ago on the Camino it was a Friday afternoon when I reached Monte de Gozo. There was a steady stream of many pilgrims walking on to Santiago. I stood there and watched that a bit, and wondered if I would find a bed in Santiago as I had no reservations. It was also gloomy and cloudy and about to rain. I made the decision to just stay at the albergue in Monte de Gozo (almost empty) and walk in to Santiago in the morning, which I did, and the weather was clear and cool that morning and by 9:00 am I found a place to stay there.

Last time I made only one reservation during my Camino (not me, my Spanish friend ). I just want to walk and find some bed and don't want to worry about the reservations.. Hope it will be fine..

Mark Lee said:
I made the decision to just stay at the albergue in Monte de Gozo (almost empty) and walk in to Santiago in the morning, which I did, and the weather was clear and cool that morning and by 9:00 am I found a place to stay there.

Really like this idea! Thanks for the tip!

Annalisa · Apr 27, 2017

They have Market Day on Monday's that looks interesting.

owms2323 · Apr 29, 2017

angelab said:
I'm planning to walk Camino for 1st time starting in SJPdP early June. I'm travelling from London & was wondering if there is a 'best' day to arrive in SJPdP to begin next day. Any other advice on place to stay in SJPdP would be welcome. Many thanks

I highly recommend Beliari in SJPPP. I have stayed there on both caminos and consider it the very best way to start your camino. But, you do have to book ahead.

whariwharangi · Apr 29, 2017

angelab said:
I'm planning to walk Camino for 1st time starting in SJPdP early June. I'm travelling from London & was wondering if there is a 'best' day to arrive in SJPdP to begin next day. Any other advice on place to stay in SJPdP would be welcome. Many thanks

No, there is not a best day to arrive in SJPdP to begin next day.

The 'best' day is the one most convenient to you in terms of arrival and preparedness. When you are there and ready to go ... its time.

Thornley · May 1, 2017

angelab said:
I'm planning to walk Camino for 1st time starting in SJPdP early June. I'm travelling from London & was wondering if there is a 'best' day to arrive in SJPdP to begin next day. Any other advice on place to stay in SJPdP would be welcome. Many thanks

Mid week so you have the weekend in Pamplona enjoying the tapas bars and "The Family/ Weekend Lunch" culture.

Ian Afloat · May 1, 2017

My personal preference is to start early in the week...eg Tuesady. That way you get into a routine before your first Sunday...when all the shops will be closed!

sadaigh · May 2, 2017

owms2323 said:
I highly recommend Beliari in SJPPP. I have stayed there on both caminos and consider it the very best way to start your camino. But, you do have to book ahead.

I'm booked for my first night at Beilari. So excited!

Ian Afloat · May 2, 2017

sadaigh said:
I'm booked for my first night at Beilari. So excited!

What date are you starting?

angelab · May 6, 2017

mspath said:
Angelab,
In the past I have found Tuesday to be a good day to arrive in SJPdP. Those who have traveled during the weekend to start on Monday will have left and town is slightly calmer.

Here is a handy accommodation list from the local tourist bureau
http://www.st-jean-pied-de-port.fr/tourisme/hebergement/

When you arrive in SJPdP do stop at the Pilgrim Office located on the camino at 39 rue de La Citadelle.

The office is open every day and in season from early in the morning until late at night ie after the arrival of the last bus/train. Helpful multi-lingual volunteers can provide you with a Credential if needed, as well as a list of major albergues and current weather/ trail conditions. They can also help locate a bed/bunk for the night. Most importantly the office is a great spot to meet/ greet other pilgrims. ...Do plan to stop and chat

Bon chemin and Buen camino!.

Thanks so much for your helpful message

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