Booking accomodation or do you just walk in

[trueheart]

Hi Im new to this, its my first time on the Camino, and I'm a beginner at using forums (I am getting used to it though). I was wondering if you could walk into the hostels/albergues along the camino or do I need to book in advance. I assume I have to book at St jean Pied de Port as Ive read some information about it in this forum, is that correct?, and I was wondering whether the same applied to along the way. Also i was thinking every few days or so I might stay in a hotel and was wondering do these need to be booked in advance also? I'm a bit worried Ill turn up in a village/town at the end of a lot of walking and not be able to find somewhere to stay; Im also a bit of a slow walker.

Cheers Therese

 

[amtrakker]

Hi Therese

Municipal refugios don't take reservations, but as a walker, you have priority over cyclists. Private hotels , casa rurals can be booked ahead. Had no trouble finding places the past month, although heard this will change in May (many Germans), up to July / August (many Spanish). Refugios open around 1 /2 p.m. so plan your day to arrive around these times and you should have no difficulty finding something.
Buen camino

 

[trueheart]

Hi

Im not sure when i will arive to a town, as Im not sure how long it will take me to get to each place, being inexperienced with this sort of walk. Do you think I will get the swing of it and then be able to book a day or so in advance, or do you think I will have to book even further in advance than this.

Cheers Therese

 

[sulu]

You'll get the hang of it, you'll soon work out how far you can go before 2, even allowing for different terrains Personally I reckon that the best way of meeting people is by being in Albergues, you may not always like the people but that's the Camino. Others may have a different view, partucularly those who have walked in the height of the summer.
Buen Camino
Sue

 

[pagespan]

I walked the first 8 stages of the Camino Frances in July and thought reservations were not needed. No one was denied a bed. I made them in Zubiri at a private hostel and regretted it because the municipal was nicer. The albergue at Roncesvalles takes reservations if you wire them the money, but when I got there on the bus, there were plenty of beds. It may get more crowded in Galicia though.

 

[BoldenMD]

I did more booking toward the latter half of my Camino in September, especially if I wanted a private room. I tended to do that in places where I really wanted to stay in certain hotels (such as the Paradores in León, Villafranca del Bierzo and Santiago de Compostela) or if I had a really long day of 30 to 40 kilometers planned and knew I would want my own space.