Booking ahead and misc. questions for a first timer

[Rilex77]

Hello all! I will start my very first camino on tomorrow and I am so excited and very nervous. I am doing the last 100k or so to Santiago from Sarria. I've booked a place in Sarria for tomorrow night because my train from Madrid will arrive in the evening. I was wondering if I should book ahead for the rest of my trip. The reading I've done so far suggests that it is not quite the busy season yet but it is picking up. I'm just a nervous I will struggle with finding a place.

Also, does anyone know of a good place to get the camino credential in Sarria?

Any last minute advice to keep from making rookie mistakes?

 

[mspath]

Lucky you to be starting off soon!
The xunta albergue in Sarria which is open all year issues Credentials.
See more including opening times here -#
https://www.gronze.com/galicia/lugo/sarria/albergue-peregrinos-sarria

You need not stay there to obtain the document.

Good luck and Buen camino!

 

[november_moon]

I don't think you'll have too much trouble finding lodging. Just be flexible - if the first place you try is full, go to the next one, and maybe walk to the next town if you are striking out - often the people running the alberques will call ahead for you to see of another place has space if you choose to walk on. Also, in addition to alberques, there are casa rurales and hotels available - more money than a bed in an alberque, but if you have the budget, they are a good option.

A lot of people follow the stages in guidebooks - Bierley is a popular one - so lodging in the towns at the end of each published stage tend to fill up. One method to avoid that is just to stop in other towns other than the ones at the ends of those stages.

Also, if you are finding places are filling up, then perhaps stop a little earlier in the day - walk until 2 instead of 3 or 4, for example.

 

[J&LM]

Hello all! I will start my very first camino on tomorrow and I am so excited and very nervous. I am doing the last 100k or so to Santiago from Sarria. I've booked a place in Sarria for tomorrow night because my train from Madrid will arrive in the evening. I was wondering if I should book ahead for the rest of my trip. The reading I've done so far suggests that it is not quite the busy season yet but it is picking up. I'm just a nervous I will struggle with finding a place.

Also, does anyone know of a good place to get the camino credential in Sarria?

Any last minute advice to keep from making rookie mistakes?

Having done the same walk last June, we were glad to have made reservations for the end of each stage. Not so much because of crowds, but just to not have to search for accommodations at the conclusion of every long and hot day! It made things easy.

I can't answer where to acquire a credencial (pilgrim passport) in Sarria, as we had ours before leaving home. If you mean a sello (stamp that goes in the credencial), your lodging in Sarria should be able to provide that.

Have a wonderful experience!

 

[CdnDreamer]

The big change I notice after reaching Sarria is no one takes their backpack off when they go into restaurants and bars. You really need to take it off, as there just isn't room to turn around without hitting someone. Those of us who have been walking for weeks just leave the backpack outside - knowing that if it gets taken we don't have to carry it any longer!
There are so many people starting out from Sarria, so don't worry about making rookie mistakes. Just try to take it slow, and look after your feet. Buen camino!

 

[november_moon]

Those of us who have been walking for weeks just leave the backpack outside - knowing that if it gets taken we don't have to carry it any longer!

Yes - there were definitely days when I thought it might be nice if someone stole my pack...

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

See the recent thread entitled. "Busy May on the Meseta". It mentions that the CF is currently busy with tour groups taking up many accommodations. There's lots out there. Just be persistent.

Buen Camino!

 

[Rilex77]

Thank you all!