Booking Albergues Semana Santa

[nub_nugget]

Hello,

I'm a first time pilgrim and I'll be walking the camino from Astorga to Santiago April 19-May 5. I plan to arrive in Leon on the 18th, get my credentials and spend the night, then bus to Astorga the next day to officially begin. Am I able to stay in a albergue on the 18th when I arrive in Leon? And how about the 19th when I arrive in Astorga (since I won't have actually started walking).

Also, I'm looking at Booking.com and it seems like everything is already being booked up (most likely because it's Semana Santa). Should I be concerned about this and book all my albergues in advance? I thought that you were supposed to be able to arrive the day of (plus, I'd be worried booking everything in advance because I'm not sure what my pace will be). I'm quite confused and don't want to end up on the streets.

 

[Ecuador12]

Leon Albergues are extremely busy. I stayed at Santo Tomas de Canterbury last year and was very happy. It is 2.6km from Leon's main center, but buses are 1 euro. The towns after Leon tend to be busier as well, so you may not get your first choice, but there is always something available. I will be 3-4 days behind you in arriving in Leon and will make a reservation for that night only.

 

[Tincatinker]

Private Albergues, that take advance bookings don’t, on the whole, give a monkeys how you’ve got there so long as you turn up for your booking. Public and parochial Albergues don’t take bookings.
You are welcome to spend your first night of pilgrimage in an Albergue even before you have commenced walking but the hospitalero/a of a municipal or parochial Albergue in Astorga may be perturbed that you have not walked. Again, private Albergues are unlikely to be perturbed.
Happy planning