Bookings

C clearly said:

I gather from your other threads that you are planning to walk from SJPP in May. This will be one of the busiest months of the year. I'd suggest booking your first night in SJPP. I haven't walked at that time of year, but have followed the reports here on the forum quite closely.

Sometimes people find themselves in a crowd as they walk across the country and caught up in a bed race, so they find it better to book ahead. On the other hand, some people others find themselves in albergues with empty beds only a week after a crowd has passed through. More people start walking in the major centres on weekends, so that might account for some of the peaks and troughs in traffic.

If I were going in May, I would probably book in advance up to and including Pamplona, as it is not so hard to predict the first 3 walking days. Then I would play it by ear. I would have a smart phone with Spanish SIM card and some data and talk time, and I'd have a couple of booking apps/sites on my phone that I am familiar with. I would book something in Santiago at least a week before I get there. If I knew for sure when my last day would be (say, because of a flight out) I would even book that in advance of travelling.

If you arrive in a city that receives lots of visitors, on a weekend during high season, you can expect to spend more time and money before you find suitable accommodation. For example, Burgos and Leon.

Since you are also not sure of your walking itinerary, given your questions about walking long daily distances and jumping ahead to make up time, it is probable that reserving only a few days before would be appropriate.

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Dorpie said:

Hi Jodi,

Loving your enthusiam. Oh to be planning my first Camino again. A couple of questions; where are you from and what time do you anticipate starting out each day?

I ask the first question because if you're in the EU data is relatively cheap and you can afford to use your smartphone (assuming you have one) to make bookings as needed along the way. I ask the second because if you're an early bird who's happy to get moving before most you're far less to end up scrambling for a bed later in the day than someone who likes a leisurely start and only gets moving at 8 or later.

It might also be worth checking if there are any major festivals or events in places along the way at times you anticipate being there. It was thanks to this forum thatI became aware I was going to be entering Pamplona during the running of the bulls and was able to make alternative arrangements.

Rob.

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