budget travel?

[qkdbswltn]

Hi, I'm planning to walk from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela along the coastline from July 11to August 8 and I had a few questions...

1. I'm planning to use 10 euros a day (5 for lodging, and 5 for food-can you really buy simple baguettes etc. for less than one euro?) on average. If I bivouac as much as possible (if possible, every other day) this is possible in the summer right?

2. Do Albergues really allow pilgrims (who are not lodging) to use the shower facilities and restrooms for 1~2 euros? There's a guy in Korea who says he traveled that way.

3. are the tap water safe to drink? I'm taking a LOT of green tea bags...

4. I heard that the pilgrim passports you can get at key villages cost 1 euro. I don't really care about being certified. Would I still need the passport?

5. I'm a 19-year-old, small Asian female (even for an Asian) I'm in pretty good shape though, and I'd trekked to Lhotse the year before. I'm planning to walk about 25 km~30km a day. Is this feasible? Especially if I want to avoid walking in the hottest parts of the day?

6. I promised to carry a cellphone so I can contact my parents in an emergency. Does anyone know an inexpensive way to get a phone that can dial internationally? (In my case, to Korea)

Thanks! Hmm...I have way too many questions..

 

[Deleted member 3000]

1. I'm planning to use 10 euros a day (5 for lodging, and 5 for food-can you really buy simple baguettes etc. for less than one euro?) on average. If I bivouac as much as possible (if possible, every other day) this is possible in the summer right?

That is a tight budget, but many have spent that amount. "Wild camping" is not lawful, but there does not seem to be any enforcement unless you make yourself obvious.

2. Do Albergues really allow pilgrims (who are not lodging) to use the shower facilities and restrooms for 1~2 euros? There's a guy in Korea who says he traveled that way.

Yes. They are free only rarely because the cost of energy is quite high in Spain.

3. are the tap water safe to drink? I'm taking a LOT of green tea bags...

Some of the best water in the world is in Spain. Avoid the taps that are marked non-potable, and the ones that are obviously for animal use.

4. I heard that the pilgrim passports you can get at key villages cost 1 euro. I don't really care about being certified. Would I still need the passport?

You need the credential to stay at municipal and parochial albergues (and some private albergues). You need a credential with stamps (sellos) to get a Compostela in Santiago, and you need photocopies of your Compostela for the free meals at the Parador.

5. I'm a 19-year-old, small Asian female (even for an Asian) I'm in pretty good shape though, and I'd trekked to Lhotse the year before. I'm planning to walk about 25 km~30km a day. Is this feasible? Especially if I want to avoid walking in the hottest parts of the day?

Older, less fit pilgrims have walked that schedule, so you can. Take a siesta midday like the Spanish, and you will avoid the heat. The coastal route is not as hot as other routes, but it will be humid.

6. I promised to carry a cellphone so I can contact my parents in an emergency. Does anyone know an inexpensive way to get a phone that can dial internationally? (In my case, to Korea)

If you have an unlocked 3-band GSM phone, you can buy a SIM chip from Vodafone and others. International calling can be expensive, so you may want to check prices for phone cards. With the phone card, you dial a local Spanish number, and then use the card balance to dial Korea.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Hello!

I can not answer all your questions, but will answer the ones I can.

1. I'm planning to use 10 euros a day (5 for lodging, and 5 for food-can you really buy simple baguettes etc. for less than one euro?) on average. If I bivouac as much as possible (if possible, every other day) this is possible in the summer right?

In my opinion, this is cutting it too close. But as Falcon says, it is possible. You would definitely be more comfortable and safe if you doubled your budget.

2. Do Albergues really allow pilgrims (who are not lodging) to use the shower facilities and restrooms for 1~2 euros? There's a guy in Korea who says he traveled that way.I saw this done a couple of times on the Camino Frances. I'm not so sure about the Northern Route, but I think you might be able to do it in MANY of the places I stayed (not all)

3. are the tap water safe to drink? I'm taking a LOT of green tea bags...The water in Spain is perfectly safe to drink and probably much cleaner than the water we have in the USA! Avoid fountains that are labeled "NON-potable" but otherwise, feel safe.

4. I heard that the pilgrim passports you can get at key villages cost 1 euro. I don't really care about being certified. Would I still need the passport?I would buy one. You will need a passport in order to stay in the alburgues AND to shower you will need to prove you are a pilgrim, not just a homeless person. Even if you do not sleep in them, you should stop and get your passport stamped to prove you've been there in case you need to spend a night in the next town. Plus, it is a wonderful momento!

5. I'm a 19-year-old, small Asian female (even for an Asian) I'm in pretty good shape though, and I'd trekked to Lhotse the year before. I'm planning to walk about 25 km~30km a day. Is this feasible? Especially if I want to avoid walking in the hottest parts of the day?You should have no problems at all.

6. I promised to carry a cellphone so I can contact my parents in an emergency. Does anyone know an inexpensive way to get a phone that can dial internationally? (In my case, to Korea)Somebody else will have to answer. I did not carry a phone.

Thanks! Hmm...I have way too many questions..

No, you ask GOOD questions Bon Camino!

 

[ria]

Hi,

I walked from Bilbao to Santiago last year, started on July 9 and arrived on August 3. But I took the primitivo (following the norte till just before Gijon and then going down on the primitivo that passes oviedo and lugo, which is an absolutely beautiful way...). Although I am a big dutch woman instead of small asian, but 45 years old, I think your timing is right . I did not walk in really high temperatures in the north.

Budget seems also to me a bit tight. I will do half of the via de la plata this year and plan to do that on 20 euro's a day. Baguettes and food in general is quite cheap on the way, but every now & then you need a proper meal and some vitamin containing food like fruits if you're walking that much, i think.

Why are you starting in Bilbao? I did that too, because i booked a flight to Bilbao, but later I really regretted that I didn't walk from Irun, because everybody told me that the first bit of the norte is sooo beautiful. I still think i have to go back one day to do that week.

And yes, you do need the credencial to get into most of the albergues... And I agree that it is really nice to have (better than a compostela actually).

More questions ?

Good luck,
ria

 

[qkdbswltn]

Ria, Anniesantiago, and falcon thanks so much for all your advice.

and Ria, I was sorry to miss the Irun-Bilbao myself but I need to finish the trip in thirty days or less...so... I guess I'll have to leave them for next time ㅠㅠ good luck on the de la plata! Maybe we'll meet in Santiago.

P.S. can you get a Certificatora in Bilbao?

 

[sillydoll]

You can get a Pilgrim's Credential at the Friends of the Camino office in Bilbao: Asociación De Amigos Del Camino De Santiago De Bilbao - Nicolás Alcorta, 7 - Pza. de Zabalburu or at most albergues.
Look at this website to estimate the average charge on the Norte. You will be able to make a list of donativo albergues where you can leave a donation, no matter how small.
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los ... del-norte/

 

[qkdbswltn]

thank you for the address! I'll plan my route according to the site