Budgeting for Camino Portuguese September 2022

[Maebekg]

My friend and I are walking the Portuguese Camino in September. We have not walked a Camino since 2012 and need a little guidance on changes to albergue costs, and food costs, (using basics where we can).

Also, does anyone know if it’s more cost effective to book our train ticket ( Santiago to Madrid) from home before we leave or wait until just before we leave Santiago. Thank you.

 

[trose]

I am also leaving mid September to walk the Portugues from Lisbon. I walked the Primitivo last year and used the guide book show as it have a accommodation and pricing which I found to be accurate. As far as food costs depending on where you are coming from the Euro has lost some value so for instance the USD is almost even. Always was to eat cheap.

 

[lt56ny]

You can use the guidebook but you can save money and weight by downloading Wise Pilgrim, Buen Camino and/or Camino Ninja apps. They are all free with GPS that you can download also. The pricing is usually really accurate although with worldwide inflation things probably have gone up. There is also Gronze.com which gives you maps, distances and albergues with the most extensive pilgrim reviews for three different routes on the CP.

 

[Maebekg]

Thank you both for your suggestions. Enjoy your Camino Trose.

 

[henrythedog]

My friend and I are walking the Portuguese Camino in September. We have not walked a Camino since 2012 and need a little guidance on changes to albergue costs, and food costs, (using basics where we can).

Also, does anyone know if it’s more cost effective to book our train ticket ( Santiago to Madrid) from home before we leave or wait until just before we leave Santiago. Thank you.

I have invariably found it (much) cheaper to book Spanish trains as far in advance as possible. Often at half the walk-up price.

 

[trecile]

Also, does anyone know if it’s more cost effective to book our train ticket ( Santiago to Madrid) from home before we leave or wait until just before we leave Santiago. Thank you.

It's usually much less expensive to book the train in advance. If tickets are not yet available I set up an alert on raileurope.com to be notified when they go on sale.

 

[Grousedoctor]

@henrythedog and @trecile are correct about the rough price difference of booking a train at the last minute versus buying when you date becomes available. For example, on renfe.com, you’ll see a ticket from SdC to Madrid this Friday would cost you €56-103 with some trains already full. However, picking a date two-three months out from now, I could purchase a ticket for as low as €21 with a number of other choices between €40-65. Of course prices vary by day and time. But, as Henry said, you can save sometimes 50% or more by buying in advance. If you know the date you need to be in Madrid, buying when that date becomes available is the cost savings way to go. Right now, you can check prices and/or purchase tickets through about mid-November.