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Camino Budget Planner

Robo

Veteran Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
What are we to do between Caminos? :oops:

My next one might be in 2019, but more likely 2020.
I need to seriously work on my weight and health first :(

So I look at routes I might walk next, read of others recent Caminos .............. and my latest diversion, budgeting!

My next Camino will be a lone one again, and likely the VdlP. The saving has started...........:)

I thought this initial attempt at a budget might be of interest and of course feel free to provide feedback. What have I missed?

I have always tended to stay in Hotels, but recognise the VdlP will require a fair number of Albergue nights. So I have factored that in. Of course I may get thrown out early on due to snoring :oops:


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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Are there no costs involved in visiting churches / museums? SIM card cost / data charges? Nice approach though I think I’ll do something similar
 
Are there no costs involved in visiting churches / museums? SIM card cost / data charges? Nice approach though I think I’ll do something similar

Churches and Museums? Good point, I go into churches everyday and leave something.
Phone data, I tend to wrap those up in Misc. I'll amend the planner based on feedback.

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Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
@Robo
We budget very differently, but I feel that you would have a hard time spending that much money on the VdlP, which I walked last fall. For example, accommodation: I don't think I ever spent as much as 15 euros on an albergue. The cost of a hotel room varies but there is relatively little choice in much of the VdlP. Unless you splurge whenever you find a parador, there are many villages where the choice is very modest. You could use booking.com or another booking app to see what is available, if you want to spend the time. As for mid-day meals, the distance between towns varies greatly and there is often nowhere to purchase a meal when you are walking. You might have to carry prepared lunches (and even make them yourself) to have food to eat in the middle of your day's walk. Of course, if you are determined to spend as much as possible, you can find a way. Other pilgrims who walked the VdlP may be able to help you with that. Happy planning.
 
You have possibly blown the myth that someone can do a Camino for less that 30 euros per day:eek::eek:
 
@Robo
We budget very differently, but I feel that you would have a hard time spending that much money on the VdlP, which I walked last fall. For example, accommodation: I don't think I ever spent as much as 15 euros on an albergue. The cost of a hotel room varies but there is relatively little choice in much of the VdlP. Unless you splurge whenever you find a parador, there are many villages where the choice is very modest. You could use booking.com or another booking app to see what is available, if you want to spend the time. As for mid-day meals, the distance between towns varies greatly and there is often nowhere to purchase a meal when you are walking. You might have to carry prepared lunches (and even make them yourself) to have food to eat in the middle of your day's walk. Of course, if you are determined to spend as much as possible, you can find a way. Other pilgrims who walked the VdlP may be able to help you with that. Happy planning.

Thanks for the feedback @Albertagirl . I haven't walked the VdlP yet so any advice is most welcome.
I'm only basing my budget on previous experience on the CF, where I spent more than this... :oops:
We all have different ideas on budgeting of course.
I tend to stay in private accommodation and for me the food and wine is all part of the journey so I do tend to eat and drink too much :eek:
I spend quite a bit on meds and physio too, as chronic injuries need help along the way.
I go through a lot of phone data too as I upload videos and photos along the way.
I realise it can probably be done on e30 a day though......

Updated......... And I found a formula error in dinners!


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You have possibly blown the myth that someone can do a Camino for less that 30 euros per day:eek::eek:

Do you really think so? I hope not.
If I 'had' to do it on e30 a day, or as close as possible to, maybe it would look like this..........
I got to e32/day
I'm not really sure of Albergue costs, never having used them.
But I reckon e30/day is certainly 'doable'.

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This is great Robo, thanks. The NZD isn’t too far off the Aussie so the numbers are close enough. I might be moving up my CF to May next year as my eldest would like to do it with me before she goes to university. This will help with my budget planning. I had planned on $4k per person.
 
This is great Robo, thanks. The NZD isn’t too far off the Aussie so the numbers are close enough. I might be moving up my CF to May next year as my eldest would like to do it with me before she goes to university. This will help with my budget planning. I had planned on $4k per person.
Remember with 2 of you staying in a double room the price will be very similar to a single person staying in a private room - so its proportionally cheaper. - you could probably allow E50 for 2 and be close enough.

The NZ $ is all over the place 92c to the Oz at the moment -just budget in Euros for the on-the-ground costs.
 
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This is great Robo, thanks. The NZD isn’t too far off the Aussie so the numbers are close enough. I might be moving up my CF to May next year as my eldest would like to do it with me before she goes to university. This will help with my budget planning. I had planned on $4k per person.

I refined the spreadsheet a bit more. Here it is for 2 people.
For private accommodation it stays the same nightly cost, and for Albergue accommodation it is multi[lied by the number of people.
Not strictly accurate as a private double room generally costs a bit more than a private single. Maybe 20% more.
All the other costs are multiplied by the number of people.
Remember this example is at the lower budget range @Keith H .
And it's also a 56 day Camino.....

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Remember with 2 of you staying in a double room the price will be very similar to a single person staying in a private room - so its proportionally cheaper. - you could probably allow E50 for 2 and be close enough.

The NZ $ is all over the place 92c to the Oz at the moment -just budget in Euros for the on-the-ground costs.
Thanks Lissie! Appreciate the input. I’ll do that.
 
I refined the spreadsheet a bit more. Here it is for 2 people.
For private accommodation it stays the same nightly cost, and for Albergue accommodation it is multi[lied by the number of people.
Not strictly accurate as a private double room generally costs a bit more than a private single. Maybe 20% more.
All the other costs are multiplied by the number of people.
Remember this example is at the lower budget range @Keith H .
And it's also a 56 day Camino.....

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Thanks Robo!
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
great work, Robo, thanks. My budget just tightened after coughing up $285 for my passport, so this is much appreciated. Geez, I reckon Australia has got the most expensive passports worldwide.
 
great work, Robo, thanks. My budget just tightened after coughing up $285 for my passport, so this is much appreciated. Geez, I reckon Australia has got the most expensive passports worldwide.
But one of the best passports!
 
Robo,
Each of us has to decide what our priorities or needs and purpose are when budgeting for the Camino....it is your Camino ...it is my camino.

We have a finite amount of money on our Camino. Our focus is, honestly, not on churches, architecture, culture, or cuisine. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Cathedral in Leon...the beauty of the windows is inspiring....and we have a favorite Restaurant in Leon and Santiago! But our focus is simple...walking in God’s beauty.. stepping the sacred soil. We love walking slowly up and down the small mountains and paths along the CF. We are fed by sitting outside sipping a coffee and breathing in the stunning views. A picnic sitting on a mountain rock when the sun warms the soul..priceless!

Now for budgeting ...When we budget...lodgings is our priority!

Priority lodgings
We choose based upon a combination of factors including, cleanliness, heat/air-con, reported functionality of the facility overall and the rooms, proprietors reported responses to problems, location, history of bed bug infestation, and, ability to come and go as, and when we please, (not necessarily in that order).

Generally, we leave before the hosts wants to serve breakfast...so we do not care whether breakfast is included or served at that the facility. We buy something lite to eat at a bar open early or prepare something lite before we leave in our room and then get a second breakfast abt two hours out. If nothing is open yet, we try and eat more in our room.

My sister and I really do not do bunk beds unless it is an emergency. We both require a bottom bunk for different reasons and we both do not do well without a good nights sleep (Know thyself)! Thus, for example, we are only doing one common room type experience on this trip - in Orisson....because there is no other option at that distance from Roncevalles. (I have stayed at a number of common beds in alms in Austrian alps that were a lot more rustic in my younger years).
In general, we opt for a private room ...some in albergues, hostels, pensions, and hotels.



In high season we budget 60 € per night for two persons in a private room. But having our own room saves in many other ways...

We wash clothes in our room and never have to worry about our clothes drying or paying 7 euros to wash and dry them.

We usually have heat most of the night and can control the heaters-which we also use for drying sometimes. Many rooms have hair dryers and we use them for a few minutes to help dry difficult items esp.in winter. We spend no money on washers or dryers and can keep up with laundry as we wish. We do not have to worry about carrying or purchasing shampoos, soaps, towels or sheets (In winter months we do have sleeping bags because inevitably some place(s) break(s) down). Most places have aircon as well...which is a real plus after a heat wave.

Eats
We often eat our main meal out...before we get to our accommodation...more and more ala carte or menu del dia. We do not really drink alcohol and honestly do not find most of the desserts on the pilgrim menu that satisfying so we concentrate on the main plate.

We almost never eat supper out, unless it is in an albergue-when the albergue prepares or guests are preparing a common meal which we are happy tp participate in...but this only happens a couple of times. For Supper, we make up for a lack of vitamins by eating fresh veggies and fruits, tomato’s, green and multicolored peppers, onions, garlic, processed olives, radishes, oranges, melons, lemons, bananas, yogurt, nuts and dessert. We buy enough fruits and tomatoes to use the next day for snacks. In the morning we peel the oranges, quarter them and tomatoes, and put them all in sealable bags and eat them as we walk. Great vitamins and water content and a lot cheaper than buying juice at 2euros per glass. We carry little packs of salt from fast food places in US and put on the tomatoes before eating. Thus we also replace salt content.
We also carry packs of boullion soup. About half the time we do not eat a main meal anymore! So we order say, a pumpkin soup which never seems to have much taste to us? We then add a package of boullion chicken soup and, voila, wonderful! Often, by the time we get to the room, if the accommodations are really comfortable ..we do not want to leave it!

Now some may be saying what about the camaraderie of walking with other pilgrims. We cherish the interactions we share with many pilgrims we encounter. However, because we are on the slow track, we only see the same people for maybe two or three days at most. So we value our experiences and have no expectation of longer rendezvous.

Here is what I am budgeting this year.
Day one
Average 4 euros pp breakfast (8)
Main meal every other day 15pp. (30)
Dinner, water, snacks for next day 15
Misc 5 euros per day
58 euros for all but lodgings, plus two lodgings 60= 118 € for two persons.

Day two

Here is what I am budgeting this year.
Day Two
Breakfast 6 euros pp (12)
lite lunch pp 7.5 pp (15)
Dinner, water, snacks for next day 15
Misc 5 euros per day
47 euros + 6Oroom = 107€
118 +107 / 2 = 112.5 euros per day or 56.25 pp.
 
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Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Robo,
Each of us has to decide what our priorities or needs and purpose are when budgeting for the Camino.

Indeed, we all have different budgets! As @Albertagirl pointed out!

My reason for sharing this was merely to get some views on potential costs on the VdlP, my next Camino.
And based on feedback, I added a couple of items, and.....
made a low budget version.......
I like playing with spreadsheets ;)

Maybe I'll make it more user friendly and share it?

My own budget I expect will be in the e50-60 / day level.
I like to eat nice food and have private accommodation mostly.
I went through e100 / day on my first Camino :oops:

But I think this next one I might like to try Albergues and experience that.

So this is NOT supposed to an exercise in saying that this is the budget people need.
That's a very personal thing, like packing lists.......

Just bit of fun to see if a generic budget planner could be made for individuals to add their own preferences.......
 
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Robo, I think posting your budget is a great idea and it gives new folks different ideas of costs for various casinos. The CF private lodgings appear to cost more than other options so I thought posting our budget my provided a contrast. :) Of course, staying strictly in albergues cuts down on expenses significantly. Nevertheless, consistently having to share a common room physically...having to crawl down from a top bunk in the middle of the night, pilgrims coughing, colds...germs incubating in a small room with air not well ventilated is not something we would do to save money. I admire those who have the immune systems who can;);)!
 
Maybe I'll make it more user friendly and share it?
Please do. I think it looks like a very helpful spreadsheet that lets each person adjust the assumptions and produce "high" and "low" estimates.

In terms of feedback on your assumptions - Your high end estimate seems about right. I might have a similar attitude to you. I splurge on hotels and nice meals, when the opportunity to do so presents itself. Looking at my diary of my walk last year, I see that I spent 76 nights in various accommodations and the breakdown was as follows
8 nights in donativo albergues
37 nights in other albergues
23 nights in modest private accommodation (<30 Euro)
7 nights in "luxury" hotels (>30 Euro)
1 night under the stars

Private accommodation meant Casas Rurales, apartments, or modest hotels, which often had pilgrim rates. The luxury hotels were in major cities (Almeria, Granada, Cordoba, Merida, Salamanca, Zamora, Santiago) where I stayed more than one night to do sightseeing. I could easily have eliminated them altogether. That would produce roughly a 65/35 split between albergues and private accommodations.
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
What are we to do between Caminos? :oops:

My next one might be in 2019, but more likely 2020.
I need to seriously work on my weight and health first :(

So I look at routes I might walk next, read of others recent Caminos .............. and my latest diversion, budgeting!

My next Camino will be a lone one again, and likely the VdlP. The saving has started...........:)

I thought this initial attempt at a budget might be of interest and of course feel free to provide feedback. What have I missed?

I have always tended to stay in Hotels, but recognise the VdlP will require a fair number of Albergue nights. So I have factored that in. Of course I may get thrown out early on due to snoring :oops:


View attachment 46537
Oh that seems like a lot for less than 2 months :-(
 
i did my 40 day cycling Camino on 60euro a week ,so that is less than 10 euro a day BUT I did not sleep in a hostel every night so I slept in my tent or under the stars ,it was more of a camping trip and not a survival one , I know its not for everyone ,each to her/his ownDSC00797a.jpgDSC00645a.jpg
 
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A selection of Camino Jewellery
Each version I make, the budget is getting lower, as I find out more about the VdlP ;)

View attachment 46890
I skipped on the pilgrims dinner and bought most of my food in the supermarket :) Vino Tinto was super cheap also in the supermarket.
 
i did my 40 day cycling Camino on 60euro a week ,so that is less than 10 euro a day BUT I did not sleep in a hostel every night so I slept in my tent or under the stars ,it was more of a camping trip and not a survival one , I know its not for everyone ,each to her/his ownView attachment 46939View attachment 46940
What's it like biking the route, Anthony? I'm trying to decide whether I walk it or bike it. I guess with biking it, one has to stay on the roads and is rarely on the walking path? Also, does one bring their own bike or better to rent one there? What about the panniers; did you bring your own or rent them there?
 
What's it like biking the route, Anthony? I'm trying to decide whether I walk it or bike it. I guess with biking it, one has to stay on the roads and is rarely on the walking path? Also, does one bring their own bike or better to rent one there? What about the panniers; did you bring your own or rent them there?
I took my own bike and panniers both times and used OUIBUS and ALSA buses to transport my bike because airlines cost way too much etc buses cost me less than 100 euro to get from Santiago to Nottingham ,the only down side is transport and using your own bike is ,transporting you have to dismantle your bike and put it in a bag or wrap it up (you can get a bag from ALSA buses for 15 euro and they charge you 10 euro to transport your bike ) and repairs or replacement parts you have to do yourself or get to a cycle shop , the up side is its your bike plus gear and you know it almost inside out and you been riding it 3 months before you leave ,train on signal paths ,farm untarred roads and cycle tracks and you done the basic maintenance ,repairs and packed your own panniers (like walkers only pack what you need because extra weight is strain on you and your bike ), where hiring a bike will cost you , for the peace of mind but I don't know about repairs or returns ,I did ride on the paths as much as I could ,there will be signs say suitable for bikes and there is a cyclist map for Camino francs, I used a MTB (hardtail ) on both of my Caminos I have a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/256100694847356/)that might help ,I am still busy writing about my last Camino from Paris to Porto and back to Irun via Camino francs
 

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The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
My wife and I are on a very limited budget of 30€ a day ( that is for both of us). And have been eating and drinking pretty well from the supermarkets. We have been walking for 29 days now.
Hi David. I'm planning my Camino in Sept 2019. I'm keen to know how much you're paying for the Albergues each night. I'm going to be doing this on a shoestring budget.

Buen Camino !

Liz
 
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I took my own bike and panniers both times and used OUIBUS and ALSA buses to transport my bike because airlines cost way too much etc buses cost me less than 100 euro to get from Santiago to Nottingham ,the only down side is transport and using your own bike is ,transporting you have to dismantle your bike and put it in a bag or wrap it up (you can get a bag from ALSA buses for 15 euro and they charge you 10 euro to transport your bike ) and repairs or replacement parts you have to do yourself or get to a cycle shop , the up side is its your bike plus gear and you know it almost inside out and you been riding it 3 months before you leave ,train on signal paths ,farm untarred roads and cycle tracks and you done the basic maintenance ,repairs and packed your own panniers (like walkers only pack what you need because extra weight is strain on you and your bike ), where hiring a bike will cost you , for the peace of mind but I don't know about repairs or returns ,I did ride on the paths as much as I could ,there will be signs say suitable for bikes and there is a cyclist map for Camino francs, I used a MTB (hardtail ) on both of my Caminos I have a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/256100694847356/)that might help ,I am still busy writing about my last Camino from Paris to Porto and back to Irun via Camino francs
Thanks and very interesting. That's great you can get on the path at times and that it's okay to do so! I'd probably rent a bike over there. There must be places and especially because I'd be coming from the states :). I'm about to check out your Facebook page....
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
@Robo - Greeting from Campobecerros - 183km to SdC on VdLP. We slept in 2 alburgues in C Frances. Now, we slept in 2 Parador (one night each) n the rest in alburgues. Fortunately, we often have a room to ourselves and other pilgrims in the other rooms— they are just not that many pilgrims. At the end of the long days, I am just happy to have sheltered and grateful for it. This route has made be more appreciative of the blessing I have. The Alburgue costs from 3-6 euro for non private. We stayed in 2 private Alburgue cost 9, 15 euro. Many are in “donativo”- which we calculated what are the fair price and give a little more as a donation. What we had was based on what others gave. What we give will be used to serve others.

It is almost 9pm. I am starving. 2 bars in town; one is bar only and the other serving meal - supposively. As there is Football games, the bar decided to serve meal later - don’t know when. The Alburgue doesn’t have kitchen unfortunately. So this route is not a culinary route as C Frances. Lunch mostly bocadillos IF we find a bar to stop- else packed nibbles. When there is “menu el dia” - it comes with half bottle of wine (not glass!).

We often buy bottled water in bar as supermercado is closed. So you need more than 2euro (but you have access somewhere else).

Having said all of those, I am happy we are hour Ing this route. By the time we finish, we will walk about 600km as we took buses in the beginning. We have 25 days only. I wish, genuinely, we walk the entire 1000km. It is beautiful and humbling beside the challenges.

Happy planning
 
Thanks and very interesting. That's great you can get on the path at times and that it's okay to do so! I'd probably rent a bike over there. There must be places and especially because I'd be coming from the states :). I'm about to check out your Facebook page....
I would say the paths from Pamplona are good ,if you find it hard going the road is not too far away ,the pilgrims path always crosses over the road at some point where you can rejoin it again , if you have any more questions I will be happy to answer them ,I just googled quick and found this website https://www.cycling-rentals.com/ 300+euro for 14 days hire ,that's a price of a high street bike here
 
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I believe it!
Yes. I often wonder at those breakfast figures of €4. My average breakfast at bar cost is €2.30. And that’s a tortilla with cafe con leche. I buy fruit from the tienda for really cheap. Once a week in a hotel (for sanity’s sake) @ €40-45. Only 2 pilgrim meals so far (one very overrated, but that’s another story), @ €12 a pop. €30/day average easily doable.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Hi David. I'm planning my Camino in Sept 2019. I'm keen to know how much you're paying for the Albergues each night. I'm going to be doing this on a shoestring budget.

Buen Camino !

Liz
Hi Liz, we just got back from VdLP. We paid 4-6 euro for public Alburgue and 8-15 euro for private Alburgue. Download Wise Pilgrim apps. It shows the price of the Alburgue. Sometime when we arrive, the Alburgue was actually donativo. We used the apps as the indicator on how much is the fair cost. Ultreia!
 

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