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I agree with devon and actually do the same thing..no phone and no booking makes the Camino a wonderful experience in this manner.I have walked the Camino Frances three times in 2014, 2015 and 2016 starting in May each time and there were around 300 per day leaving SJPP. I don't take a phone, never do bookings just walked each day until I had enough and always found a bed.
I try to avoid staying in the busy places and mostly go for municipal and parrochial albergues in the quieter places between the busier towns and cities. These albergues don't take bookings, it's just first come first served. Last year at one stop in a private albergue I was the only one staying there, had the whole place to myself in June!!!
But how about booking in SJPP ? Because it is the first day for camino, I am wondering if have to book an albergue or a hotel in SJPP.
Please give me an idea where to stay best for the start following morning
This is not my experience. My wife and I left SJPP on 2 May, and had difficulty finding beds from the outset. We ended up booking a day ahead in most places, and a few days ahead after Sarria.No need for pre-booking.
But no bed makes it less pleasant...no booking makes the Camino a wonderful experience
Different experiences, I suppose. In six different years, on different Caminos (4 x CF, 2x VdlP, Camino San Olav) April, May, June, late August, Sept.) I have never been without a bed at the end of the day. That said, I start at around 07.00 +- and stop 13.00-14-30. Those who stroll in at 16.00-18.00 may have problems. I have witnessed this happening more than once...This is not my experience. My wife and I left SJPP on 2 May, and had difficulty finding beds from the outset. We ended up booking a day ahead in most places, and a few days ahead after Sarria.
I start May 1 from SJPDP. I'll see you on the road! The only advance booking I'm doing is arrival night. After that I'll take it as it comes. GregI'm planning to walk the Camino Frances solo in May 2017 and wanted to know if i need to book a bed ahead of time. I would like to keep the planning to the bare minimum and if need be I can stay in private accommodations however, I would rather keep my cost down and stay in alburgues. I am planning on taking my iPhone and getting a sim card when I get to Spain so if necessary i can book the day before or the morning of. I was looking at the statistics and I have read that there is a race for a bed in the summer months but, it looks like May is starting to be that busy as well. Please advise. Thank you.
This is not my experience. My wife and I left SJPP on 2 May, and had difficulty finding beds from the outset. We ended up booking a day ahead in most places, and a few days ahead after Sarria.
Thanks for the question and the answer! I'm walking in May 2017 as well (May 23rd from SJPP) and that was my hope. I made a reservation in Orrison, but that's it. I like the idea of taking my time and staying in the in-between places as well. I will ask about a "forecast" at SJPP pilgrim office before I leave as Tom suggests. Thanks all !I have walked the Camino Frances three times in 2014, 2015 and 2016 starting in May each time and there were around 300 per day leaving SJPP. I don't take a phone, never do bookings just walked each day until I had enough and always found a bed.
I try to avoid staying in the busy places and mostly go for municipal and parrochial albergues in the quieter places between the busier towns and cities. These albergues don't take bookings, it's just first come first served. Last year at one stop in a private albergue I was the only one staying there, had the whole place to myself in June!!!
That is a good plan for the first day, because Orrison fills up quickly. Actually, most days it will be fully pre-booked weeks ahead.I made a reservation in Orrison, but that's it. I like the idea of taking my time and staying in the in-between places as well. I will ask about a "forecast" at SJPP pilgrim office before I leave as Tom suggests. Thanks all !
I'm planning to walk the Camino Frances solo in May 2017 and wanted to know if i need to book a bed ahead of time. I would like to keep the planning to the bare minimum and if need be I can stay in private accommodations however, I would rather keep my cost down and stay in alburgues. I am planning on taking my iPhone and getting a sim card when I get to Spain so if necessary i can book the day before or the morning of. I was looking at the statistics and I have read that there is a race for a bed in the summer months but, it looks like May is starting to be that busy as well. Please advise. Thank you.
I'm planning to walk the Camino Frances solo in May 2017 and wanted to know if i need to book a bed ahead of time. I would like to keep the planning to the bare minimum and if need be I can stay in private accommodations however, I would rather keep my cost down and stay in alburgues. I am planning on taking my iPhone and getting a sim card when I get to Spain so if necessary i can book the day before or the morning of. I was looking at the statistics and I have read that there is a race for a bed in the summer months but, it looks like May is starting to be that busy as well. Please advise. Thank you.
never have and have been there many times.. be hopeful'But how about booking in SJPP ? Because it is the first day for camino, I am wondering if have to book an albergue or a hotel in SJPP.
Please give me an idea where to stay best for the start following morning
I have walked in March April May and September. September last year was very busy, much more so than in 2013. I did encounter a number of albergues where they were almost booked out by people phoning ahead but I always got a bed. Given the numbers last September inflated because it was the year of Mercy and the Holy Door was opened ad I always got a bed, I would say you should have no problem. I cant of course let a particular gripe of mine pass. One albergue I stopped in, every bed, about twenty, had a reservado sign on it and I got the last unreserved bed. Next morning, all but two of those signs were still there. The hospitallera was fuming as she had turned away business and no-one bothered to phone to cancel. She said that in future she would only allow reservations for half her beds and if not taken or confirmed by phone by 3pm she would let them go. On the brighter side, In Santa Catalina the albergue filled its unreserved beds not long after I arrived. While sitting outside having a drink I spotted a couple of local ladies stopping pilgrims who had been turned away and offering them beds in their homes. Aren't the people along the camino just absolute wonders. So in summary, go with the flow, stop in the less popular towns and you will be OKI'm planning to walk the Camino Frances solo in May 2017 and wanted to know if i need to book a bed ahead of time. I would like to keep the planning to the bare minimum and if need be I can stay in private accommodations however, I would rather keep my cost down and stay in alburgues. I am planning on taking my iPhone and getting a sim card when I get to Spain so if necessary i can book the day before or the morning of. I was looking at the statistics and I have read that there is a race for a bed in the summer months but, it looks like May is starting to be that busy as well. Please advise. Thank you.
Hola Greg - I too am starting from St Jean on 1st May - I have booked into Orrison, but after that its see what happens - aim on taking 4 days to reach Pamplona. See you on the road. CheersI start May 1 from SJPDP. I'll see you on the road! The only advance booking I'm doing is arrival night. After that I'll take it as it comes. Greg
My walk starts this May as well and will prefer quieter albergues but worry about cost. Is there a huge difference in price between municipal albergues and private ones. A private room now and then would be heaven.I have walked the Camino Frances three times in 2014, 2015 and 2016 starting in May each time and there were around 300 per day leaving SJPP. I don't take a phone, never do bookings just walked each day until I had enough and always found a bed.
I try to avoid staying in the busy places and mostly go for municipal and parrochial albergues in the quieter places between the busier towns and cities. These albergues don't take bookings, it's just first come first served. Last year at one stop in a private albergue I was the only one staying there, had the whole place to myself in June!!!
Can I ask if you walked the other 30km for a bed or where did you end up sleeping if there was nothing available in the town.I did the CF in May of last year. There were a lot of Pilgrims along the way and lots of (mostly unhelpful) chatter in the albergues about bed races and May becoming the new August. We normally walked 20 - 25 km / day and tried to stay + or - 5 to 7 km from the end points in Brierley's guide when possible. Based on my experience, I would say that if you are getting into town by 2 pm you should be fine. After that it could be dicey, especially in Brierley ending point towns. We didn't have any problems until day 16. After walking 35 km from Ermità di San Nicolás to Carrion de los Condes, and arriving just after 3 pm, my friend and I were unable to get a room. We went to every albergue and hotel in town. We also asked to sleep in a large room with tables at Espìritu Santo, but we were told that they were at capacity and could not exceed that number. The Sister there used our albergue list to find an open spot. She finally found one another 30 km ahead at San Bruno in Moratinos. After that, we booked every day. Although I'm not sure it was necessary, it was better for our own peace of mind. We did walk with others who never booked and never had a problem.
Generally all Albergues will be priced around 5 -12 euros. The Municipal and Parrochial Albergues are at the lower end, and include some which are Donativo for which you make a donation of what you feel is appropriate.My walk starts this May as well and will prefer quieter albergues but worry about cost. Is there a huge difference in price between municipal albergues and private ones. A private room now and then would be heaven.
It is very exciting. I'm in SJPDP 2 nights & start walking 30/4 to either Honto, Kayola or Orisson.See you out on the road! Starting my first camino on May 1st, staying in Orisson and it seems I'm already meeting some of my Camino family! This is so exciting!
G'day mate - and welcome to the Forum. You will be about a day ahead of me - I leave St Jean on May 1st - stopping at Orisson on the first night. But am also in St Jean for two nights prior to the departure. Might see you around! Cheers.It is very exciting. I'm in SJPDP 2 nights & start walking 30/4 to either Honto, Kayola or Orisson.
im innnJust a general reflection on pre-booking (and this is simply my opinion):
If you feel uncertain, by all means: Book ahead. BUT:
Many things (can) happen on the Camino:
1. You (may) get blisters, needing a rest day (I needed 4 days once)
2. You find a great village where you REALLY want to stay, before the place you have booked
3. In hostals, you will miss the cameraderie/shared cooking/communal meals (you can only book ahead at private albergues, not the public ones)
4. You may end up in a Camino family you REALLY do not want to leave, gettings new friends for life (I have)
5. You may find the love of your life (it happens) and completely change plans
6. You may want to switch to another route for a few days
7. You are walking according to a set/fixed plan, missing out the spontanious life of the Camino
and likely many more points (please share...)
It is higly unlikely that you will not find a bed for the night. As I have said before: In 7 Caminos, it has never happened to me. And what's wrong with rolling out your sleeping bag on a bench/churchstep for that highly unlikely night?
You are on the Camino for several reasons, perhaps one of them is to get away from a life of regularity and rules/must-do's. Why bringing them on to the Camino, and spoil a unique experience? Looking for new ways for your life? Then you must jump... Many unexpected things (can) happen on the Camino. Maybe coincidences in your life? Then remember:
Coincidenses are God's way of staying anonymous...(Mahatma Gandhi)
Jump.
Buen Camino!
EDIT: FYI: I am most likely on the CF from early May, starting in Burgos (I think): No pre-bookings whatsoever...
I like your comments alexwalker. I am wondering if I need to rest up with sore feet or blisters etc. where do you stay if you're only allowed one night in each albergue and have to leave by a certain time each morning. Do you have to wait around and move each day to a new albergue or find a private one to stay the duration while you get well. ThanksJust a general reflection on pre-booking (and this is simply my opinion):
If you feel uncertain, by all means: Book ahead. BUT:
Many things (can) happen on the Camino:
1. You (may) get blisters, needing a rest day (I needed 4 days once)
2. You find a great village where you REALLY want to stay, before the place you have booked
3. In hostals, you will miss the cameraderie/shared cooking/communal meals (you can only book ahead at private albergues, not the public ones)
4. You may end up in a Camino family you REALLY do not want to leave, gettings new friends for life (I have)
5. You may find the love of your life (it happens) and completely change plans
6. You may want to switch to another route for a few days
7. You are walking according to a set/fixed plan, missing out the spontanious life of the Camino
and likely many more points (please share...)
It is higly unlikely that you will not find a bed for the night. As I have said before: In 7 Caminos, it has never happened to me. And what's wrong with rolling out your sleeping bag on a bench/churchstep for that highly unlikely night?
You are on the Camino for several reasons, perhaps one of them is to get away from a life of regularity and rules/must-do's. Why bringing them on to the Camino, and spoil a unique experience? Looking for new ways for your life? Then you must jump... Many unexpected things (can) happen on the Camino. Maybe coincidences in your life? Then remember:
Coincidenses are God's way of staying anonymous...(Mahatma Gandhi)
Jump.
Buen Camino!
EDIT: FYI: I am most likely on the CF from early May, starting in Burgos (I think): No pre-bookings whatsoever...
The Sister at Espiritu Santu called a cab for us and we slept at Albergue San Bruno in Moratinos. It ended well as it is a wonderful Albergue run by Italians. We had one of the best dinners along the Camino there and reconnected with a young woman we had walked with for awhile on our first day. Before pleading for help, the Sister had recommended that we go to the camping site that is somewhere near the entrance to the town. This was not an option for us as we did not have tents and I only had a sleeping bag liner.Can I ask if you walked the other 30km for a bed or where did you end up sleeping if there was nothing available in the town.
On the Via de la Plata once, I stayed 4 nights in the public albergue bc. blisters (doctor's order). No problem. Other than that, I think all private albergues will let you stay more than 1 night: They run a business.im innn
I like your comments alexwalker. I am wondering if I need to rest up with sore feet or blisters etc. where do you stay if you're only allowed one night in each albergue and have to leave by a certain time each morning. Do you have to wait around and move each day to a new albergue or find a private one to stay the duration while you get well. Thanks
I'm currently in Fromista and it's becoming depressingly necessary to make bookings to secure a bed for the following day. I would expect May to get worse.I'm planning to walk the Camino Frances solo in May 2017 and wanted to know if i need to book a bed ahead of time. I would like to keep the planning to the bare minimum and if need be I can stay in private accommodations however, I would rather keep my cost down and stay in alburgues. I am planning on taking my iPhone and getting a sim card when I get to Spain so if necessary i can book the day before or the morning of. I was looking at the statistics and I have read that there is a race for a bed in the summer months but, it looks like May is starting to be that busy as well. Please advise. Thank you.
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