Camino Frances or Camino Portugues... in 2 weeks?

[Matthew R]

I will be a first-time Camino traveler and am in the planning stage for my journey this coming summer. I have only two weeks to hike along the Camino (I am trying to squeeze it in between the end of work and the beginning of my next college semester). I originally was thinking of starting the Camino Frances, making it as far as I can, and then taking a bus/train to Bilbao and flying out from there, but now I am wondering whether it would be better to take the Camino Portugues instead (as it is shorter).

-Would it be possible for me to finish the Camino Portugues in two weeks (I exercise regularly yet I don't necessarily want to rush the walk)?
-One seeming advantage of the Camino Portugues is that it begins in a very accessible city (Lisbon), how difficult/expensive is it to get to St. Jean Pied de Port from the nearest airport?
-I am trying to make this trip as inexpensive as possible, which route option is relatively cheaper (costs of albergues, etc.)
-More generally, which route is more scenic/enjoyable?

If anyone who has walked both trails could help me out in answering these questions, it would be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Welcome to the Forum

Portuguese is obviously shorter - but you are unlikely to manage to walk from Lisbon in two weeks (you'd have to do more than a marathon every day). However, you could start in Porto and have a few days spare to look round Porto and Santiago (especially if it's your first time - or if you really want to keep walking and you've arrived in Santiago with too much time on your hands you could walk out Fisterra or Muxia).
Take a look at this guide for distances http://www.gronze.com/camino-de-santiago/caminos/guia-del-camino-portugues
Porto is easily accessible from Lisbon (a quick train trip)

Portuguese will be cheaper.

Neither will take the prize for most scenic route - but you can find beauty anywhere if you have your eyes open.

 

[dougfitz]

Another option would be to do the Camino Ingles and then walk out to Muxia and Finisterre. Fly in and out of Santiago, catch the bus to Ferrol and back from Finisterre at the end and spend a couple of days in Santiago.

 

[Matthew R]

Thanks for all of this information. Is there also an online distance guide for the Camino Frances?

 

[SYates]

I like http://santiago.forwalk.org/en/
Buen Camino! SY