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Can Geneva - Le Puy route be done on €35 per day without camping?

Madrood

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Estrecho (2023)
Hi all

I saw a post on the Le Puy forum where the posters daily cost was ~€33. Is this route more expensive than the Le Puy route? Thanks for any and all info.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Greetings. Not sure….Which route?
Given the pandemic circumstances, prices are a bit more on the CF. Would estimate € 15-20 for a bunk bed. Most pilgrim meals wil be € 11-12 or more. So your budget of 35€ would be very tight. What about Coffee, beer, other meals, snacks, emergencies?
 
Greetings. Not sure….Which route?
Given the pandemic circumstances, prices are a bit more on the CF. Would estimate € 15-20 for a bunk bed. Most pilgrim meals wil be € 11-12 or more. So your budget of 35€ would be very tight. What about Coffee, beer, other meals, snacks, emergencies?
Hi Marbe, thanks for replying

Wasn't aware there were multiple options, though if my post wasn't clear I'm referring explicitly to the section between Geneva and Le Puy.

Looking at the Le Puy - SJPdP route, the cost of a gite/room without PD seemed to vary between €15 and €25, not that into drinking or dining out (for this at least) and always have money set aside for emergencies I don't include in a daily budget.

As for the CF, I'm surprised prices are that high. It almost seems that depending on who I ask, the CF is either the cheapest because of the wide range of albergues, or one of the dearest because of the popularity of the route. Would probably lean towards the Norte then, or Olvidado.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Hi Marbe, thanks for replying

Wasn't aware there were multiple options, though if my post wasn't clear I'm referring explicitly to the section between Geneva and Le Puy.

Looking at the Le Puy - SJPdP route, the cost of a gite/room without PD seemed to vary between €15 and €25, not that into drinking or dining out (for this at least) and always have money set aside for emergencies I don't include in a daily budget.

As for the CF, I'm surprised prices are that high. It almost seems that depending on who I ask, the CF is either the cheapest because of the wide range of albergues, or one of the dearest because of the popularity of the route. Would probably lean towards the Norte then, or Olvidado.
What time of year are you planning to go?
 
Hi all

I saw a post on the Le Puy forum where the posters daily cost was ~€33. Is this route more expensive than the Le Puy route? Thanks for any and all info.

France is way more expensive than Spain. I can walk in Spain for 30 Euro's a day comfortably. When I walked Le Puy route (five years ago) I budgeted for 40 Euro a day and it was really tight. Some days I had to choose between accommodation OR an evening meal and freecamp. I would of been more comfortable with 55 Euro's a day to be honest. There are some cheap places (gite communals) but there are stretches with only expensive options.

Davey
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Hi Marbe, thanks for replying

Wasn't aware there were multiple options, though if my post wasn't clear I'm referring explicitly to the section between Geneva and Le Puy.

Looking at the Le Puy - SJPdP route, the cost of a gite/room without PD seemed to vary between €15 and €25, not that into drinking or dining out (for this at least) and always have money set aside for emergencies I don't include in a daily budget.

As for the CF, I'm surprised prices are that high. It almost seems that depending on who I ask, the CF is either the cheapest because of the wide range of albergues, or one of the dearest because of the popularity of the route. Would probably lean towards the Norte then, or Olvidado.
In reference to your surprise about prices on the Camino Frances.: I recently finished my 5th time on the route. Due to COVID and the cleaning protocols and capacity limitations it seems that the prices in most places were definitely higher. I paid as much a 18 euro for a bunk bed. I would say the range was generally 12-18 euros. I also noticed that the pilgrim meals were more expensive and most were now more than the 12 euro. Of course just like we are experiencing at home, the cost of supplies has gone up significantly, so no surprise. There are plenty of people who have walked the French route and can help but from what I have heard it is more expensive than the Camino Frances so I would have serious doubts that it can be done on your budget.
 
Hi all

I saw a post on the Le Puy forum where the posters daily cost was ~€33. Is this route more expensive than the Le Puy route? Thanks for any and all info.

Before the pandemic you could walk the spanish part of Camino Francés for an average of 35 euros a day. Expect the average to be 50 euros a day now. And France is more expensive.
 
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,-
I met an unfortunate Polish guy, although he lived in Germany with a German income.

Well, he enjoyed living the high life in France, so by the time he reached Spain his savings ran out. He wasn't a beggar like some broke "pilgrims" but happily accepted bread and wine, and got a friend abroad to gift him money for accommodation.

Anyway.. i only started in St Jean and after a while got into the habit of preparing my own lunch and sometimes breakfast-at least i refused to pay €3 for stale bread and bad coffee. I usually stayed in private albergues where the cost was €12-15 (and a booking.com rating of 8.5 or higher), twice a week got a private single room, and usually had a restaurant meal/pilgrim menu in the evenings.... Alcohol bumped up my costs and overall I could have saved a lot more.

By the same token, France is way more expensive than Spain. It will come down to how much comfort you want and how much socialising in bars and restaurants you want to do. Seeing as you could pay €30 for a bottle of wine in a nice french cafe you could easily spend a lot of money whiling away your evenings.
 
It‘s hard but I think it’s doable.
Keep strict cost discipline. Stay in public gites or home stays whenever possible. No restaurants, no cafes, only self catering on low level, no wine, no beer, just water! You see, not funny. 😕
Anyway…
Bon chemin!
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Hi all

I saw a post on the Le Puy forum where the posters daily cost was ~€33. Is this route more expensive than the Le Puy route? Thanks for any and all info.
Absolutely.If you get the Yellow guide booklet from Assiciation de St Jacques Rhone d'Alpes, you will find all accommodation options listed.
I have walked this route twice.
There are quite a few gite communale places along the track, where beds are around 15 Euros. They usually have kitchens, showers etc and there are shops, sometimes a market.
A couple of campsites have dorms.
There is also an amazing network of Accueil Jacquaires where you stay, eat with families for a donation, although, I do not know how covid has impacted on this.
I love this route.
Hi all

I saw a post on the Le Puy forum where the posters daily cost was ~€33. Is this route more expensive than the Le Puy route? Thanks for any and all info.
 
Hi all

I saw a post on the Le Puy forum where the posters daily cost was ~€33. Is this route more expensive than the Le Puy route? Thanks for any and all info.
agree with Gitti Harre👍 Certainly do-able if you buy the «Guide Jaune» aka yellow guidebook published by the Assoc. Rhone Alpes des Amis de Saint-Jacques [a new edition will be published in February 2022] and aim to stay at the gîtes communal, local / municipal camp grounds [where you will find cabins] and the network of «accueils jacquaires» ...

here is the link to the association’s website : <https://chemins-s.amis-st-jacques.org/les-guides/> and <https://boutique.amis-st-jacques.org/wp-upload/telechargement/pdf/description_guide_jaune.pdf> ...

Note that some, but not all, of the campgrounds are «seasonal» and may not be open until late May or early June ... you will find all the relevant info in the «guide jaune» and then you can do your own research to confirm details of openings, et al. Bon chemin 👣👣👣

p.s. this weblink should take you directly to the association guidebook «shop»🤞
<https://boutique.amis-st-jacques-ara.com/guides/>

However, as there is a new edition on the way it is possible that they have sold out of the current edition ...
 
Last edited:
A new edition would be very good, as I suspect a lot of Accueil Jacquaire accommodation options have changed.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
France is way more expensive than Spain. I can walk in Spain for 30 Euro's a day comfortably. When I walked Le Puy route (five years ago) I budgeted for 40 Euro a day and it was really tight. Some days I had to choose between accommodation OR an evening meal and freecamp. I would of been more comfortable with 55 Euro's a day to be honest. There are some cheap places (gite communals) but there are stretches with only expensive options.

Davey
I found the Geneva Route on of the cheapest due to a good number of communal gites and homestays.
Wine and beer are very cheap to buy in shops. 35 Euro is realistic. Some days, I only spent 25 on gite plus self catering.
 
I found the Geneva Route one of the cheapest due to a good number of communal gites and homestays.
Wine and beer are very cheap to buy in shops. 35 Euro is realistic. Some days, I only spent 25 on gite plus self catering.
Le Puy route is more expensive than Geneva Route. Walked it 3 x.
 
What can help to keep cost down is to do some research regarding supermarkets. With a bit of detour from the marked path there are often bigger / cheaper supermarkets to be found, while close to the path there might only be a small, expensive épicery or no shop at all. Not sure about the Geneva route (haven't walked that one), but on other paths with higher prices and fewer options that's what I do when planning. Just zoom into the town on google maps and search for supermarket, bakery ect. and it will show them. Bigger supermarkets are usually a bit outside of town. Then you can write a short note into your guide book about how to get there.

You might need to walk a few more kms, and will also carry a bit more weight, but if you refill stuff like jam/confiture into more lightweight containers and plan your shopping detours wisely it's not a big issue.

Also, have a look around the supermarkets to get a feeling for which regional foods are inexpensive. You can save a lot of money by buying food that is common in the country/region instead of looking for the kind of things you usually would eat at home. That way you can still enjoy authentic regional food, just for less money than eating in restaurants or when relying on demi pension.

Happy planning!
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
You really don't need to contort yourself too much to be within 35 Euro budget on that route.
Even better and good to know :) I had heard from another pilgrim that prices were higher on the route from Geneva, but apparently that information was not entirely correct. Thanks for the information.
 
A new edition would be very good, as I suspect a lot of Accueil Jacquaire accommodation options have changed.
The Amis website (links posted earlier in this thread) has PDF files with annual (possibly even seasonal) updates to the printed version.
 
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.
Even better and good to know :) I had heard from another pilgrim that prices were higher on the route from Geneva, but apparently that information was not entirely correct. Thanks for the information.
It is higher if you end up in hotels, but you don't need to. I did book ahead though.
 
Hi Marbe, thanks for replying

Wasn't aware there were multiple options, though if my post wasn't clear I'm referring explicitly to the section between Geneva and Le Puy.

Looking at the Le Puy - SJPdP route, the cost of a gite/room without PD seemed to vary between €15 and €25, not that into drinking or dining out (for this at least) and always have money set aside for emergencies I don't include in a daily budget.

As for the CF, I'm surprised prices are that high. It almost seems that depending on who I ask, the CF is either the cheapest because of the wide range of albergues, or one of the dearest because of the popularity of the route. Would probably lean towards the Norte then, or Olvidado.

I have no idea about the Olividado, but there are threads on here which would inform you. I can assure you that the del Norte would be costlier than the Frances, likely by €5-10 per diem. First, the northern coast is the traditional holiday zone for Spaniards, and so backup accommodation will be pricier than on the Francese and, second, there is less albergue space than on the Francese. Carefuly budgeting will keep you on the lower end.

I did find when walking in France that the supermarchés were an excellent place to buy food (cooked chicken was often very reasonable) and, if you don't mind carrying some food with you, the larger (as opposed to pocket-sized) containers were an economic option.

I wonder if the €35/diem days of the Camino are beginning to fade, especially with increasing costs and generally reduced revenues for albergues, but we'll know more as next year advances.
 
Thanks all for the info! Looks like I've got some more reading to do ...
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Thanks all for the info! Looks like I've got some more reading to do
Communal gites in Charly, end of stage 1,
Chaumont, end of shortish stage 2.
Donativo Accueil Jaquaire Christine Hottlet Seyssel, end of stage 3.
Chanaz small Gite Euro 23 incl bfast, end of stage 4.
Yenne Clos des Capucins, end of stage 5....a bit pricey, unsure of othe options.
Saint Maurice de Rotherens, end of stage 6, a couple of donativo accueil jacquaires Marc et Katja
Le Verou Camping, has dorm for pilgrims, end of stage 7
Le Pin, donativo accueil jacquaire Roland et Elisabeth, end of stage 8
Gillonay Maison Montgontier was Euro 25 incl bfast and dinner, a bit depressing though, better place in Maurice St Andre, end of stage 9.
Revel Tourdan several donations accueil jacquaires end of stage 10.
Assieu La petite ferme Euro 33 dinner, bed and bfast end of stage 11.
Chavanay Gite Communal very nice, end of stage 12.
Merigneux Amazing Gite Croix st blandine Euro 38 dinner bed and bfast. End of stage 13.
Bourg Argental several donations accueil jacquaires end of stage 14
Les Setoux Gite Le Combalou Euro 36 dinner, bed and bfast end of stage 15
Montfaucon en Velay Gite communale end of stage 16
Saint Jeures amazing chamber d'hotes Le Fougal Euro 38 dinner bed and bfast. You will be spoilt! 4 course dinner, aperitif, wine, tea, the most incredible bfast end of stage 17
St Julien Chaptueil Gite Communale end of stage 19
Le Puy, lots of options.
You can easily do 30 Euro or less days on the Gite communale days, offsetting the more expensive but utterly worth days, where you stay in the places with demipension, which includes wine.
These are the places, I stayed in or passed. I created my own stages from the yellow booklet.
I also had a German guidebook, but the accommodation options were totally out of date and of course did not include the private accueil jacquaires.
 
I found the Geneva Route on of the cheapest due to a good number of communal gites and homestays.
Wine and beer are very cheap to buy in shops. 35 Euro is realistic. Some days, I only spent 25 on gite plus self catering.

Yes I agree, I spent way less between Geneva and Le Puy than Le Puy onwards.
 
Greetings. Not sure….Which route?
Given the pandemic circumstances, prices are a bit more on the CF. Would estimate € 15-20 for a bunk bed. Most pilgrim meals wil be € 11-12 or more. So your budget of 35€ would be very tight. What about Coffee, beer, other meals, snacks, emergencies?
Best way to get costs down is, instead of daily restaurant or gîte menus, get most (but not all !! ) of your food from shops, markets, supermarkets.

Next is sleeping outdoors from time to time, even without a tent -- though as one gets older this does seem to become more difficult if you're not in the position of being forced to do so.

Finally -- and it helps here if you're a French-speaking Catholic -- sometimes it is possible to get somewhere to sleep, even just some space on the floor, from village presbyteries and so on.

Being a coffeeholic does have its downsides -- I'm not one, but I sympathise.

French coffee is usually OK out in the sticks, and not usually too expensive.
Outside of Iberia, I would get very little of this in a bar -- only by necessity, and generally in France getting wine in a bar (and asking for a large glass of water with ice cubes to accompany it, if you need something cool to drink) is the better option.

You can get cans of beer more easily at supermarkets in France than Spain ; it's more costly, but when you know which of the cheaper brews are acceptable (or even good), you can usually get by.
other meals
I'd say one meal a day (especially if it's a good, chunky, pilgrim menu) should be enough on most days ; plus breakfast for those that want it.
Don't much eat of these personally, but in France it's generally a good idea with these to aim at bread & something ; pâté, terrine, cheese, ham, sausage, tomato + whatever, and so on. Maybe a pizza slice from time to time ; and it's usually both best and cheapest to look for one's snacks in a bakery rather than elsewhere, though many French supermarkets sell €1 to €3 packs of various charcuteries.

Those and fruit of course.
emergencies
Well, by definition, these don't count as daily budget costs ...
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.

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