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OK nosy question -> So many pilgrims come from Australia to walk the caminos, I know the flight times are horrendous each way but what is the average airfare? I fly from 200+ miles south and east of Seattle, minimum 16 hours of flight time to Madrid and I've paid an average of $1275 roundtrip.
As to statistics - have a look at the data Johnnie Walker puts out monthly/yearly. Prices vary - it really depends on whether you want to go direct (into Paris - start in St Jean; or Madrid and start in Pamplona or points west) then with Emirate Airlines $1645-1900 AUD are good prices. If you are a frequent flyer they send out "special" deals. Other airlines - via Singapore / Bankok / Hong Kong (& mainland China) also offer good deals but often result in 4-6-8-12 hour stop overs either Westbound or Eastbound. Direct flight times Syd-Mad 25 hours (including the time on the ground in Dubai).OK nosy question -> So many pilgrims come from Australia to walk the caminos, I know the flight times are horrendous each way but what is the average airfare? I fly from 200+ miles south and east of Seattle, minimum 16 hours of flight time to Madrid and I've paid an average of $1275 roundtrip.
I'm not big on open/dry landscapes, and I have worked out that I will probably travel in late Sept or early March, if that alters your advice?I've always lived in forested places and the meseta made quite an impression on me. But I don't know how much it would appeal to you if you have lived in open, drier areas in Australia. Do you think you would like hills or plains more? What do Aussies think would be the section to do?
I am not that old and OK fitness, but I think 20km a day or 25 max would be best for me.Astorga to Santiago is quite nice, and very do-able in that time frame. Going from Leon is also very do-able.
What sort of distances can you cover per day. That is what will determine your starting point. 20km a day is a common distance that anyone with some fitness should be able to walk. More is also very achievable.
Without knowing what your average distance is per day, its pretty hard to offer you a good starting point.
That sounds great! Didn't know there was a group locally. Yay!Hi Holhum, I see that you're from Caloundra, are you aware of the Sunshine Coast Camino Group?
Our next meeting is 2pm, Sunday 20th Nov. at the Community Centre on David Low Way, Mudjimba.
A brilliant group with an absolute wealth of information. Would love to see you there. Cheers, Jacki.
I usually do a Aussie to Europe return trip once a year.OK nosy question -> So many pilgrims come from Australia to walk the caminos, I know the flight times are horrendous each way but what is the average airfare?
And there is us lot in Brisbane.That sounds great! Didn't know there was a group locally. Yay!
I may have a 3 week window to travel from Australa and do just a 16-18 day walk. I have my heart set on the Frances route, I would love some beautiful scenery
I too would suggest Leon to Santiago and then to Fisterra if you have time.
I'm not big on open/dry landscapes, and I have worked out that I will probably travel in late Sept or early March, if that alters your advice?
I may have a 3 week window to travel from Australa and do just a 16-18 day walk. I have my heart set on the Frances route, I would love some beautiful scenery and I do not want to rush....even though I can't do the whole thing I want it to be a peaceful and reflective time for me. I would like to (one day) do Pamploma to Santiago....with only 2 and a bit weeks to walk do I do eg a section like Pamploma to Leon (?) or start somewhere much closer and get all the way to Santiago. I should be able to come back in 2-3 years and do 'the rest'. Not sure when I will be able to go....maybe June.
1. I use Singapore as a hub as many more airlines fly thru there to Europe therefore cheaper flights.@gerardcarey where do you ever find flights for $1200? Mine have never been under $1600.
Gerard - far too many stopovers for this little black duck. Unless I am getting a free 3-4 star hotel (as I am next April) a stopover of any longer than 4 hours (ie change of plane) is just not worth the hassle (imho).1. Use Singapore as a hub as many more airlines fly thru there to Europe therefore cheaper flights....
Last year because I took Europe first-timers, we flew Scoot fm Brissy to Singas (stopover), then with Finnair via Helsinki (stopover) into Amsterdam.
Returned with Finnair fm Madrid via Helsinki again to Singas (stopover), then Scoot home to Brissy. (Like that Singas stopover each way)
So, I plan the Singas return to Europe first, then the Scoot flights to match.
I'm not too worried about quality (I consider aircraft to be just big buses) but I do enjoy getting a good price deal - for a couple or group they can be considerable. Gerard
You're soft mate!Gerard - far too many stopovers for this little black duck. Unless I am getting a free 3-4 star hotel (as I am next April) a stopover of any longer than 4 hours (ie change of plane) is just not worth the hassle (imho).
@Kanga Qatar have had some brilliant fares available e.g. Adelaide - Doha - Manchester UK return $1400 including all taxes.And, @gerardcarey where do you ever find flights for $1200? Mine have never been under $1600.
Nice we contemplated BC but they wanted and extra 5k so we passedAlso too late for me - but then I did arrange a good deal with Emirates using FFM (in Business Class no less!!)
That might make me homesick...not that I am Tasmanian, but they are such lovely gums!We did Ponferrada to Santiago in about 13 days, about 20-25 km per day last June. A total of 210km. It was a beautiful section and included the climb up to O Cebreiro. We took a rest day in Sarria to wait for friends and it was good timing, as we'd had 3 days of rain. The rest of it was sunny and pleasant for mid June. There were some road sections, some hilly sections, many vineyards, great little villages. We met lots of Aussies on this section too. The last 2 days are through giant Tasmanian Blue Gums planted in Galicia for wood! Despite the last section being busier, there were times when it was quiet and tranquil. See my video of a walk through the Gum trees here:
I may have a 3 week window to travel from Australa and do just a 16-18 day walk. I have my heart set on the Frances route, I would love some beautiful scenery and I do not want to rush....even though I can't do the whole thing I want it to be a peaceful and reflective time for me. I would like to (one day) do Pamploma to Santiago....with only 2 and a bit weeks to walk do I do eg a section like Pamploma to Leon (?) or start somewhere much closer and get all the way to Santiago. I should be able to come back in 2-3 years and do 'the rest'. Not sure when I will be able to go....maybe June.
Why not do a rethink and leave the Frances until you have more time. You could easily do the Portuguese inland (or the beautiful coastal) from Porto in that time frame, have time to enjoy both Porto and SdC at each end and also obtain a Compostela. You will then be fired up to do the longer route when you can find the time. The trip from Australia is long and expensive (we know as we did the Portuguese in May from Perth). It would be disappointing to only do part of the Frances and not reach SdC as some are suggesting. Bom Caminho / Buen CaminoI'm not big on open/dry landscapes, and I have worked out that I will probably travel in late Sept or early March, if that alters your advice?
I certainly would not suggest March for the Portuguese as the infrastructure is not as strong as other routes. Much was still closed in early May, but Sept should be fine. Each town has a tourist office to suggest accommodation on the fly or you can use an app to book ahead each day. No dry scenery on the coastal - you follow the Atlantic as far as Vigo then beautiful inland. My blog is here FYI and picsWhy not do a rethink and leave the Frances until you have more time. You could easily do the Portuguese inland (or the beautiful coastal) from Porto in that time frame, have time to enjoy both Porto and SdC at each end and also obtain a Compostela. You will then be fired up to do the longer route when you can find the time. The trip from Australia is long and expensive (we know as we did the Portuguese in May from Perth). It would be disappointing to only do part of the Frances and not reach SdC as some are suggesting. Bom Caminho / Buen Camino
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