Do I need to pre-book in Puente la Reina?

[Joanne P]

My partner and I will be walking the Camino Frances in 2023, starting June 3rd. As we don't want to rush, I will book accommodation for the first few days in advance as I believe we may have trouble getting beds in these sections.

I'm not sure about Puente la Reina though - can accommodation in albergues be hard to get if we come in mid-late afternoon? (last time we walked through Puente la Reina to Maneru).

Thanks in advance.

​

 

[isawtman]

I started from St Jean on Sept 2 which turned out to be one of the busiest days of the year.
People told me to book the first few days, but I didn't listen. I thought after Pamplona everything would
be okay. But in reality, I got one of the last beds in Puente la Reina. I should have known
trouble was coming from two nights before. I did get a bed at the Zubiri Municipal Albergue,
but it filled up. Late arriving pilgrims called Laurasoana, and the albergue there was filled, too.
Not sure if those pilgrims took a taxi to Pamplona. So, I guess you could judge it based
on Zubiri. If you get to Zubiri and the Albergue is just half full, perhaps you don't need to
worry about Puente la Reina.

 

[trecile]

June will be less busy than May and September. Unless there's a particular place that you want to stay at in Puente la Reina you could wait and see what the pilgrim traffic is like at the time.

 

[Grousedoctor]

The two times that I have spent the night in Puente la Reina (early May and early October), there were a lot of pilgrims in town. My experience has almost always been that if you arrive early afternoon, getting a bed is not usually difficult. Later on in the day can be more problematic. If you are looking to stay in a private room in an albergue, then I would reserve in advance. Or, if there is a particular place you want to stay I’d reserve ahead. In part, it depends on your comfort level arriving mid to late afternoon and your interest or energy looking for a room after walking all day. Buen Camino!

 

[Joanne P]

I started from St Jean on Sept 2 which turned out to be one of the busiest days of the year.
People told me to book the first few days, but I didn't listen. I thought after Pamplona everything would
be okay. But in reality, I got one of the last beds in Puente la Reina. I should have known
trouble was coming from two nights before. I did get a bed at the Zubiri Municipal Albergue,
but it filled up. Late arriving pilgrims called Laurasoana, and the albergue there was filled, too.
Not sure if those pilgrims took a taxi to Pamplona. So, I guess you could judge it based
on Zubiri. If you get to Zubiri and the Albergue is just half full, perhaps you don't need to
worry about Puente la Reina.

Thank you

 

[Joanne P]

June will be less busy than May and September. Unless there's a particular place that you want to stay at in Puente la Reina you could wait and see what the pilgrim traffic is like at the time.

Thanks. Yes, good point. I got too focussed on "pre-book now or not" LOL. For Puente la Reina, I'll wait and see how busy it is over those first few days and take it from there. Last time (2018) we usually called ahead and pre-booked at lunchtime each day as we were a group of 4 people then. I'm really hoping we can just wing it this time (apart from those first few days).

 

[musicman]

We stayed at hotel Cerco - booked in advance. I don’t do albergues - booked everything in advance so no anxiety about sleep arrangements and just enjoy the Camino.

 

[Former member 92300]

I only worry about pre-booking SJPDP, Orisson (should you want to stay there), Roncesvalles (just to be sure I have a bed after the Pyrennees), and maybe Zubiri. Depends on how busy it seems to be - but I try not to pre-book after Zubiri. If I do pre-book beyond Zubiri - I only do so the night before or the morning of arrival. Sarria to Santiago may require some pre-booking if it is very busy.

 

[RJM]

Maybe, maybe not.
It's impossible to predict something like that.

 

[StellarB]

I would consider booking a few days before arrival. Pre-booking was not necessary in most places, but Puente la Reina (and Zubiri) can get full. We hadn't pre-booked and ended up sleeping on mats on the floor of a cold, former wine cellar, which was better than no accommodation, but less than ideal.

 

[Joanne P]

I would consider booking a few days before arrival. Pre-booking was not necessary in most places, but Puente la Reina (and Zubiri) can get full. We hadn't pre-booked and ended up sleeping on mats on the floor of a cold, former wine cellar, which was better than no accommodation, but less than ideal.

Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated

 

[NorthernLight]

If you seem likely to be arriving later in the day and it seems like there are a lot of pilgrims on the way, consider stopping for the night in Obanos, which is only a couple km before Puenta la Reina. Most Frances pilgrims rush through Obanos, many Aragones pilgrims stop there to savour one last night before the merging with the great horde.

 

[dick bird]

If you seem likely to be arriving later in the day and it seems like there are a lot of pilgrims on the way, consider stopping for the night in Obanos, which is only a couple km before Puenta la Reina. Most Frances pilgrims rush through Obanos, many Aragones pilgrims stop there to savour one last night before the merging with the great horde.

Excellent idea. Obanos is a quiet little place but the albergue is clean, comfortable and large.

 

[Joanne P]

If you seem likely to be arriving later in the day and it seems like there are a lot of pilgrims on the way, consider stopping for the night in Obanos, which is only a couple km before Puenta la Reina. Most Frances pilgrims rush through Obanos, many Aragones pilgrims stop there to savour one last night before the merging with the great horde.

Thank you. I did wonder about staying there. It looks like a good option

 

[JabbaPapa]

Unless you were unlucky, I would not imagine that there's usually a problem in June of a non Holy Year. But as others have said, if it's crowded in the previous days, maybe be safe rather than sorry ?