Do you have to pay for a Pilgrims Passport

[wilkinsonsworld]

Hi everyone

Have heard conflicting stories about pilgrim's passports. Are they free or do you have to buy them, if so, what price are they?

Thanks.
Jane

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Re: DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR A PILGRIMS PASSPORT?

The Pilgrims' Passport issued by the Cathedral in Santiago cost 0.75€ when purchased from the Pilgrims' Office in Santiago. The Office supplies albergues and Amigos organisations with Passports and they sometimes place a small administrative charge on top - you should pay no more than 1 or 2€.

In some countries the local organisations such as Confraternities produce their own Passport which is accepted by the Pilgrims' Office in Santiago. Prices vary - some ask that you join them before they will issue a Passport, others will provide a passport for a fee.

See this page for further information: http://www.csj.org.uk/how-to-get-a-credencial.htm

You may also get a passport at http://www.mundicamino.com

Many pilgrims worry about getting a passport before they leave for Spain - this is not essential as they are readily available in albergues along the routes.

Regards

John

 

[wilkinsonsworld]

Re: DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR A PILGRIMS PASSPORT?

Thanks very much for the info, John. Much appreciated.

Warm wishes
Jane

 

[Camino2010]

Re: DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR A PILGRIMS PASSPORT?

Hello, Jane

I ordered a credential from the Canadian Company of Pilgrims a couple of months before I went to Spain last September. The credential cost $5 Canadian.

There's room for 74 stamps in the credential but it soon became clear that I was going to run out of space! I enjoyed collecting interesting sellos along the way, in addition to stamps from the albergues I stayed at (like the stamp from the chocolate museum in Astorga, for example).

When I got to the albergue in Rabanal I asked about getting a new credential to see me the rest of the way along the Camino. I was able to obtain one there at the albergue for 1€. I began using the second credential when I reached the monastery in Samos, and the pilgrim's office in Santiago stamped both credentials with its official sello.

I think it's fun to have "two kinds" of credentials from my first Camino. Next time I may travel to Spain with two credentials to begin with (if I decide I want two Canadian ones, anyway).

Before I asked in Rabanal, I wasn't sure how easy it would be to get a second credential, especially along the way, but it was no problem. The hospitalero in Rabanal stamped the new one and dated it for me, and I was all set to go.

All the best,

Rachel

 

[vinotinto]

Re: DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR A PILGRIMS PASSPORT?

I believe I paid around 6 Euros for mine in Bordeaux, France, at the tourist office in the train station back in 2007... :arrow:

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Re: DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR A PILGRIMS PASSPORT?

Hi - Many pilgrims just add in their own extra pages if they feel they are going to run out.

 

[Ian Holdsworth]

Re: DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR A PILGRIMS PASSPORT?

Peterborough Pilgims to Santiago issue Cathedral issued credentials for nothing. A stamped address envelop is all that is needed. If you want to send a contribution to their work that is great, but it is really up to you!

 

[camino-david]

If you start from St Jean Pied de Port, you can get the Pilgrims Passport from the Pilgrims Office there. There is enough room for 54 stamps. The cost is 1 Euro, but if you make a donation of 1 Euro extra, they will also give you a scallop shell, which almost every pilgrim fixes to the back of their pack. The Pilgrims Office is open everyday all year from 0730 to 1200 and 1330 to 2100, except Fridays and Sundays when it doesn't close until 22.30 after the arrival of the last train. This information came by email from the Pilgrims Office in Feb 2011. You can get as many passports as you walk along the Camino. Camino-David

 

[tobyjones]

Hi, can anyone confirm if the info on this thread (2011) is still current? Can you get a pilgrim's passport at most/all albergues and the pilgrim office at SJPP? And what is the cost?
Thanks

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Some albergues and Pilgrim Office for sure. The cost is 2-4E, generally.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Even if your credential has enough space to hold all the stamps you may want to get two. When you have used up all the space on side one of credential one start using side two of credential two. Later you can display both in a frame and see all your stamps at once.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Even if your credential has enough space to hold all the stamps you may want to get two. When you have used up all the space on side one of credential one start using side two of credential two. Later you can display both in a frame and see all your stamps at once.

Which is exactly what I did in re my first Camino. And every time I see them, framed, on my office wall, I smile.

 

[peregrina2000]

Which is exactly what I did in re my first Camino. And every time I see them, framed, on my office wall, I smile.

I hope you were luckier with your framing than I was. My very first credential is in a very nice frame, but all the stamps have faded, many to nothing. I think there is a way to protect them with some special glass, but it´s too late for me.

 

[Tincatinker]

Hi, can anyone confirm if the info on this thread (2011) is still current? Can you get a pilgrim's passport at most/all albergues and the pilgrim office at SJPP? And what is the cost?
Thanks

Wow Toby, welcome back to the forum. Last seen in 2009. Where you been?
Credencials are as always available in St Jean, or from Ivar’s shop here on the forum. The cost? Now that can be severe. Beware the distant gaze of the perpetual Peregrino