Patrick Hickmott
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2019
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When I reserved, at first my credit card wasn't accepted. I had to call my CC company to let them know that I was trying to pay on the site. But they only allow the beds on the first floor to be reserved there are (I believe) two more floors of beds. Be aware that there are no blankets available. If you want to stay at Orisson, you will have to reserve, as they only have 28 beds.I have tried to book the alburgue in Roncessvalles but I can’t find how to pay so assume it isn’t booked.
When I reserved, at first my credit card wasn't accepted. I had to call my CC company to let them know that I was trying to pay on the site. But they only allow the beds on the first floor to be reserved there are (I believe) two more floors of beds. Be aware that there are no blankets available. If you want to stay at Orisson, you will have to reserve, as they only have 28 beds.
LE REFUGE ORISSON | THE WAY OF ST JAMES
With a capacity of 28 beds in dormitories of 6 and 10 beds, the REFUGE ORISSON is open from April to October. It was converted from an ancient shepherd’s house in 2004, maintaining the traditional charm, while offerin some comfort.refuge-orisson.com
You can book and immediately pay for the beds of the albergue of Roncesvalles on their website. Use this link: http://www.alberguederoncesvalles.com/index.php?idioma=2 as it is already set to English as language. Click on Reservations and then on the big round button to start the process. Do not use a browser with an automatic translation from Spanish to English for the Roncesvalles website. Some people have trouble completing the booking because their credit card lacks an option that is required. I see that you are from England, you shouldn't have a problem with the payment. If you plan to walk in early September I'd suggest that you book Roncesvalles. If all fails you can contact the albergue by email which is indicated on the website, they may offer you a different payment option. Best of luck and buen camino.I will continue to try and book Roncesvalles and we will hope to wing it from there.
Hi @Patrick Hickmott
Delighted to see your response just now. For me the camino is all about spontaneity and reducing stress. Just remember while you're on camino you only have three jobs; walking, finding food and finding accomodation, none of which are that difficult.
To respond to your original post-
It certainly isn't true that you need to book accomodation. In about 70 days on camino I've only ever once had to walk to the next village to find a bed and even that wouldn't have been the case if I were on my own, it was only because I was in a group of four and only two beds were left.
As some have said booking at Roncesvalles can be a bit of a pain, especially when it comes to payment but it is possible.
Buen Camino,
Rob.
if there is no bed at Roncesvalles carry onto Burguette or Espinal. It makes it a 30+ KM day, but on the right side you should make it to Pamplona the next day.
So glad to read this. I saw so many living by a rigid schedule and getting frustrated when things went “wrong”. Just go with it. Prepare. Read up. Have some good guidebooks or apps. Then let it unfold. I promise you the best memories will end up being the places and people you discover along the way.Thanks Rob
I appreciate your reply.
As this is our first time and we have a specific reason for doing it we really want to make it a bit special and booking everything in advance seems to take away something from the experience.
I definitely recommend a stay at Orisson, if only for the experience. After a leasurly walk we were in Roncesvalles before opening time. It was a great start to our Camino last year. (Only stopped for coffee in 2017)When I reserved, at first my credit card wasn't accepted. I had to call my CC company to let them know that I was trying to pay on the site. But they only allow the beds on the first floor to be reserved there are (I believe) two more floors of beds. Be aware that there are no blankets available. If you want to stay at Orisson, you will have to reserve, as they only have 28 beds.
LE REFUGE ORISSON | THE WAY OF ST JAMES
With a capacity of 28 beds in dormitories of 6 and 10 beds, the REFUGE ORISSON is open from April to October. It was converted from an ancient shepherd’s house in 2004, maintaining the traditional charm, while offerin some comfort.refuge-orisson.com
No, that's Orisson that sends an email with an invoice. Follow the instructions that @Kathar1na posted above.I am under the impression that they send an email that then allows you to pay. I haven’t had anything from them and I cannot find anywhere on the booking form where you can pay.
Am I missing something?
Thanks Tim. That's the plan anyway!!So glad to read this. I saw so many living by a rigid schedule and getting frustrated when things went “wrong”. Just go with it. Prepare. Read up. Have some good guidebooks or apps. Then let it unfold. I promise you the best memories will end up being the places and people you discover along the way.
You can book and immediately pay for the beds of the albergue of Roncesvalles on their website. Use this link: http://www.alberguederoncesvalles.com/index.php?idioma=2 as it is already set to English as language. Click on Reservations and then on the big round button to start the process. Do not use a browser with an automatic translation from Spanish to English for the Roncesvalles website. Some people have trouble completing the booking because their credit card lacks an option that is required. I see that you are from England, you shouldn't have a problem with the payment. If you plan to walk in early September I'd suggest that you book Roncesvalles. If all fails you can contact the albergue by email which is indicated on the website, they may offer you a different payment option. Best of luck and buen camino.
A lovely alternative to Orrison( which is 8 KLM from St. Jean PdePort) is to walk the Valcarlos path to the right, Valcarlos albergue (12 KLM from JPdP). The main village bar/ shop has the number combination to open it up. It is beautifully scenic and challenging, for me, the next day to Roncesvalles. (183 beds/4 bed cubicles, telephone: 948 760 000) (13 KLM) I've done this way three times, 3 years in a row. I suppose if I did the CF again, I'd go to Orrison for the bonding intro around the communal dinner.
Another handy hint is to stop in the town just before or just after John Brierley's stage ends as this is less congested. We can't book municple albergues ahead but private accommodation can be booked the previous night. I always choose a place with the communal dinners if possible, but bars are usually full of pilgrims.
Buen Camino, mi amigo....
Love
I hope that you called the albergues to cancel when you decided not to stay!I liked calling the Alberges directly because most would just hold a bed for you until 2 or 3pm with no cc info. That left me with the option of stopping anywhere if I felt tired with no charge.
I have walked along the Camino Frances five times and have never been turned away from an albergue. This may be because I usually stop walking by midday. Occasionally I walk in the late afternoon and on those days I phone ahead and reserve a bed in a private albergue. If you get to Roncevalles by opening time of 2pm you will get a bed. I have stayed there in September and July and did not reserve ahead.Please help me out here...
This will be our first Camino and one of the first things I learned was that there is no need to book alburgues you just turn up.
I have just read a thread below with some trepidation as it talks about full accommodation and no beds available. Also saying that you now need to book your beds in advance.
Is this true?
I have tried to book the alburgue in Roncessvalles but I can’t find how to pay so assume it isn’t booked.
Can someone please enlighten me on all of the above?
Many thanks
I just finished CF and booked three nights in advance as I went along. I was fed up with sleeping in a room full of rude people so I would call and book a private room which many have. It was perfect. If you can afford it, do it that way unless you want the experience of go with the flow them be prepared to find full albergue sand have to walk farther. And no, I would not do it again, ever! Way to many people on a cheap vacation.There can be bottlenecks on the Frances when finding a bed can be an issue. If you are leaving St Jean Pied de Port on a weekend, you may face trouble at Roncesvalles, as that's when most Europeans start their walks.
Roncesvalles books some beds, leaves others unreserved but still first come first served. You could try phoning them. It's run by Dutch volunteers, so English is good.
Generally though, stay relaxed about it, and be prepared with a back up plan for the occassional taxi to an albergue or hostal off the trail, just in case.
In three caminos across Spain, I've never booked a bed and always found a safe place to sleep. You can alleviate your stress by booking each day the night before, or in the morning, if it seems necessary.
Don't panic and buen camino.
Yes, of course. That’s the proper thing to do. I only had to call and cancel one time. It was a 31km day and just couldn’t go any further.I hope that you called the albergues to cancel when you decided not to stay!
Relax! Roncesvalles can be problematical though. My suggestion is to stay in Orisson on Day 1. Then you will reach Roncesvalles in good time. Other than that, avoid stage towns. And book between Sarria and SantiagoPlease help me out here...
This will be our first Camino and one of the first things I learned was that there is no need to book alburgues you just turn up.
I have just read a thread below with some trepidation as it talks about full accommodation and no beds available. Also saying that you now need to book your beds in advance.
Is this true?
I have tried to book the alburgue in Roncessvalles but I can’t find how to pay so assume it isn’t booked.
Can someone please enlighten me on all of the above?
Many thanks
I am sure not everybody in the room was rude. I hope you learned by the end of your Camino not to prejudge people. You don't know what a person's life is like until you walk in their hiking boots.I just finished CF and booked three nights in advance as I went along. I was fed up with sleeping in a room full of rude people so I would call and book a private room which many have. It was perfect. If you can afford it, do it that way unless you want the experience of go with the flow them be prepared to find full albergue sand have to walk farther. And no, I would not do it again, ever! Way to many people on a cheap vacation.
Nope, not saying everyone was rude but it only takes one or two inconsiderate people to ruin a room of 20. I don’t think I prejudged at all, it was a judgement at the moment. No problem, I am glad I learned early on to book private, I slept great every night!!!I am sure not everybody in the room was rude. I hope you learned by the end of your Camino not to prejudge people. You don't know what a person's life is like until you walk in their hiking boots.
Hah, there is a name for itSome people have trouble completing the booking because their credit card lacks an option that is required. I see that you are from England, you shouldn't have a problem with the payment.
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