Getting the first stamp & question about trains

[titania]

I'm starting my pilgimage in a couple of weeks from Ponferrada. I'll arrive there early in the morning (around 7 am) by train, and start walking right away. Is it possible to get my pilgrim's passport stamped in Ponferrada even though I'm not staying in the albergue? Can I visit the albergue in the morning and ask for a stamp? I really would like to get one from Ponferrada, as it is my starting place.

Another question about Spanish trains: I'll take the night train from Barcelona to Ponferrada, leaving on Sunday evening. Are the trains usually very full? Should I buy the ticket in advance, or will it be okay to buy it at the station a couple of hours before the departure? I've visited the Renfe website, and I could buy a regular ticket from there, but I'm not sure if it 's possible to book a bed - and I'd really like to have a place to sleep on the train because the next day is going to be hard work!

 

[sillydoll]

The trains may not be full but if you can book a bed it will settle your nerves a bit! We booked a bed when we took a hotel-tren from Santiago to Madrid. There were four of us in the cabin and we were given sheets, pillows and a small blanket.
You can get stamps anywhere in Ponferrada that is open at that time of the morning - not necessarily at the albergue - in cafe-bars, church, wherever is open and has a stamp.
Have a great walk.

 

[Chev.Jerry]

We started in Ponferrada too, and got our first stamp at the Templar Castle and we had only walked from the bus station.

Have a great Camino.

Jerry

 

[Peter Robins]

the train's unlikely to be full (increasingly nowadays people fly rather than use overnight trains), but if you want to be sure of a bed, you're best off booking. You can book on the RENFE site; prices depend on number of people/beds in cabin.