Hi my names Simon, how do I get my bike back home, to the UK?

[BurtyActual]

Or should I just walk the Camino,( I am on budget)

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Yes

 

[David]

Hi Simon, I am UK too. I go by ferry to Santander ... they take bikes ... cabins are expensive but the salons with the overnight 'sleeper' seats (purgatory!) are carpeted so I just sleep on the floor, is only one night.
Spanish trains allow bikes so not too difficult to get it there and back .... but ...

Doing Camino on a bike is accidentally super-fast so you never really get to smell the flowers .. also, at walking pace pilgrims form bonds but on a bike you miss all that as any you meet one evening you will never see again.

So I would say walk .. from Santander or Bilbao (get a ferry that arrives in the morning) you can get a coach to Pamplona or anywhere really - they are comfortable and cheap.

On a budget? Walk for certain! Carry food with you .. sausage, cheese, bread, tomato paste - great nutritious food super cheap whenever you want it at a fraction of the cost of cafes and you can add items daily; tomatoes, yoghurt, etc (carry a spoon and a corkscrew with you!)
I also carry a small amount of olive oil, sea salt, and ground black pepper (I grind my pepper fresh at home before I go as ready ground is horrid) .. and a 500gms packet of pasta. In any refugio with a kitchen I can make a simple nutritious meal.
I also have a pilgrim meal at set price when I want good company or a change.

Mind you, I am not a 'foodie', a food fetishist, I only eat to not be hungry, so am happy to have the same meal day after day.

More budget - if you are a coffee drinker give it up before you go, then you won't need to keep stopping at cafes to get your hit - saves huge amounts over a few weeks.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@David, you've given many great ideas to help reduce the costs of going on pilgrimage...but no cafe con leche?!

 

[Coverbid]

Or should I just walk the Camino,( I am on budget)

Hi,
I walked from SJPP to Burgos and then rented a bike from the Burgos Bike Shop and peddled into Santiago. Kind of the best of both. And when i got to Santiago I brought the bike to the post office and they sent the bike back to the store - no charge. Walking is a more personal experience for sure. Thanks

 

[1967RT]

We've used Mail Boxes Etc. (Rúa de Santiago de Guayaquil, 5, 15702 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain) for our last two Caminos. We did not ship bikes but they have plenty experience shipping bikes as we've seen them boxing them up both times. Good luck and have a great Camino.
-Steve