marclynnette
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- May (2013)
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Not with anything of value in it!!Do you ever leave your bag alone in a hostel?
I have yet to see any posts about how people keep track of their funds on the Camino. Does everyone carry 3000 euros on them? I assume the hostels don't take VISA? What are the safest ways to do this? What tips do you have for people carrying all that money with them? Do you ever leave your bag alone in a hostel? Is it safe? :?:
Nope! I took 250€ on the plane to Biarritz and that lasts up to Logroño, maybe I could have walked to Burgos with the remaining cash. In Logroño I walked to the nearest ATM and withdrew another 150€. That got me to Leon, where I filled up with 200€ again. That lasts until Santiago de Compostela.I have yet to see any posts about how people keep track of their funds on the Camino. Does everyone carry 3000 euros on them?
Very few take VISA or Master. I had a Debitcard and a Mastercard with me. Never used the Mastercard. The Debitcard was just fine. It's a bit tricky, because you have to be aware that there will be surcharges to the drawn money depending on your bank.I assume the hostels don't take VISA? What are the safest ways to do this? What tips do you have for people carrying all that money with them? Do you ever leave your bag alone in a hostel? Is it safe? :?:
On the CF I tended to leave everything on my bed or in my bag when I went for a shower, for added security I would hide it under my pillow. I took the view that most pilgrims have a phone, passport and some money so don't need mine. If truth be told, a banana left in plain sight is more likely to vanish because someone is hungry waiting for supper than any material goods. If someone did steal all my stuff I can always get some more.
There are stretches where there are no ATMs available for several days of walking.
I live my whole life with this level of trust, I never lock my backdoor in case I need it as an emergency exit. At home in the UK I never carry cash, every transaction is done on my phone, if someone gives me paper money I just keep it in my wallet until I give it away. Using cash on the Camino was my biggest problem because I was not used to it. I am closer to 60 than 50 yet my kids think I am living dangerously close to technology.I do applaud your faith in mankind and fellow pilgrims but personally I would not advice future pilgrims to do the same.
First of all a Camino is no parallel universe. Bad people do bad things. Pilgrims included. But also people with bad intentions who take advantage of the moment and enter albergues to steal valuables.
Secondly , not every pilgrim is able to get some more stuff when things are stolen from them. Lots of pilgrims are on a tight budget and it would break my heart to see they have stop because of no funds.
So, yes take your valuables with you all the time. Only exception I made was once I travelled with a friend and we took care of each others belongings
I would recommend obtaining at least €100 prior to date of travel, particularly if your connections timings are short. I have arrived at airports to find the ATM's inoperable or long lines of people waiting to use the only one that is working. The money exchange kiosks are very expensive. €100 will get you onto local transit and as far as the next ATM locations.I use an ATM card.
I never carry more than €200-€300 at a time.
I don't take Euros with me from the USA. I just use the ATM at the airport when I arrive.
I use Charles Schwab so all of my fees are returned at the end of each month.
I would recommend obtaining at least €100 prior to date of travel, particularly if your connections timings are short. I have arrived at airports to find the ATM's inoperable or long lines of people waiting to use the only one that is working. The money exchange kiosks are very expensive. €100 will get you onto local transit and as far as the next ATM locations.
¿Que? I wonder where the locals get there cash from. Oh yes: Pilgrims
I have yet to see any posts about how people keep track of their funds on the Camino. Does everyone carry 3000 euros on them? I assume the hostels don't take VISA? What are the safest ways to do this? What tips do you have for people carrying all that money with them? Do you ever leave your bag alone in a hostel? Is it safe? :?:
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