How much money should I carry?

[erkovar]

I will be walking my first camino, the Portuguese Central Way this mid-october. So for about 12-13 days on the trail, how much money should I carry? I thought between 300-500 Euros as towns w/ ATM's may be far in between?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

No more than 300E at a time, and plan replenishment at ATMs along the way. Spread it between pockets, money belt, and pack.

 

[erkovar]

No more than 300E a day, and plan replenishment at ATMs along the way. Spread it between pockets, money belt, and pack.

Thank you!

 

[alexwalker]

300 a week!

 

[KinkyOne]

No more than 300E a day, and plan replenishment at ATMs along the way. Spread it between pockets, money belt, and pack.

300€ a day???
Surely a typo.

 

[erkovar]

Are your hostel / hotel cost incl. in the hostel /hotel? I may prebook some before I leave so its all prepaid.

 

[trecile]

Are your hostel / hotel cost incl. in the hostel /hotel? I may prebook some before I leave so its all prepaid.

I wouldn't recommend prebooking very far ahead. You don't know yet how far you'll want to walk every day, or who you'll want to walk with. You may (probably will) meet people that you enjoy being with, and they probably won't be doing your same pre-planned stages. Stay flexible.

 

[erkovar]

I wouldn't recommend prebooking very far ahead. You don't know yet how far you'll want to walk every day, or who you'll want to walk with. You may (probably will) meet people that you enjoy being with, and they probably won't be doing your same pre-planned stages. Stay flexible.

This is a great idea, I do leave Santiago Nov. 2 and if I start around Oct 19 with a day trip to Braga, I think that will only give me 1 entire day in Santiago if I walk in Oct 31. Such tough decisions on how flexible to be?

I lived in Germany for 1.5 years and they've indoctrinated my mind to become such a planner when I used to be a quasi leaf that once blew in the wind - haha!

 

[David Tallan]

300€ a day???
Surely a typo.

I think what was meant is do not carry more than 300 euros at a time.

 

[Constantine]

This is a great idea, I do leave Santiago Nov. 2 and if I start around Oct 19 with a day trip to Braga, I think that will only give me 1 entire day in Santiago if I walk in Oct 31. Such tough decisions on how flexible to be?

I lived in Germany for 1.5 years and they've indoctrinated my mind to become such a planner when I used to be a quasi leaf that once blew in the wind - haha!

I too lived in Germany and German planning and discipline certainly have their advantages but also their disadvantages.... for example, it was used against them more than once during WWII when German regularity made certain things predictable... The best is to be somewhere in between a German and a leaf! A skeletal outline of plans but enough blanks left to leave space for opportunities that arise daily, even hourly! That's my philosophy... Greco-Germanic. hahaha!

 

[alexwalker]

The best plan is to not have a plan. Go with the (your) flow.

 

[Deleted member 43780]

200 to 300 euros at a time.
Stores along the Camino are cash driven.

Don’t keep it all in one place.

Money belt may be a good thing to have.

Also under shirt pouch for credit cards, passport, etc

 

[David Tallan]

The best plan is to not have a plan. Go with the (your) flow.

I think there is a difference between a plan and a decision. Plans are great. Spending lots of time researching and making them tends to give you lots of knowledge that will help to inform your decisions. But decisions are best made at the last possible moment. That way you have the maximum possible information on which to base them. It will include all of the information that went into your planning, but will also include things like: the weather, how you are feeling (physically, mentally, spiritually), whom you have met and what they are doing, etc. If you stick rigorously to the plan, you are ignoring all of this very valuable information that you didn't have when the plan was made. If you don't bother to plan, you likely won't have the valuable information you learned in the planning process.

Plan early and lots. But decide at the last moment.

 

[alexwalker]

I think there is a difference between a plan and a decision. Plans are great.

"Life is what happens while you are making other plans"
John Lennon

 

[dfunghi]

FWIW I am budgeting €500 total for my entire CP in April. That does not include transport to Porto or from Santiago or the cost of luggage transfer should I decide that is what I will do. It does include at least two stays in nicer places in Santiago and Barcelos. I figure at least four or five nights in €25 a night places will balance it all out. For food I expect to eat a lot of Frango (€12?) which I hope to get a second meal out of as left overs. I figure Frango for lunch and the rest at supper time and buy yummy stuff at markets (i.e ham, cheese, bread). I plan to carry no more than €150-200 at any one time and the rest will be plastic. ATM are not that hard to find anywhere any more.

I will likely not use cash for stays in accommodations unless only method accepted.

As to safety I suppose I will have to decide how and where to carry it when there but in many previous trips (not Camino) my front pocket in a money clip for the bulk and a second smaller stash in other pocket for taking out to spend in public. Never in my wallet or back pocket. I do accumulate many coins and often times this can be €20-30 in my backpack. All those €2 coins add up and in US we never use our change that way. So it builds up. Weight being an issue I expect to spend coins on daily coffee, snacks and try to prevent accumulation.

I am imaging at least a few very cheap days with dormitory accommodations and small meals. For me, this will be part of the entire experience. Clearly pilgrims come in all shapes, sizes and financial means. I know folks (personally) that spent $2K each on a guided walk and I know of (not personally) folks that spent next to nothing staying outdoors, auberge and religious dorms. You could get by on >€20 a day if you wanted I am sure.

 

[Walking Lover]

I will be walking my first camino, the Portuguese Central Way this mid-october. So for about 12-13 days on the trail, how much money should I carry? I thought between 300-500 Euros as towns w/ ATM's may be far in between?

For 3 Caminos, I have carried all the cash O will need, 13 -1500 Euros. Keep it in a money pouch pinned to my underclothes. Never an issue.

 

[dfunghi]

For 3 Caminos, I have carried all the cash O will need, 13 -1500 Euros. Keep it in a money pouch pinned to my underclothes. Never an issue.

Do I read this correct that you needed up to €1500 for a fourteen day camino?

From avatar:
CdS from Leon to Santiago, June 16, 2016 to June 30, 2016.

 

[erkovar]

FWIW I am budgeting €500 total for my entire CP in April. That does not include transport to Porto or from Santiago or the cost of luggage transfer should I decide that is what I will do. It does include at least two stays in nicer places in Santiago and Barcelos. I figure at least four or five nights in €25 a night places will balance it all out. For food I expect to eat a lot of Frango (€12?) which I hope to get a second meal out of as left overs. I figure Frango for lunch and the rest at supper time and buy yummy stuff at markets (i.e ham, cheese, bread). I plan to carry no more than €150-200 at any one time and the rest will be plastic. ATM are not that hard to find anywhere any more.

I will likely not use cash for stays in accommodations unless only method accepted.

As to safety I suppose I will have to decide how and where to carry it when there but in many previous trips (not Camino) my front pocket in a money clip for the bulk and a second smaller stash in other pocket for taking out to spend in public. Never in my wallet or back pocket. I do accumulate many coins and often times this can be €20-30 in my backpack. All those €2 coins add up and in US we never use our change that way. So it builds up. Weight being an issue I expect to spend coins on daily coffee, snacks and try to prevent accumulation.

I am imaging at least a few very cheap days with dormitory accommodations and small meals. For me, this will be part of the entire experience. Clearly pilgrims come in all shapes, sizes and financial means. I know folks (personally) that spent $2K each on a guided walk and I know of (not personally) folks that spent next to nothing staying outdoors, auberge and religious dorms. You could get by on >€20 a day if you wanted I am sure.

Thank you for your thoughts. I haven't been on the camino but I lived in Germany and traveled a bit in the bigger cities in Portugal but I'd say as an American, Europeans use cash....even in non-tourist Germany unless it was a national chain did not take credit card, only cash or a German debit card...so I assume outside of Lisbon, Porto and Santiago cash will be necessary for food, pharmacy etc. - In porto, I've been to some "hole in the wall" lunch places where the porto wine is 1.50-2.50 euros....you'll def. be able to spend those coins.

 

[erkovar]

I too lived in Germany and German planning and discipline certainly have their advantages but also their disadvantages.... for example, it was used against them more than once during WWII when German regularity made certain things predictable... The best is to be somewhere in between a German and a leaf! A skeletal outline of plans but enough blanks left to leave space for opportunities that arise daily, even hourly! That's my philosophy... Greco-Germanic. hahaha!

Right exactly, I think their mind is the greatest asset but also the weakest link which is why they are so good at autos but I digress.

I actually live best with balance but I find it difficult to not have a plan or a rough structure as some farmsteads have limited rooms and nights are already getting booked (found vegetarian animal farm near Rubiaes). And I have about 3 "lee way" days that I can burn somewhere in between and of them will be used as one day trip (or spend night) in Braga from Barcelos and then will train back to Barcelos to hike to Balugaes.

I've had trips of all sorts, quasi-structured to no preconceived notions, but for this I am doing more reasonable / leisurely mileage to enjoy Portugal so Im not hauling a** to the SDC.

 

[dfunghi]

Thank you for your thoughts. I haven't been on the camino but I lived in Germany and traveled a bit in the bigger cities in Portugal but I'd say as an American, Europeans use cash....even in non-tourist Germany unless it was a national chain did not take credit card, only cash or a German debit card...so I assume outside of Lisbon, Porto and Santiago cash will be necessary for food, pharmacy etc. - In porto, I've been to some "hole in the wall" lunch places where the porto wine is 1.50-2.50 euros....you'll def. be able to spend those coins.

Banks of the world have made large efforts to see CC be more widely accepted...... sadly.

 

[Former member 49149]

I will be walking my first camino, the Portuguese Central Way this mid-october. So for about 12-13 days on the trail, how much money should I carry? I thought between 300-500 Euros as towns w/ ATM's may be far in between?

I am so tempted to say: how much do you have? ! You have lots of great advice above. It is about 6 years since I walked the CP. Once you start, and you see the details of the stops ahead of you, you will know what to take out of the hole in the wall. I would generally have a fair amount, and never let it out of my sight. I usually put a daily amount in an accessible spot, but the rest was well hidden.Our average spend was around €25 per person for everything. So. 12 days by 25 should more or less see you ok. Buen camino, bom Camino!

 

[Walking Lover]

Do I read this correct that you needed up to €1500 for a fourteen day camino?

From avatar:
CdS from Leon to Santiago, June 16, 2016 to June 30, 2016.

I took that much but didn't spend all of it. Because I must be able to sleep, we stay in private albergues or small hotels. I generally spend no more than 35 Euros a day.

 

[erkovar]

I took that much but didn't spend all of it. Because I must be able to sleep, we stay in private albergues or small hotels. I generally spend no more than 35 Euros a day.

Do the private albergues still have private rooms? Or just dormitory style?

 

[trecile]

Do the private albergues still have private rooms? Or just dormitory style?

Some do, some don't. And private doesn't necessarily mean nicer amenities than public or parochial albergues.

 

[J F Gregory]

My wife and I are walking the Portuguese way in the spring for about 2 weeks at about 50 euros a day and will carry all cash. We will have our ATM if needed but I don't think we will.

 

[Jon Hebertson]

I will be walking my first camino, the Portuguese Central Way this mid-october. So for about 12-13 days on the trail, how much money should I carry? I thought between 300-500 Euros as towns w/ ATM's may be far in between?

Hey, congratulations on doing your first Camino. It’s so much fun

But From my experience of walking the CP I wouldn’t carry the amount your thinking of. Not because Portugal or Galicia are dangerous but 300-500€ is a lot to have on you at any one time! Regardless of wether your doing a Camino. You have a timeframe so I guess your following a guidebook or have already figured out where you want to stay?

Bom caminho,
Jon

 

[woodswoman]

300€ a day???
Surely a typo.

I think that meant carry no more than €300 at a time.!

 

[Jon Hebertson]

I think that meant carry no more than €300 at a time.!

I’ve replied to the OP but I think it’s unnecessary to have that much cash on you!

 

[Jules Montgomery]

I did that route this year and I aimed to have €200 on me. If it got below €80 l was actively looking for the next ATM.

 

[Jon Hebertson]

I did that route this year and I aimed to have €200 on me. If it got below €80 l was actively looking for the next ATM.

Hi. I’m sorry, I’m sure you have your reasons for carrying that much cash but why?

Bom Caminho

 

[Baba John]

I will be walking my first camino, the Portuguese Central Way this mid-october. So for about 12-13 days on the trail, how much money should I carry? I thought between 300-500 Euros as towns w/ ATM's may be far in between?

Take as much as you have and, what you can beg, borrow, or steal, and never stop walking.

Peace be with you.

 

[hughb]

I will be walking my first camino, the Portuguese Central Way this mid-october. So for about 12-13 days on the trail, how much money should I carry? I thought between 300-500 Euros as towns w/ ATM's may be far in between?

Virtually every village or town in Portugal has a free to use ATM and prices in Portugal are very cheap. 200€ goes a very long way

 

[Vincent Lee]

This is a long tread. To state in short with my limited experience on CdN now.
Daily expense -
Breakfast: 5 to 10 euros
Lunch/Dinner: 10 to 15 euros
Place for sleeping: 5 to 10 euros
You can calculate how much money you need in the trip.

Vincent