Labor Day (May 1) Bottleneck?

[Laurie Sanantone]

May 1 2018, Labor Day, will be a Tuesday. Husband and I plan to fly into Madrid and bus to Pamplona on Day 1; stay overnight in Pamplona; bus to St. Jean on Day 2; and start walking on Day 3. Realizing that transportation and lodging will be crowded for the May 1 holiday, does anyone have suggestions as to how we should time our trip? Would it be smart to leave from St. Jean a day or two before May 1, or would the holiday probably not affect us? I realize there are many variables but im hoping someone might have some experience with this. Many thanks for any advice, and Buen Camino.

 

[Tia Valeria]

In our experience people may well take the week-end and Monday so giving them a 4 day break, whether pilgrims or simply holiday makers. That means that the last week-end of April may also be busy. A May 2nd arrival might give a quieter start, or else book your first nights accommodation in Pamplona and St Jean.

 

[CdnDreamer]

In 2015 May 1 was a Friday and it was very busy. I got the last bed in an albergue in Puenta La Reina but no one showed up to claim the beds until after I was asleep. People walking from SJPdP on May 1 were surprised to find Roncesvalles was full - because many Spaniards start from Roncesvalles. Since May 1 is a Tuesday next year I would expect that people would start walking on the weekend from all the major cities and if you start a couple of days behind them you should be okay. If you start from SJPdP on the weekend, you will run into the crowd that is starting from Roncesvalles that weekend. (But you can book a place to stay in advance) If you try to start Thursday you will probably meet up with a large group that is starting from Pamplona that weekend. (Again, easy to book in advance in Pamplona) I was able to find a place to stay every night - even with the surge of the May 1 weekend. Only one day I had to walk an extra 3 km to find a bed. So don't worry if you have to start around that weekend!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

In 2015 Burgos was full on the first of May.
I think that the weekends are more busy than the week day's.
Wish you a wonderful time and a Buen Camino,Peter.

 

[Saint Mike II]

May 1 2018, Labor Day, will be a Tuesday. Husband and I plan to fly into Madrid and bus to Pamplona on Day 1; stay overnight in Pamplona; bus to St. Jean on Day 2; and start walking on Day 3. Realizing that transportation and lodging will be crowded for the May 1 holiday, does anyone have suggestions as to how we should time our trip? Would it be smart to leave from St. Jean a day or two before May 1, or would the holiday probably not affect us? I realize there are many variables but im hoping someone might have some experience with this. Many thanks for any advice, and Buen Camino.

Hola Laurie - yes it is likely you will find it more than a bit crushed during this period. Its a national holiday in both France and Spain and given its a Tuesday many citizens may make it a "long weekend" [ Banks and many major shops will also be closed. ]
So recommend booking hotels and trains/buses as far in advance as possible. If you can push it back a couple of days (say getting out of St Jean on Thursday 3 May) might be a better idea. Either way you are likely to have a block of pilgrims on the road ahead of you, at least until Pamplona. I departed St Jean on May 1 this year and the weather over that April/May weekend was not condusive to happy walking (especially via Orisson). Good luck.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I was in Leon on the nights of April 30th, and May 1st, 2015 as I was planning to take my first full rest day on the Camino. We had no reservation, but found a really cute boutique hotel the first night for 50 euros. There was partying in the street below all night long, but the amazing room shutters cut out all the noise. We asked about staying the second night (May 1st) and were told the room would be 100 euros for the holiday. Needless to say, we walked over to the municipal albergue.