Last Minute VDLP with no planning, where credencial, which train station to arrive?

[Damien Reynolds]

OK so I decided like earlier last week to walk the VDLP with no planning. I leave from California in literally 10 days (3/15). But I need to know the best way to get a credencial there (usually Ivar sends me one, but I am not sure I'll have enough time to get it.) Where in Seville, should i acquire a credential, preferably easy and convenient? And i'll take the train from Madrid, the high speed ones are fun! which station should I arrive in Seville? After that i can pretty much figure out where to get poles/knife/ where to stay. Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[Bradypus]

You can get credencials from the diocesan bookshop, Triana Backpackers or the Hotel Simon. On my last VdlP I got mine from Hotel Simon. The main railway station is Santa Justa. Not far from the town centre.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

You can get credencials from the diocesan bookshop, Triana Backpackers or the Hotel Simon. On my last VdlP I got mine from Hotel Simon. The main railway station is Santa Justa. Not far from the town centre.

Perfect response! Ok, on to RENFE now to book the train! Should I just stay at Hotel Simon and kill 2 birds with one stone?

 

[Bradypus]

Perfect response! Ok, on to RENFE now to book the train! Should I just stay at Hotel Simon and kill 2 birds with one stone?

I didn't stay there so I can't say. I just bought my credencial at reception.

 

[Stivandrer]

Always go to this, when UR lost :

Rome2rio

Discover how to get anywhere by searching plane, train, bus, car and ferry routes

www.rome2rio.com

 

[linkster]

@Damien Reynolds When we took the train from Madrid to Seville a few years ago ... it made a stop in Cordoba. It look like it is direct now, but have you considered spending a night in Cordoba on the way to Seville? Maybe check out the Mezquita.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

@Damien Reynolds When we took the train from Madrid to Seville a few years ago ... it made a stop in Cordoba. It look like it is direct now, but have you considered spending a night in Cordoba on the way to Seville? Maybe check out the Mezquita.

Frankly I'm kind of freaked out about my lack of planning and just made efforts to get to my planned starting point! Yah its direct, and like only 2 hours 30 minutes, so that should give me time to figure out the rest once I get to Seville. I will however probably book accommodation there in Seville before hand. Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe next time.

 

[peregrina2000]

OK so I decided like earlier last week to walk the VDLP with no planning. I leave from California in literally 10 days (3/15). But I need to know the best way to get a credencial there (usually Ivar sends me one, but I am not sure I'll have enough time to get it.) Where in Seville, should i acquire a credential, preferably easy and convenient? And i'll take the train from Madrid, the high speed ones are fun! which station should I arrive in Seville? After that i can pretty much figure out where to get poles/knife/ where to stay. Any suggestions appreciated!

If you want to stay in an albergue-like place, the Triana Backpackers Hostel is an albergue juvenil and very close to or actually on the camino across the river in the suburb of Triana. The camino leaves from in front of the cathedral, crosses the river into Triana and goes along the river for a while.

I haven't stayed there, but I don't ever stay in youth hostels in big cities, since in my limited experience the exuberance of the partying youth doesn’t allow for too much sleep.

I have stayed in Hotel Simón, twice in fact. It's fine, but seems to be a little pricier and a little fancier than it was when I was there years ago. Those two places are both popular with people walking the Vdlp, which isprobably why they both have credenciales available, so I´d stay in one of them if you are hoping to meet others.

Such an adventure, wishing you a buen camino on the Vdlp, Laurie

 

[Bradypus]

Frankly I'm kind of freaked out about my lack of planning and just made efforts to get to my planned starting point!

I wouldn't worry too much about that. The last time I walked the VdlP I made the decision to walk it on a wet afternoon and I was on the ground in Seville three days later. It took less than an hour to buy travel insurance, book ground transport to the airport, a flight to Spain, a train from Malaga to Seville, and my first night's room in Seville. Plus a meeting for lunch with friends in Malaga on the way. Keep it simple and it can be very quick and easy.

 

[OzAnnie]

Should I just stay at Hotel Simon and kill 2 birds with one stone?

Hotel Simon is just down from the cathedral (a couple of minutes !!). Very central to everything so you’ll be well placed from arrival.

 

[Lindsay53]

I admire your spontaneity Damien! I am starting the VDLP on 14 April and am still working through my pre-departure to do list. Buen Camino!

 

[nycwalking]

OK so I decided like earlier last week to walk the VDLP with no planning. I leave from California in literally 10 days (3/15). But I need to know the best way to get a credencial there (usually Ivar sends me one, but I am not sure I'll have enough time to get it.) Where in Seville, should i acquire a credential, preferably easy and convenient? And i'll take the train from Madrid, the high speed ones are fun! which station should I arrive in Seville? After that i can pretty much figure out where to get poles/knife/ where to stay. Any suggestions appreciated!

Gosh, I know it’s been cold, rainy, with landslides on PCH, cliffs collapsed at Black’s Beach, 45 feet of snow in Mammoth, and more but to dash off to Spain?

Yes!

Wish I could dash off.

Buen camino.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Gosh, I know it’s been cold, rainy, with landslides on PCH, cliffs collapsed at Black’s Beach, 45 feet of snow in Mammoth, and more but to dash off to Spain?

Yes!

Wish I could dash off.

Buen camino.

That doesn't sound like NYC. That sounds like the west coast is the best coast!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I admire your spontaneity Damien! I am starting the VDLP on 14 April and am still working through my pre-departure to do list. Buen Camino!

Me too!

 

[nycwalking]

That doesn't sound like NYC. That sounds like the west coast is the best coast!

When I first walked camino in 2001 I was living in NYC, reason for forum moniker. I love NYC.

However, I was raised in SoCal, and now live here again caring for my nonagenarian divorced dynamic duo parents.

Buen camino.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

When I first walked camino in 2001 I was living in NYC, reason for forum moniker. I love NYC.

However, I was raised in SoCal, and now live here again caring for my nonagenarian divorced dynamic duo parents.

Buen camino.

I was raised in Culver City.

 

[nycwalking]

I was raised in Culver City.

No way!

I attended Culver City Jr. High 7-9. Then Culver High for tenth grade.

When I was in 8TH grade I volunteered at El Rincón Elementary as a teacher’s aide.

I am old enough to have watched the Fox Hills Mall going up. I remember when CCPD’s police cars were green and white like CCJH’s school colors.

Small world.

Buen camino.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

No way!

I attended Culver City Jr. High 7-9. Then Culver High for tenth grade.

When I was in 8TH grade I volunteered at El Rincón Elementary as a teacher’s aide.

I am old enough to have watched the Fox Hills Mall going up. I remember when CCPD’s police cars were green and white like CCJH’s school colors.

Small world.

Buen camino.

OMG. Totally small world. Me... Linwood Howe, Middle school, high school '92. I used to hang out at fox hills on friday nights and then the ice rink.

 

[nycwalking]

OMG. Totally small world. Me... Linwood Howe, Middle school, high school '92. I used to hang out at fox hills on friday nights and then the ice rink.

I miss the ice rink so much. So many memories.

The sign is still there but it’s an auto parts place now.

I’ve got about 12 years on you. Graduated from Venice High 80’. I moved out of CC school district right before 11TH grade.

Life is funny.

Wow!

Truly, truly have a buen camino!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Truly, truly have a buen camino!

Always, thank you.

 

[LTfit]

If you want to stay in an albergue-like place, the Triana Backpackers Hostel is an albergue juvenil and very close to or actually on the camino across the river in the suburb of Triana. The camino leaves from in front of the cathedral, crosses the river into Triana and goes along the river for a while.

I haven't stayed there, but I don't ever stay in youth hostels in big cities, since in my limited experience the exuberance of the partying youth doesn’t allow for too much sleep.

I have stayed in Hotel Simón, twice in fact. It's fine, but seems to be a little pricier and a little fancier than it was when I was there years ago. Those two places are both popular with people walking the Vdlp, which isprobably why they both have credenciales available, so I´d stay in one of them if you are hoping to meet others.

Such an adventure, wishing you a buen camino on the Vdlp, Laurie

Triana Backpackers is actually not an albergue juvenil Laurie, unless of course it has changed its status since the last two times I stayed there. It has credentials, it's in a nice building, has a kitchen to use and the rooms I slept in had two bunk beds so is not a massive place. They also offer a self-serve breakfast which you can make at any hour, nice for pilgrims.

Triana area has lots of bars and restaurants and right off the Camino.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

OK so I decided like earlier last week to walk the VDLP with no planning. I leave from California in literally 10 days (3/15). But I need to know the best way to get a credencial there (usually Ivar sends me one, but I am not sure I'll have enough time to get it.) Where in Seville, should i acquire a credential, preferably easy and convenient? And i'll take the train from Madrid, the high speed ones are fun! which station should I arrive in Seville? After that i can pretty much figure out where to get poles/knife/ where to stay. Any suggestions appreciated!

I’ve stayed with Triana Backpackers twice, and liked the atmosphere. They have a nice roof terrace to hang out in the evening - and credenciales of course. Also they have a few twin-bed rooms which you can book for yourself or share. There is, (or was) an office of the Amigos de Vdlp close by in Triana.

 

[peregrina2000]

Triana Backpackers is actually not an albergue juvenil Laurie,

Sorry, bad choice of words if “albergue juvenil” refers only to those places that are limited to young people. I would call it a “youth hostel” in English, even though there is no limit on age. But in any case, what I meant to say is that it’s not a hostAl, but a hostEl, dorm rooms not private rooms. I know several who have stayed there when the college spring break atmosphere meant very little sleeping. That’s just the luck of the draw, I know. No disparagement of Triana’s was intended!

 

[Haputo]

OK so I decided like earlier last week to walk the VDLP with no planning. I leave from California in literally 10 days (3/15). But I need to know the best way to get a credencial there (usually Ivar sends me one, but I am not sure I'll have enough time to get it.) Where in Seville, should i acquire a credential, preferably easy and convenient? And i'll take the train from Madrid, the high speed ones are fun! which station should I arrive in Seville? After that i can pretty much figure out where to get poles/knife/ where to stay. Any suggestions appreciated!

I stayed at Triana Backpackers and bought my credential from them.

 

[LTfit]

Maybe those of us who have stayed in Triana on multiple occasions (for me in July and February) were just lucky. I'd chance it again.

 

[Xali1970]

Perfect response! Ok, on to RENFE now to book the train! Should I just stay at Hotel Simon and kill 2 birds with one stone?

Hotel Simon is a beautiful place, quaint furnished with antique furniture.
Breakfast is OK, nothing to write home about.
Location is superb. Not exactly budget accommodation but worth if affordable to yoi

 

[Jo Jo]

Walk slow and we might see you on the way. Same itinerary, but two days later. Look for a really tall guy with long hair covered head-to-toe against the sun trying to keep up with his very short wife. That will be us.
Ultreia.

 

[JR9162]

Triana backpackers. Nice restaurants on their side of the river / bridge. Credential there or at the Friends of the Camino office up the street on your way to Italica. You can electronically register your start on the VldP at that office if you wish.

 

[Rita Flower]

Sorry, bad choice of words if “albergue juvenil” refers only to those places that are limited to young people. I would call it a “youth hostel” in English, even though there is no limit on age.

Yes very much a youth hostel atmosphere last September. Lots of happy energy and some lovely young people during my two nights - but was very noisy with one dorm mate packing her stuff up at 2 am. 😂😂😂
Luckily I was at the start of my VDLP and feeling tolerant. Next time I would pay a bit more and stay at Hotel Simon.
I stayed there because I thought I would meet other pilgrims but there was only one other, who left the day before me.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Ok, just checked Google Maps. Hotel Simon is only 800 meters from Decathlon! Easy Peasy for poles! I'll just have travelled for like 20+ hours so I figure spending $60 for a room is worth it (reserved). Again, you are all so helpful.

 

[JennyH94]

Hi Damien - may all the Forces be with you on the Plata! If you could check in here with all your Forum mates from time to time that would be fantastic.
I walked the Plata and the Sanabres until Ourense last year (started from Seville on 19 April) and fell totally in love with it - there’s something indescribable about those lesser-travelled paths but with enough pilgrims around that make it totally wonderful.
Buen Camino from Oz -
Jenny

 

[alexwalker]

Ok, just checked Google Maps. Hotel Simon is only 800 meters from Decathlon! Easy Peasy for poles! I'll just have travelled for like 20+ hours so I figure spending $60 for a room is worth it (reserved). Again, you are all so helpful.

A wise decision, IMHO. You will need a quiet restful night to fight the jetlag, excitement, etc.. The VdlP is a great walk.

Take a rest day in Merida: Lots of old stuff there. It used to be a retirement town for Roman legioneers after years of service. Some amazing remains there:

roman theatre merida - Google Search

Mérida, Spain - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[domigee]

I didn't stay there so I can't say. I just bought my credencial at reception.

Perfect response! Ok, on to RENFE now to book the train! Should I just stay at Hotel Simon and kill 2 birds with one stone?

I stayed at Triana hostal and although I realise lots of people don’t like it, it was just lovely for us (beg. of June). No probs.

 

[lt56ny]

A few years ago I walked the camino and went to the peregrino office in Sevilla.

Inicio - Asoc. Amigos del Camino de Santiago

Viaplata - Asociación Amigos del Camino de Santiago - Sevilla

www.viaplata.org

They had credentials there. I already had one. They really didn't have much information regarding albergues open/closed (it was October 2021 so things were just emerging from the pandemic). They were really nice but like I said there wasn't any information that I could take with me that would have been helpful.

 

[Damien Reynolds]

A few years ago I walked the camino and went to the peregrino office in Sevilla.

Inicio - Asoc. Amigos del Camino de Santiago

Viaplata - Asociación Amigos del Camino de Santiago - Sevilla

www.viaplata.org

They had credentials there. I already had one. They really didn't have much information regarding albergues open/closed (it was October 2021 so things were just emerging from the pandemic). They were really nice but like I said there wasn't any information that I could take with me that would have been helpful.

Ok, so, like, i posted my questions way up above, and then this nice person from near me said privately they have an extra one and that they will send it to me. Some people ask about the camino spirit. well, I am thankful and will pay the effort forward.

 

[geraldkelly]

You can find details of where everything is in Seville here https://www.viadelaplataguide.net/guide/sevilla---seville

The planning you'll need to do is for the longer stages with no food or water available. Details of this are in the guide https://www.viadelaplataguide.net/

Buen Camino!

 

[Anton Muhlbock]

The Tirana is great you will have a great time to walk the VDLP good luck
Buen Camino

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Always go to this, when UR lost :

Rome2rio

Discover how to get anywhere by searching plane, train, bus, car and ferry routes

www.rome2rio.com

Ok, I feel sort of guilty about this... but when I look at Rome to Rio i just take note of their suggestions and then go to carriers directly... sometimes more options listed and less expensive. I know, bad bad Damien.

 

[C clearly]

I feel sort of guilty about this

No need to feel guilty. You had to navigate advertisements on their site.

 

[isawtman]

If I ever went to Seville I would want to see "The Setas"
which are these big mushroom like wooden structures that
are really stunning. https://setasdesevilla.com/en/home

 

[Damien Reynolds]

I received a credential frorm a friend on this forurm today in the mail. I will cherish it.