My first pilgrim walk

[Kiwi88]

Hi,
So I'm doing my first Camino walk and was wondering how easy it is to get accomodation each night. I'm starting from st Jean on the 25th of April and was wondering if I have to pre book accomodation or if you can just show up at the hostels? I'm just a bit worried that I won't get a bed for the night. As I'm walking very light and won't have a sleeping bag with me to be able to rough it for a night. Any suggestions would be amazing

 

[NualaOC]

Hi @Kiwi88, welcome to the forum.

There's no need to pre-book accommodation, unless you are arriving quite late in St Jean. Just go to the pilgrim office and they will help you.

It could be cold in April, so you might want to rethink your decision not to take a sleeping bag. Although many albergues have blankets, this is not guaranteed.

Buen Camino!

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola - I wonder when you say you are not taking a sleeping bag whether you do not plan to stay in Albergues but intend to sleep in hostels or hotels? If this is the case I'd book the first two or three nights until you get a sense of the number of pilgrims walking. You can use booking.com along the Camino Frances. I've done it by just turning up and when you leave is still quite early - but you'll soon get a feel for it.

Buen Camino

John

 

[Kurt5280]

I would pre-book accommodations in SJPDP...Roncenvalles...Pamplona...and Santiago...take a chance everywhere else on the Camino.

 

[BrienC]

It could be cold in April, so you might want to rethink your decision not to take a sleeping bag. Although many albergues have blankets, this is not guaranteed.

I tend to agree with NualaOC. There are several very lightweight approaches that will keep lodging options open to you. I carry a down bag that weighs about one pound and is rated at 32degF. It was expensive, but I've taken it nearly everywhere, from Morocco to Europe to Nepal. Too, you could go with a lightweight down blanket and a silk liner. Super light option. Or, another is a REI Travel Sack. The Travel Sack is synthetic, inexpensive and fairly light at less than two pounds.

Buen Camino