My first pilgrim walk

K

Kiwi88

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Doing my first Camino end of April starting from st Jean

• Feb 22, 2016

• #1

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

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

A few and hopefully lots more.

• Feb 22, 2016

• #2

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

Nunca se camina solo

Donating Member

• Feb 22, 2016

• #3

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

Crazy Enough To Try It Again!

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances: SJPDP to Finisterre & Muxia 9/15 (MTB) - Norte: Bayonne to Muxia & Finisterre 9/18 (MTB)

• Feb 22, 2016

• #4

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

 

BrienC

Author of Camino Child

Time of past OR future Camino

Past: Francés, VDLP, Norte
2022: Portuguese

• Feb 22, 2016

• #5

NualaOC said:

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.

Click to expand...

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