No Booking?

[qwerta]

Hello!
I'm planning to do the Caminho next week starting from Valença and need some reassurance.

I've booked the first night in a hostel in Tui and, as I am planning to do a long first day up to Redondela, I booked an hostel there too so I wouldn't have to search for accommodation after arriving late in Redondela (though there's a small chance I might give up on the way and split that day into 2 - I would just lose that money).

Do you feel it is reasonable nowadays (next week!) to find accommodation *on the day* in Pontevedra, Calda de Reis, etc?

Some people say the Camino is "full" due to Jacobeo and less availability due to Covid, others say it's less people than usual.
I'm walking on my own - so I only need one bed free, but as a young woman alone there's always a small worry about safety in the back of my mind.

Thank you! Gracias! Obrigada

 

[Marbe2]

Look at the towns you might stay in and see what availability there currently is.
Check booking.com for their availability. this will give you a sense of how full things are!

 

[ivar]

I have a feeling it will be a easier to get a bed in September compared to August.

 

[C clearly]

Here is a thread that discusses whether to book for later in September. Here is another thread started by someone who is walking now but has made reservations.

If you are in Portugal now, perhaps you could make some local calls or contacts to get an idea of the immediate situation in the towns you'll pass through. Please let us know what you learn.

 

[JillGat]

I've found that making reservations the day before, as you walk, works pretty well.

 

[jungleboy]

I've found that making reservations the day before, as you walk, works pretty well.

That’s what we have done during our two Covid caminos, sometimes two days before if there aren’t many available options.

There seems to be a bit of anti-booking feeling going around the forums at the moment. Personally, while I don’t want to be locked in for days or weeks in advance, I tend to like knowing how far the next stage will be to mentally prepare for the day ahead. Plus on remote caminos like the Nascente, there aren’t many accommodation options and it’s reassuring to know that you have something arranged for that day. I don’t see this as panicking or not in true pilgrim spirit, but each to their own.

 

[camino.ninja]

Hello!
I'm planning to do the Caminho next week starting from Valença and need some reassurance.

I've booked the first night in a hostel in Tui and, as I am planning to do a long first day up to Redondela, I booked an hostel there too so I wouldn't have to search for accommodation after arriving late in Redondela (though there's a small chance I might give up on the way and split that day into 2 - I would just lose that money).

Do you feel it is reasonable nowadays (next week!) to find accommodation *on the day* in Pontevedra, Calda de Reis, etc?

Some people say the Camino is "full" due to Jacobeo and less availability due to Covid, others say it's less people than usual.
I'm walking on my own - so I only need one bed free, but as a young woman alone there's always a small worry about safety in the back of my mind.

Thank you! Gracias! Obrigada

Expect Tui to Santiago to be busy in September! Safety should be fine on that part though.

Buen camino

 

[Cleigh]

If it’s anything like the Frances is right now then book ahead. Most are booking 5 days out at least. Not sure what the Portuguese will be like but I assuming similar.

 

[simoneva]

I suggest contact some albergues now and see if they have beds available tonight. If they do then unlikely you need to book next week.

 

[qwerta]

Thank you all for your answers! I just booked a third night in Pontevedra (based on booking.com, there weren't much options already) with an option for a last-minute cancellation, which I feel is the best of both worlds and gives me peace of mind. The other couple of nights I'll look into later, as I'm walking/on the day.
I'll give feedback next week too! Buen Camino

 

[qwerta]

So, I arrived in Santiago last weekend, but I still don't have a definite answer!

I used by two previously booked reservations, and I think those were excellent ideas because I was arriving late. In the third night, whilst I was arriving at the hostel, the man at the desk complained that using Booking.com was worse for both of us - "but I still have 50min to cancel", I replied. And so I did, and itsaved 3 euros for me (plus a couple bucks for the hostel too). During my way, with 1-2 days ahead, I booked the other nights.

I never tried an albuergue municipal, which was an experience I would like to have, so that was a disadvantage of booking ahead. On the other way, it was nice to know I had a bed already arranged while walking in pourring rain!

To my (biased) knowledge, most pilgrims were booking ahead, even if in short notice. Sometimes others that didn't struggled...
So no definite answer!