Paying by visa

R

Roselyn

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances, 2016, starting August 28

• Aug 25, 2016

• #1

Hi Pilgrims, do the auberges accept payment by visa? Or are there a lot of ATMs along the path? Basically, I'm looking to not carry loads of cash, from Sahagun to Santiago. Is visa accepted?

 

Kanga

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Francés x 5, Le Puy x 2, Arles, Tours, Norte, Madrid, Via de la Plata, Portuguese, Primitivo

• Aug 25, 2016

• #2

Very few albergues would have the facilities to accept payment by credit card. Cash is king. There are ATMs along the way but sometimes it can be a day or two between. I withdraw two hundred euros and replenish as needed - taking note of where I am likely to encounter the next ATM and how much I am likely to be spending.

 

grayland

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Yes

• Aug 25, 2016

• #3

There are a number of very good threads on the forum on ATM use.
Lots of excellent tips and instructions.

Credit cards have very little use on the actual Camino.

 

SYates

Camino Fossil AD 1999, now living in Santiago de C

Time of past OR future Camino

First: Camino Francés 1999
...
Last: Santiago - Muxia 2019

Now: http://egeria.house/

• Aug 25, 2016

• #4

Cash only at albergues and small shops as a rule of thumb, but there are enough ATMs on the way. Buen Camino, SY

 

Peter Fransiscus

Be a Rainbow in someone else's cloud.

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All that we are is the result of what we have thought.

• Aug 25, 2016

• #5

As stated, cash is normal done on the Camino. When you withdraw money take 200/300€ that's more than enough to have with you.
Wish you a wonderful journey and a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

Buz Radican

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Camino Frances May / Jun 2015
Camino Frances Oct / Nov 2016
Camino Frances May-Jun 2018
CF 2020?

• Aug 25, 2016

• #6

Roselyn said:

Hi Pilgrims, do the auberges accept payment by visa? Or are there a lot of ATMs along the path? Basically, I'm looking to not carry loads of cash, from Sahagun to Santiago. Is visa accepted?

Click to expand...

I walked from Roncesvalles to SdC last May June and the only two places I could not use my debit card was at a municipal albergue and one operated by a group of nuns.

 

SYates

Camino Fossil AD 1999, now living in Santiago de C

Time of past OR future Camino

First: Camino Francés 1999
...
Last: Santiago - Muxia 2019

Now: http://egeria.house/

• Aug 25, 2016

• #7

Buz Radican said:

I walked from Roncesvalles to SdC last May June and the only two places I could not use my debit card was at a municipal albergue and one operated by a group of nuns.

Click to expand...

Did you stay mostly in pensions ans hotels then? Buen Camino, SY

 

november_moon

Veteran Member

• Aug 25, 2016

• #8

I would definitely plan to pay for everything with cash. Just get money from ATMs along the way. There are some areas with very small towns/villages and you may not run across an ATM for a few days at a time, so always make sure to get more cash before you run low. My rule of thumb was to hit the ATM before I got down below 100 euro.

 

Buz Radican

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances May / Jun 2015
Camino Frances Oct / Nov 2016
Camino Frances May-Jun 2018
CF 2020?

• Aug 25, 2016

• #9

SYates said:

Did you stay mostly in pensions ans hotels then? Buen Camino, SY

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Primarily private albergues. Ones that come to mind include Tio Pepe, En El Camino, Viatoris, La Laguna, Don Quiote, Meeting Place, Camino Real.

 

MTtoCamino

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Francis SJPdP to Finnestere April(2014)

• Aug 25, 2016

• #10

I messed up & forgot to get cash a couple times both times I had enough for food or a place to sleep, the sleep part was always the winner. Within a day you will almost always find an ATM.

 

dougfitz

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Past: a few
Last: Sanabres
Next: St Olav's Way

• Aug 26, 2016

• #11

This year I found many more places that took a credit card than my previous walks. That doesn't mean that you could rely on using a card, but you might find it useful to extend the time between cash withdrawals by using a card when that option is available. My advice would still be to plan to use cash, and treat any time you can use a credit card as a bonus.

 

grayland

Veteran Member

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Yes

• Aug 26, 2016

• #12

I would also be very careful of where I used a card.

 

SYates

Camino Fossil AD 1999, now living in Santiago de C

Time of past OR future Camino

First: Camino Francés 1999
...
Last: Santiago - Muxia 2019

Now: http://egeria.house/

• Aug 26, 2016

• #13

grayland said:

I would also be very careful of where I used a card.

Click to expand...

Me too, Buen Camino, SY

 

dougfitz

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Past: a few
Last: Sanabres
Next: St Olav's Way

• Aug 26, 2016

• #14

grayland said:

I would also be very careful of where I used a card.

Click to expand...

I'm not suggesting that you forego your usual precautions when using a card, but pointing out that there are increased opportunities to use one, and by doing so, reduce the frequency of topping up your cash reserves.

 

MTtoCamino

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Francis SJPdP to Finnestere April(2014)

• Aug 26, 2016

• #15

Using plastic would be very convenient but in the few times I did, my bank account was tested 3 times in the 6 weeks walking. That was 2014 the hacking is probably even better now.

 

MeliCunn

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Hopefully.....soon! Yes! September 2016!!

• Aug 27, 2016

• #16

Hello All!
I am fairly new to this forum and not too savvy at navigating the search feature. I leave the US on September 15th for my Camino and I am ready to go! I would however like any information I can get on using debit cards along the way. Could someone please post links to this information?
Thanks!!