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Welcome to this forum, Enzo.Hi everyone, my name is Enzo, I'm from Canada. I'm new here, so not sure if I'm posting my question in the right place but I'm planning to do the Camino Frances next year, perhaps summer because i dont want to deal with mud, snow, cold weather, etc. I'm wondering if it's doable to go without reservations or would it be too busy since it's peak season?
It sounds like just the cheap hostels that are the only ones that are difficult to obtain? I want to enjoy the pilgrimage and not rush just because I'm worried about not getting a room.
... I'm planning to do the Camino Frances next year, perhaps summer because i dont want to deal with mud, snow, cold weather, etc. I'm wondering if it's doable to go without reservations or would it be too busy since it's peak season?...
... The number of Europeans who show up for the last few hundred km is staggering....
Thanks Pano. I'm surprised because I thought the albergues would be the ones that fill up first, as these are the low cost accommodations, if I understand right. I don't mind reserving ahead normally, but I'm hoping for flexibility so that if I choose or need to adjust my plans I would be able to.Welcome to this forum, Enzo.
If you seek to stay in a ROOM on your camino, you are well advised to make reservations, get a guide with the phone numbers and call ahead either the day before or in the morning of same day. Be however aware that you will burden yourself with constant planing and worry. If you "want to enjoy the pilgrimage", you would just want to have a BED for the night, which you'll find without reservations, most Albergues don't take them anyway.
On my camino in early September, I encountered "full house" only twice, so I walked on to the next albergue.
Have a buen camino.
Thanks Robo. So it sounds like you're saying that if I'm willing to pay more, I can always get a room, but the albergues are the ones I can't be assured of getting. Is that right?I'm walking right now. Staying in private accommodation.
But many I have met who were staying in Albergues are now booking ahead to get private accommodation.
Seems there are just not enough Albergue beds. ...
A few people have commented to me that the stress of trying to find a bed has spoiled their Camino.
Maybe others walking now could also comment?
Thanks Biarritzdon. You wouldn't stop early every day though, right? Because then the camino would take much longer to finish. It seems like you're saying don't go by the guidebook and stay where everyone else is stopping for the night?I'm not out there right now but plan to start late May, so take my comments with a grain of salt. I have walked the Camino in different season and never had a night I did not find a bed. It takes a little planning in that if you are walking in a conga line of pilgrims during that day stop early (between noon to 13h) and put your pack in a line at the front door of the albergue. I have good friends who started their first Camino from Pamplona on 2 may and so far they have had zero problems with accommodations.
Thanks Joe. I never thought of anything like your last suggestion before. That's a good backup plan if needed. How did you make reservations? By local phone? Was there internet access? Or did you bring your own cell and change the sim card to use your cell for this?I stayed almost exclusively in hotels, hostels, pensions, etc. I am finishing the CF tomorrow. I am in Arca at the moment. 20 km from Santiago.
The number of Europeans who show up for the last few hundred km is staggering. My CF family from SJPdP says the same.
As I got closer to Santiago I observed what was happening and started making reservations days in advance. I did not find that stressful at all. Just reassuring that I had a good place to stay.
You can always walk to one location, take a taxi or bus to another location for the night and the return to your walking point the next day. I did that a couple of times.
The sheer number of albergues with their usually large capacity of beds/bunks can well cope with demand, except during very high peaks.Thanks Pano. I'm surprised because I thought the albergues would be the ones that fill up first, as these are the low cost accommodations, if I understand right. I don't mind reserving ahead normally, but I'm hoping for flexibility so that if I choose or need to adjust my plans I would be able to.
Thanks Al. Great point about how you perceive stress differently once on the camino. I do want to go with the flow and adapt to what I feel or need once I'm there. I guess I just wanted the reassurance I wasn't completely wrong to do it that way. Thanks again.I have never not had a bed despite not booking. (Actually I have a handful of times because someone I was with wanted to). Once I was fortunate enough to have a bed in a small albergue in Castrojeriz. The main albergue was closed due to the hospitalero being ill. There was a queue of some 2 dozen of us waiting until it opened to find it only had 12 beds! Many had to pay for hostals and some walked on. This was late May. So I would suggest start without reservations, feel the flow and then decide what makes you comfotable. Yes, you are right it is best not to stress, but one's ability to feel anxious and stressed changes quite dramatically on the Camino! Good luck with whatever you decide and Buen Camino.
What is IMO? And yes, I was considering doing the same...occasionally treat myself to a private room when I feel I'd like one. Thanks again.The sheer number of albergues with their usually large capacity of beds/bunks can well cope with demand, except during very high peaks.
Most don't use these low cost accommodations primarily for economic reasons, but because they provide an important part of the unique camino communal spirit, I believe. To miss them would be missing the entire pilgrim experience IMO, although I absolutely enjoyed the luxury of the occasional private room (loved the Paradores!)
Thanks Biarritzdon. You wouldn't stop early every day though, right? Because then the camino would take much longer to finish. It seems like you're saying don't go by the guidebook and stay where everyone else is stopping for the night?
Thanks Joe. I never thought of anything like your last suggestion before. That's a good backup plan if needed. How did you make reservations? By local phone? Was there internet access? Or did you bring your own cell and change the sim card to use your cell for this?
Thanks Robo. So it sounds like you're saying that if I'm willing to pay more, I can always get a room, but the albergues are the ones I can't be assured of getting. Is that right?
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