Is it necessary to book accommodation in advance for the Camino de Santiago?

[Merlouis]

I have read a lot and looked at a lot of YouTube. I really like to know I have somewhere to sleep each night. I have booked a few nights along the way and also in the first few days and the last few days. I know this may force me into a schedule but it seems in many instances there are few rooms available. I want to use private rooms in albergues and cheaper hotels. Is it really necessary to book far ahead or will I be able to book the day before?

 

[Former member 92300]

Only if you want to! I book SJPDP to Zubiri to get me started without worrying about how crowded it may be. After that - I do a combination of winging in and prebooking the night before or the morning of arrival. If you listen to the Camino Grapevine - you will probably hear about places ahead that have experienced a bottleneck of pilgrims causing bed shortages and you can reserve those towns. But - if you are in a big wave of hikers, you can always walk a shorter or longer day and stop in a non "stage" town to get away from the crowds.

 

[trecile]

It depends a bit on what month you are walking, how particular about where you sleep, and your budget. IMO it's best not to book everything ahead. You'll usually be fine booking a day or two ahead.

If you book the whole way, and you have to change a day or two then you have a whole domino effect, and would have a lot of reservations to cancel or rearrange. Plus, if it's your first Camino you probably don't really know yet how far you can/want to walk each day.

Make sure that any reservations that you make are cancellable, and make note of the last day that you can cancel without penalty.

 

[Grousedoctor]

I want to use private rooms in albergues and cheaper hotels.

All kinds of good reasons on both sides of the “booking ahead” issue. For me, it comes down to personal comfort and whether or not I’m traveling alone. When traveling solo, I can adapt to many types of sleeping accommodations for one night. However, when traveling with my wife, we reserve rooms ahead. I have found that both scenarios have worked fine. However, typically, there are not a great number of private rooms in an albergue. We love staying in albergues, but because we also like a private room, we therefore book those in advance. In the past, particularly during a busy time on the CF, people I’ve met have had no problem booking a bed a night or two in advance or getting a bed if they arrived at their destination early in the afternoon. However, reserving a private room might be more difficult particularly if you are already finding low availability now as you search accommodations. Therefore, if you are interested in staying in private rooms, I’d recommend that you book ahead. Another positive with having a booking is that you don’t have to worry about your arrival time. Go at your pace, enjoy The Way, and know that your room is waiting for you at the end of your walk. If you haven’t already done so, check out Gronze.com for accommodations. Many places have a direct link to Booking.com or they provide contact information for you to email them directly. Most places seem very good about responding to direct inquiries. Buen Camino!

 

[Jodean]

This is Camino #5 for me and I know how far I want to walk each day. Booking ahead allows me to look at all of my choices and pick out the ones that suit me the best. Do they have a communal dinner, do they have single beds or beds with pods/curtains, does it have a good feeling about it (did I stay there the last time and enjoy it or not) Walking with a friend this time, so the occasional dbl room ended up being cheaper than 2 single beds, so reserving those made sense too.

Am trying to stay in some different towns, some days not walking as far so that sightseeing can be done.
I booked ahead last spring and had a # of people copy my list. It was nice to walk with zero stress. As a slow walker, it is great to be able to take my time.
After arrival, people were huddled around tables trying to figure out where to go the next night. Seemed they spent hours doing this, the same hours I spent before leaving, except I did my research at home on my PC, with a cup of tea and in my nightgown. This way I got to enjoy my afternoons and evenings while on the Camino.
Most of my bookings are done by email, but have a few in the larger cities done with booking dot com. Same as last year. Had 2 colds last year, so simply moved ahead by bus or taxi rather than walk that day.

Every one has their own comfort level and this is mine.

 

[Former member 92300]

However, reserving a private room might be more difficult particularly if you are already finding low availability now as you search accommodations. Therefore, if you are interested in staying in private rooms, I’d recommend that you book ahead.

This certainly varies depending on where you are and time of year - but I found when there was a bed shortage, I could usually find a private room. And both years I walked were post COVID when more people were looking for private rooms. I think being flexible is key - most of the time you will get a private as desired, but be willing to stay in an occasional albergue or walk to another town if there are no privates where you want to stay.

After arrival, people were huddled around tables trying to figure out where to go the next night. Seemed they spent hours doing this, the same hours I spent before leaving, except I did my research at home on my PC, with a cup of tea and in my nightgown. This way I got to enjoy my afternoons and evenings while on the Camino.
Most of my bookings are done by email, but have a few in the larger cities done with booking dot com. Same as last year. Had 2 colds last year, so simply moved ahead by bus or taxi rather than walk that day.

When I booked ahead it rarely took me more than a couple minutes of time. I rested, relaxed, then thought about how far I want to walk and simply booked. There WERE people huddling and discussing where to stay and such as you describe - but often when it took more than a few minutes it was because people had found friends and were attempting to book together. I walked on the outer circle of my "camino family". I weaved in and out of the group all across Spain. I would take a few minutes to book a room for myself and they would spend a long time trying to agree on where to stay and calling around looking for a place that could accommodate a large group. Sometimes for as many as 8-15 people. They weren't looking for private rooms - they were looking for the same albergue for everyone in the group.

Anyhow - I do agree there are positives and negatives either way! Another option is to book up to 2-3 days in advance. Less stress if you are worried about finding accommodations but still adds in some flexibility.

 

[Jeanne from Washington]

This is Camino #5 for me and I know how far I want to walk each day. Booking ahead allows me to look at all of my choices and pick out the ones that suit me the best. Do they have a communal dinner, do they have single beds or beds with pods/curtains, does it have a good feeling about it (did I stay there the last time and enjoy it or not) Walking with a friend this time, so the occasional dbl room ended up being cheaper than 2 single beds, so reserving those made sense too.

Am trying to stay in some different towns, some days not walking as far so that sightseeing can be done.
I booked ahead last spring and had a # of people copy my list. It was nice to walk with zero stress. As a slow walker, it is great to be able to take my time.
After arrival, people were huddled around tables trying to figure out where to go the next night. Seemed they spent hours doing this, the same hours I spent before leaving, except I did my research at home on my PC, with a cup of tea and in my nightgown. This way I got to enjoy my afternoons and evenings while on the Camino.
Most of my bookings are done by email, but have a few in the larger cities done with booking dot com. Same as last year. Had 2 colds last year, so simply moved ahead by bus or taxi rather than walk that day.

Every one has their own comfort level and this is mine.

Would you be willing to share your list? I'm just starting to book rooms for this Spring.

 

[lt56ny]

It depends a bit on what month you are walking, how particular about where you sleep, and your budget.

Very key point that many new pilgrims forget to include.

I have read the other comments. I do not pre-plan anything except for 3 things when I walk. One is knowing what time a bar will be open and if I can get coffee the next morning. One less traveled caminos this can be an issue. The second is to check sometimes two days before the food situation during the day and if I need to bring food for dinner as there may not be a tienda or a bar/restaurant in the place I am staying. Third, I will check the distances and (since I walk later in the year) what albergues are open and call to double check. I absolutely do not want to walk 30+ kilometer days and being retired I have the luxury of time so I have no problem walking 10 or 15k two days in row not because I am tired but because I want to avoid long days. But to each his own and I think only by walking and gaining experience will you learn what is best for you.

 

[Fr Scott]

I have read a lot and looked at a lot of YouTube. I really like to know I have somewhere to sleep each night. I have booked a few nights along the way and also in the first few days and the last few days. I know this may force me into a schedule but it seems in many instances there are few rooms available. I want to use private rooms in albergues and cheaper hotels. Is it really necessary to book far ahead or will I be able to book the day before?

This is always a tough question. Here is the video on YouTube that I made if you’re interested.

 

[Jodean]

Jeanne - This is where I slept last year and some of them made the list for this year too.

 

[Jeanne from Washington]

Jeanne - This is where I slept last year and some of them made the list for this year too.

Thanks!

 

[Charles Ross]

Jeanne - This is where I slept last year and some of them made the list for this year too.

I keyed on your short video 'where i slept last year' and was treated to a series of pictures of bunk beds that were remarkably similar! I'm not sure how useful this is without accompanying information re: where, why, how much, how it was, etc.

 

[Jodean]

Charles, On the description, I listed all of the places in order of their appearance in the video.
It was my first time to make anything like this. It was just to give people an idea of what sleeping arrangements are like.
If you watch the day to day videos 1-40, these give more information about the various places. Perhaps that will be more useful to you?
Next Camino, it will be better. I promise!

 

[trecile]

I keyed on your short video 'where i slept last year' and was treated to a series of pictures of bunk beds that were remarkably similar! I'm not sure how useful this is without accompanying information re: where, why, how much, how it was, etc.

If you view it on YouTube you can see all the names and locations in the description.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

It depends a bit on what month you are walking, how particular about where you sleep, and your budget. IMO it's best not to book everything ahead. You'll usually be fine booking a day or two ahead.

If you book the whole way, and you have to change a day or two then you have a whole domino effect, and would have a lot of reservations to cancel or rearrange. Plus, if it's your first Camino you probably don't really know yet how far you can/want to walk each day.

Make sure that any reservations that you make are cancellable, and make note of the last day that you can cancel without penalty.

This is all true, but not planning and securing lodgings ahead of time in busy seasons rarely works well unless you are walking alone. I've walked Caminos with 1, 2 and 3 additional family or friends and it doesn't work well.

You are definitely right about the domino effect. I experienced that when I had to cancel all reservations for four of us when the pandemic hit...thank goodness for booking.com when I had to cancel 25+ lodgings!

 

[Jeanne from Washington]

Jodean,
I just watched some of your vlogs and day 4 started to look so very familiar. I had stayed in the same last two towns as you did. The day you walked through Los Arcos I stopped the video and called my husband to watch. I told him the day looked exactly like my walk.

Then you went to the same bakery in Los Arcos. I remember it well since this was my last day of walking the Camino. I started to have chills and fever that day. I checked into a pensione that Tuesday. On Friday I tested positive for covid.

I am resuming my walk in March. I just thought it was so neat to see your vlog and wonder if we met in Spain.

Thanks for your vlogs. I am enjoying watching them.

Charles, On the description, I listed all of the places in order of their appearance in the video.
It was my first time to make anything like this. It was just to give people an idea of what sleeping arrangements are like.
If you watch the day to day videos 1-40, these give more information about the various places. Perhaps that will be more useful to you?
Next Camino, it will be better. I promise!

 

[Jeanne from Washington]

Jodean,
I just watched some of your vlogs and day 4 started to look so very familiar. I had stayed in the same last two towns as you did. The day you walked through Los Arcos I stopped the video and called my husband to watch. I told him the day looked exactly like my walk.

Then you went to the same bakery in Los Arcos. I remember it well since this was my last day of walking the Camino. I started to have chills and fever that day. I checked into a pensione that Tuesday. On Friday I tested positive for covid.

I am resuming my walk in March. I just thought it was so neat to see your vlog and wonder if we met in Spain.

Thanks for your vlogs. I am enjoying watching them.

I'm not sure it was clear in my post. We were in Los Arcos on the exact same day in April. Lol

 

[David Tallan]

In general, I'd say that if you want to sleep in private rooms in a hotel, hostal, pension, casa rural or private albergue, but aren't to fussy about which one in the town or village, booking a day ahead should be fine. You may not need to book at all. On the other hand, if you want to sleep in a particular one, because you've read great things about it, you may need to book longer ahead. Others may have also read those great things. Think of all of the stories you may have read about Refuge Orrisson and people booking even dorm beds there months ahead.

 

[Trekker One]

Other than booking airport hotels or a place in Santiago, my wife and I never book ahead ever. We don't like to be locked into a particular stop each night as often we choose to stop earlier if something strikes our fancy or we carry on because where we had planned to stop doesn't look so hot or we are enjoying the company of who we might be walking with. We do get on the trail no later than 6:30 AM most days, so we are typically done by 2:00 PM or 3 PM at the latest which helps to secure a room.
For us it is part of the adventure. We have never slept outside in six Camino's, but if we have to at some point, not the end of the world, just another adventure.
Life can be very predicable at home, we love making out Camino's not to be.

 

[Charles Ross]

Other than booking airport hotels or a place in Santiago, my wife and I never book ahead ever. We don't like to be locked into a particular stop each night as often we choose to stop earlier if something strikes our fancy or we carry on because where we had planned to stop doesn't look so hot or we enjoying the company of who we might be walking with. We do get on the trail no later than 6:30 AM most days, so we are typically done by 2:00 PM or 3 PM at the latest which helps to secure a room.
For us it is part of the adventure. We have never slept outside in six Camino's, but if we have to at some point, not the end of the world, just another adventure.
Life can be very predicable at home, we love making out Camino's not to be.

People 'vacation' in Europe but they 'escape' to the Camino. Not quite knowing where I'll be day-to-day or when I'll be there is part of that escape.