Starting Camino - May 20

[lauratherings]

Hi,

I'm starting my first Camino from SJPdP on May 20 and have booked a hotel for the first night and a hostel for the final two nights. I've also made inquiries to book for Refuge Orisson (I can't wait to get onto the viewing platform a glass of wine there!).

But should I book more alburges/hostels? Do I need to have these all planned or is it ok to just arrive that day or decide that day?

Thanks a mil!

Laura

 

[Waka]

The majority of pilgrims don't book ahead after they've crossed the Pyrenees although I'm not sure how many people will be on the trail in May, I went in September which is another busy time to walk and had no problem with accommodation.
There advantage of not making any forward booking is having the flexibility, you might book ahead but then find that you want to stop earlier.
My advice would be is to see how it goes, after a few days you'll get the feel of how the bed space goes. Another thing you might want to think about is not staying at the overnight stops that are in the guide books, I stayed in lots of places like little villages that most people just walk through, had some really nice places and in some cases was the only pilgrim staying there.
I hope it works for you, have a great journey.

 

[Lance Chambers]

Hi,

I'm starting my first Camino from SJPdP on May 20 and have booked a hotel for the first night and a hostel for the final two nights. I've also made inquiries to book for Refuge Orisson (I can't wait to get onto the viewing platform a glass of wine there!).

But should I book more alburges/hostels? Do I need to have these all planned or is it ok to just arrive that day or decide that day?

Thanks a mil!

Laura

Hi Laura,

Can I strongly suggest that unless you are 100% sure you're going to keep to your timetable don't book too far ahead.

I usually book 1-day ahead or 2-days if it's a small hostel (less than 30 or so beds) in a small village or if there is only 1-3 hostels in the village. I've never failed to get a bed over Aug/Sept.

Don't forget to take advantage of the service that will deliver your large pack onto your selected hostel/albergue (around 3 - 5 Euro). Not having to carry a heavy pack can really make the difference between a great day and a not so great one.

Wishing you all the best and I'm sure you'll love it.

Buen Camino

 

[Johnny mp]

hi Laura, you don't need to reservate an albergue or hotel on the camino, except maybe like you did in orrison, because it is there verry popular... when i walked last year (starting in burgos) i didn't reservate till i came in sarria, from sarria (the last 100 km) then i did make reservations because from this place it is verry bussy then, so i recomended to reservate then. maybe we see eachother on the camino, i start walking may 19, and make mi first stop near to orrison... i wish you a buen camino. regards Johnny

 

[lauratherings]

Thanks everyone! Johnny, I'll hopefully meet you enroute - I'll be hitting Roncevalles on the 22nd, but you'll probably still be ahead of me! I'll see how fast I can walk

 

[Johnny mp]

i think i will one day ahead of you, but you never know, there can everything happend on the camino, so we will see. if you see an old men stumbling around it could be me, hahaaaa

 

[maevlilu]

Hi,

I'm starting my first Camino from SJPdP on May 20 and have booked a hotel for the first night and a hostel for the final two nights. I've also made inquiries to book for Refuge Orisson (I can't wait to get onto the viewing platform a glass of wine there!).

But should I book more alburges/hostels? Do I need to have these all planned or is it ok to just arrive that day or decide that day?

Thanks a mil!

Laura

I will start from SJPDP on Sunday morning 21. May. Will stay one night at Orrison. Prehaps we will see eachother. Buen Camino

 

[Dorpie]

Hi Laura,

It maybe too late for you to make any changes but I must admit despite it being the last good night's sleep I would get in a month, I rather regretted staying in a hotel in SJPdP. I was very lucky to have met a lovely Irish girl on the bus from Bayonne who introduced me to others but had I not I fear I might have missed out on some of the friendships that seem to be forged on the first night prior to the walk starting.

I walked at much the same time as you two years ago and only once was I faced with a no room at the inn situation and forced to go to the next village so would urge spontaneity.

Buen Camino,

Rob.