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To book ahead for an alburgue or not?

coldweather

Member
Hola!

I walked the Camino in May 2013. I did not make advance alburgue reservations but some pilgrims did.

I am planning to walk in April 2016. I do not plan to have a phone with me. I like the idea of setting out each morning with a plan in my head but the freedom and flexibility to change my mind at any time. This is why I always carry my backpack and do not use the backpack transportation services.

I am feeling that since almost everyone has a phone that bed reservations are becoming the norm rather than the exception.

I am looking for pilgrims with recent experience (2015) on how many pilgrims are making alburgue reservations vs. no reservations.

Thank you!
 
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I presume you are talking about private albergues, where bookings can be made. I know that in 2014, I only did that once, on the day that I walked to Finnisterre. The remainder of that trip (CI then Muxia and Finisterre) I just arrived at a combination of Xunta alburgues, which cannot be booked, two other private albergues and one hostel. So one night out of 10 was booked.

I carried a phone, but arranged with the hospitalera at Muxia to make the booking at Finisterra.
 
Personally, I don't think you'll have a problem finding a bed in April.
I've walked that early with no reservations and found a bed every night.
Walking BETWEEN the Brierley stages helps also.
 
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Hi, just finished my Camino Frances and the only reservation I did was for the albergue Orisson. I walked for 37 day's and finding a bed was no problem at all. Wish you well and a Buen Camino in 2016, Peter.
 
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Did anyone just started to walk and not booked, called etc. etc. ahead? Seems to me that the whole idea of trusting in the pilgrimage itself is getting a bit lost if everything has to be pre arranged. But maybe I'm off here and it is a good idea to plan ahead. Personally I like to travel with as little electronic gadgets as possible. But I can see how a cellphone could come in handy in an emergency situation. In the end, any pilgrimage is a personal event I trust, and everyone must listen to their own comfort level.
 
I walked in May, which is considered the start of the busy season and I had no need to book ahead. Then again, I mostly stayed in Municipal albergues so I was unable to reserve
 
Anniesantiago said:
Personally, I don't think you'll have a problem finding a bed in April.
I've walked that early with no reservations and found a bed every night.
Walking BETWEEN the Brierley stages helps also.
Click to expand...

We're leaving in a week and truly want to "go with the flow." However, I do worry some about finding four beds, night after night. I have a different guidebook and want to follow your advice to avoid the Brierley stages. Unfortunately, I don't know them! Can you recommend a website that might? ...Are they possibly listed somewhere in your helpful blog? Thanks!
 
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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Walked in late August-September 2013. The only reservations I made were in Orisson and in Sjpdp and then again at private albergues when we got deep into Galicia. There was three towns we had trouble getting a bed. The town's we had trouble were in Zubiri, Los Arcos, and also in Ponferrada.
I remember walking into Zubiri and all the albergues were filled. We were forced to stay at the local hotel. In Ponferrada, there were so many pilgrims looking for a bed the day we arrived that the municipal albergue ran out of beds and gave arriving pilgrims a mattress so they could sleep outside in front of the Albergue. In Los Arcos there were so many people walking that day that we could not get into Casa de la Abuela as well. We almost missed getting into the muni there too. Good luck on your journey. Buen Camino.
 
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Please note, the Pope has declared a Holy Year starting in December 2015. I think the Caminos are going to be very busy.
 
I walked the Camino Frances in Sept/Oct 2014 and made only one advance reservation - at Orrison. Had no problems until next to last day, when I ended up walking 30+ km before finding accommodations - thankfully at the Monte del Gozo muni. Every place I stopped on that long, wet haul was "complete," making for a discouraging and sometimes scary day. It was dark by the time I finally reached the albergue, and when the hospitalerio saw my exhausted expression, he said, "welcome home!" Those two words were especially sweet, as I never planned nor wanted to walk that far. Guess I was caught off guard by the impact of the short-haul crowds.
 
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