Travel Agency or not?

[Lonnie02]

Hello everyone,
I am looking to the Camino in the spring of 2013. I have been doing my due-diligence and have come across many websites that set up tours along with pre-booked lodging and such. For anyone who has done the Camino, do you recommend booking through one of these companies or to simply make your plans by yourself?
I am planning on doing the Camino solo and enjoy the freedom of walking where the wind blows.

Respectfully,
Lonnie

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Lonnie.

I'd say not, especially as you're looking for freedom. Spring won't be too busy, so there won't be a stampede for beds. It feels a bit uncomfortable for many of us to go off to foreign shores with no idea where you're going to stay each night, but there's no need to worry. You'll end up making your plans on a day-to-day basis.

The exception is your first night walking if you want to stay at Orrison, which does need to be booked, but you can do that yourself.

You'll save a fortune. Buen Camino!

 

[grayland]

I have to agree. Pre-planning takes away all of your ability to do your camino as it happens. It will also add a great deal to your costs.
You don't want to have to get to a certain place each day...or you may want to walk on further.

Read the forum and you will see that doing it yourself is quite easy.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola Lonnie

I have to agree. Although using an agency works for some people it really is unnecessary. I also think the biggest disadvantage is being thrown together in a group with others using the same agency. If you are looking for freedom set out on your own, make your own friends as you inevitably will, stop where you want and start when you want!

Buen camino

John

 

[Abbeydore]

Lonnie,

It's a lot of fun(& a bit of work) to set up to do your Camino, funnily enough, that can all be pretty much be done here on this forum, or people like the first 3 above will send you in the right direction. & save yo doing silly things like take a ground matt, which you see in all the pictures!(yes I bought one, but it stayed @ home).

I joined this forum last Oct & went on a small Camino this Spring(2wks), & yes yes a lot of help is here & when you get to Spain you'll find others to help & hinder your camino, a bit like the film, & that's all part of the camino, just coming to terms with everything.

You'll have a great time which ever way works for you, Buen Camino, David.

 

[dougfitz]

For both my European pilgrimages, I used a travel agent to book the travel to Europe. In 2010, I did all the internal travel and accommodation arrangements myself. This year, I used the agent to book the accommodation at the start and end of the pilgrimage, and some internal flights.

Except for relatively simple return bookings, I have generally found the agent I use has found lower cost options than I could achieve myself using web booking sites.

 

[Lonnie02]

Wow guys! Thanks so much for all the feedback. I had a gut feeling that doing everything myself was right for me. I have done trips to Africa and Asia where I did all the leg work and planning (if you will) and they worked out perfectly for me also.
I plan to do the Camino from Leon to Santiago. I guess getting from Madrid to Leon is best done by bus from what I hear.
Thank you all and best wishes for you and yours.
Buen Camino
Lonnie

 

[tyrrek]

Wow guys! Thanks so much for all the feedback. I had a gut feeling that doing everything myself was right for me. I have done trips to Africa and Asia where I did all the leg work and planning (if you will) and they worked out perfectly for me also.
I plan to do the Camino from Leon to Santiago. I guess getting from Madrid to Leon is best done by bus from what I hear.
Thank you all and best wishes for you and yours.
Buen Camino
Lonnie

Hi Lonnie. There's not really much legwork to do apart from turning up in beautiful, laid back Leon, getting a credencial and starting to walk. The walk out of the city is a bit dull for the first couple of hours, but once you're out there it's great. Enjoy places like Rabanal, Acebo, Molinaseca, Ponferrada etc. I'm jealous. Buen Camino!

 

[nreyn12]

Lonnie,

Yes, very easy to get from Madrid to Leon. You can even get a bus directly from the airport, if the times match up with your arrival. And it the times don't match up, it's easy to get to one of the other bus terminals in Madrid using the metro.

You can even book your bus ticket before leaving home at http://www.movelia.es. The journey takes less than four hours and can cost as little as 24 euros (for 'normal' service rather than 'supra', which, in my opinion, isn't worth the extra money).

Easy legwork!

Nancy