Trouble with finding beds in early September to October 2018

I started 1 Sept 2016, mainly didn't book, but when we did it was usually the day before.

I walked in Sept and Oct of 2015. I didn’t have trouble finding beds. I only ran in to one full albergue in 36 days, and that was in Nájera, so I was able to find a bed at a pensione.

You should be fine. Get a SIM card and call the day before or the day of if you are worried

Rosemaryk1 said:

Hello pilgrims,
I am starting my second Camino September 3rd to October 13th. I am a little anxious on the bed scenario. When I did my first Camino in May/June 2014 I stayed in pre booked spots, etc so I would not have that worry, BUT, I know I missed a lot of what the Camino had to offer and experience. I would like to wing it this go around. Should I worry? It looks like September will be as June was in 2014.....yikes... I know I will have to break out of my comfort zone and I am all for that, just want a bed at night!
Thanks to all and Buen Camino!!
Rosemary

Click to expand...

If you are starting in St Jean Pied de Port then I would book that ahead. It is already getting full for September, which is a popular tourist and pilgrim month.

Have a look at that previous thread https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/to-book-or-not-to-book.53964/#post-601847

So exciting!! Okay, so my first Camino I walked Sept/Oct 2013. As I walked along day after day one of my Camino family members gifted me with the name of Peri"greengo" LOL I didn't have a clue, at least not at first.
Arriving in St Jean around 8:30/9:00 P.M. on a delayed train from Bayonne. I stood in line at the pilgrims office with others who did not have a bed. The pilgrims office was so good to get us all a place to lay our heads. I ended up in an attic (see photo) at an alburgue that was completo. And so it begins, the adventure of my life. I was thrilled.
I left St Jean rather late, not knowing what lies ahead. Perigreengo! LOL After the long hike over the Pyrenees I arrived in Roncesvalles around 5:00/5:30 P.M. and was given a bed in the overflow, the old building, the one in the movie "The Way". It was almost full. Whew!! I made it.
On day two I made pretty good time but was still one of the later to arrive in Zubiri. I stopped at the first Alburgue, Zaldiko after you cross the bridge. As I approached I saw other pilgrims getting turned away, saying completo. (They were couples.) I decided to check for myself. I heard the host say we only have one bed left. As I stood in the doorway I quickly said, "I am one, I am solo." I got the last bed there and found out as the day went on other pilgrims either had to walk on to Larrasoana and others were transported there. Zubiri was full.
On the way to Estella I walked with a few other pilgrims (Camino family) we arrived to find the muni-complete but were directed to another alburgue across the bridge and around the corner to find enough beds for the four of us. Whew!!
I learned quickly to leave early. Not only to beat the heat but to have a place to lay my head.
Another close call was in Hornillos. I arrived and saw a line out the door of an Alburgue. The first one I came to. So I got in que, once again, I got the last bed. A few from my Camino family went further down to the Muni Alburgue and were put in an overflow. A huge one room gymnasium with mattresses on the floor. Hornillos was full. I didn't have any other close calls because I started my feet out walking early, and got my place in que at the muni-alburgues, which quickly became completo.
If you get anything from this, I hope you take away the fact that I did not, I repeat, DID NOT book ahead, not one time. I lived off the magic of the Camino and what it would provide for me. The feeling I got back was exhilarating.
Buen Camino, Buen Camino, Buen Camino!!!
Angela

Rosemaryk1, my husband and I walked the Camino Frances to Santiago from Aug. 28 to Oct. 9 in 2015 and never had a problem getting an albergue. I believe you'll be fine. Enjoy! Buen camino!

I completed the CF in late Sept 2017 and I just read somewhere that over 300K people were issued with a compostella last year which I think was the busiest year ever on record. Last year I found towns were full at Zubiri, Arzua and at least 2 other places where I cant remember their names. Other albergues were near capacity wherever I stayed.