Hopefully the other pages in this guide have answered many of your questions, but here are a few more that I often hear, that may not have been fully covered yet.
What route should I walk?
All the routes have their benefits, and will be enjoyable, but I feel strongly that if you have the time, you should do the Camino Frances from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Pont, France to Santiago de Compestela, Spain.
It’s the most popular route with the most infrastructure. The full length will take you 30-40 days, but it’s a life-changing experience. If you don’t have time for the whole thing, you can start mid-way.
My second choice would be walking the Camino Portuguese from Porto to Santiago. It takes 10-14 days. It is probably the second most popular route.
When is the best time of the year to walk the Camino?
It’s possible to walk the Spanish routes year round, but much of the infrastructure shuts down from November through March, so those months are far less busy. May, August and September are usually the busiest months, with June and July slightly lower (but not much). Summer is hot in Spain, so I prefer September. It’s a bit cooler, but avoids some of the rainy season that starts later in October. I’ve been told May is great time to do the Camino with all the vegetation in full bloom.
The non-Spanish routes are less traveled, and therefore may be even less supported in winter. You’ll want to walk in spring, summer or fall. If you do choose the off-season, do a lot of research.
Note, routes like the Via Francigena or the Camino Frances go over the mountains and may be partially closed during winter.
Should I book my rooms ahead or just wing it?
My sense is that the majority of people don’t book their rooms ahead of time. They prefer the freedom and flexibility of just seeing what each day provides.
That said, I prefer private rooms, and getting a private room often involves booking ahead at least a few days, and sometimes longer. I’m a planner, so I book all my rooms a few months ahead of my Camino, but I’m an outlier. Having my plans set, gives me a sense of peace, and helps me enjoy my Camino more.
The downside of booking ahead… it locks you into a schedule. It makes it harder to change your plans at the last minute for unexpected reasons (e.g., injury).
The downside of not booking ahead… some pilgrims get into a “race” mentality as they try to get to the next town as early as possible to claim beds.
If you aren’t sure, then I’d suggest booking the first 3-4 nights of your Camino. After you arrive and start walking, you’ll have a sense of how busy things are, and if you should book more nights.
Can I have my pack transferred by a service to my next stop?
Yes, on the most popular Camino routes there are services that will pick up your bag in the morning, and drop it off by lat afternoon at your next destination.
Prices vary but expect to pay about 10-12€ per page per day for this type of service.
Can I have a company plan my Camino?
Yes, there are several companies that offer this type of service. Based on your input, they’ll plan your stages, book your accommodations and arrange luggage transport.
Are the popular Camino routes becoming too popular and too busy to walk?
It’s common to hear from some pilgrims that the Camino Frances route is grown too busy.
I strongly disagree. Yes, there are more and more people walking this route, but part of the joy of walking is meeting people. Having more people is generally a good thing, not bad.
It’s commonly agreed that the biggest problem is probably the final 100km of each Camino. Traditionally, you have to walk 100km to get a certificate of completion (Compestela), so the final stages of each Camino get busier. The problem is especially bad during summer when school groups will often walk the last stages of the Camino. Walking nearby one or more groups of 30 students (often being noisy) is not an ideal Camino experience.
So, yes, the final 100km can get busier, but you’ll find the other stages to be fine.
Note… the rules are changing for who qualifies for a Compestela. Going forward, one does not need to walk the final 100km to earn the Compestela, one only needs to walk 100km anywhere on the Camino, and then walk into the town of Santiago on the final day. This change is going to effect in 2025, and will likely change traffic patterns for the better in the future.
How many miles will I need to walk each day?
Do what works for you. That said, the trick will be finding lodging, restaurants and stores. You may want to just walk 10 miles in a day, but if the next town is 12 miles away, you don’t have a lot of choice and will need to adapt.
I find most pilgrims walk 12-15 miles (20-25km) per day. While that may sound like a lot to a new walker, keep in mind, it’s the only thing you do each day. So you can take as long as you want each day to complete the walk.
Personally, I target 15 miles per day. I’m comfortable with longer days, when necessary, but try to avoid days over 18 miles.
Should I take rest days during my Camino?
Generally a rest day every 7 to 10 days is good for mind and body. Plus, if you stop in a nice location, you can enjoy some sights around town. I personally like to choose larger towns for my rest days, since there are more sights, and more services (like laundromats), plus, other pilgrims tend to choose these towns for rest stops too, so you may be able to coordinate your rest day with friends you’ve made along the way.
If necessary, is it possible to get an Uber or catch a cab?
Yes and no.
First the “no.” When you’re in a small European village, it is very unlikely you’ll find a ride-sharing company or cab anywhere near by. In these cases, a bus is probably your best bet. Of course, buses run on fixed schedules, so they can be trickier to work into your plans.
Now the “yes.”
In larger towns, ride sharing services and cabs should be available. That said, Europeans often use different ride-sharing services than Americans. Uber is not widely available in Spain, but Cabify is. You’ll want to research this head of time, for your particular Camino.
I find that cabs are generally the best bet. On popular Camino routes, enterprising individuals have taxi services to assist pilgrims, and in larger cities, there are usually several options from which to choose. Ask the proprietor of your lodging to help. They may be able to call and schedule a ride for you.
How can I assure that I see the botafumeiro (large swinging incense device) in the Cathedral in Santiago?
There is generally no firm schedule for when the botafumeiro will be swung, instead it swings when someone has sponsored it through donation. Therefore, you can’t be sure when it will swing, and if you’ll see it.
If seeing it is a priority for you, your best bet is to attend mass when you arrive, and if it doesn’t swing, attend mass again until you see it. There are several masses each morning, and one final mass at 7:30PM each evening. (Check schedule, since it could change.)
Should I go on the Camino alone or go with a friend?
Going with a friend for family member will provide you some comfort when you start, and can be really enjoyable as you have someone with whom to share this wonderful adventure. The downside is that when you are with someone else, you are less likely to reach out to strangers and build deeper relationships with others. You will need to be intentional to not be in your own little bubble.
When you’re by yourself, you will more naturally interact and meet others on the trail. You’ll also have more contemplative time.
My quick conclusion… On less traveled Camino routes, being with a friend would have more advantages, since there are so few other pilgrims with which to interact. On the more popular routes, being alone has its advantages since you’ll meet more people and build closer relationships.
One other thought… The Camino is a hard thing to do. I promise you it will bring out the worst and the best of each person on the trail. So, if you do go with a friend, expect there will be times when you are angry or frustrated with each other. Go with a spirit of forgiveness and understanding.
Is the Camino safe for a single woman to walk alone?
I’m not the right person to ask about this, but I’ll try to answer.
Yes, Camino routes are safe for single women travelers. Violent crime in Europe, and on the Camino is rare. That said, it has happened, so all walkers should show good judgment in when and where they choose to walk.
I think most individual women pilgrims feel more comfortable on the busier routes (Camino Frances, Camino Portuguese) where there are many pilgrims nearby, and where it’s easy to connect with new walking companions. On the Camino Frances you are rarely out of sight of other pilgrims during the late morning and early afternoon each day.
This question is answered in more detail on online forums, so do a bit more research, if you want a more thoughtful answer than I’m able to provide.
Can I have some luggage shipped to Santiago so I can pick it up when I finish?
Yes, you can. This is particularly helpful when you want to travel in Europe after your Camino, so having luggage awaiting you is helpful. Also, after they start walking, some pilgrims decide that their packs are too heavy, and the send forward some items to lighten their load.
I recommend Casa Ivar in Santiago for this service. Ivar is a bit of a legend on the Camino, and provides excellent service.
Bill on the Camino 