Public transport

[teejay]

I plan to walk the Camino Frances next year with my wife.However she suffers from occasional back problems and may not be able to undertake consecutive stages.Is it practical to get public transport so we can meet at the end of a particular stage.

Many thks

[HuskyNerd]

Hi TJ ~
In many cases it is possible to get public transport, but occasionally there's a mountain pass or a fairly deserted stretch where it's not easy. In those cases you can often get a taxi or sometimes even convince a local to drive you the distance. Your best help is always the hospitalero at the albergue who can give you advice about public transport. On this year's camino my sister suffered some blister and tendonitis issues and she completed her camino (though without a compostela) by a combination of buses, trains, and hitchhiking.

Buen camino!

[geraldkelly]

Hi TJ

I wouldn't worry about this if I was you. There's always somebody who'll help you. I'm talking from experience here. If there isn't a bus there's a taxi service or a group with a van who'll give you a lift to the next village. Besides, your wife may find that walking all day actually improves her back problems (that was certainly my experience). If she has problems carrying her backpack there are lots of services which will transport it for her. As Sandy said, ask the hospitaleros and they'll point you in the right direction.

Ger

[grayland]

I agree. The bus service seems to be easy and fairly complete. I have not used it myself but know that a lot of people do just as your wife is thinking about.
Try to get a handle on the schedules and such before you leave so you will have a feeling on how it works.

[Gazza]

I suffer from back issues when getting from a seated to a standing position, but when I did the Camino simply walking with a pack on was no discomfort at all & my back was probably the best it had ever felt, also losing weight along the way helped lol.
Where I did get a little discomfort was stopping during the day & then restarting, it took a little while for the back to relax once again & get back into the rhythm.

I think your wife might be pleasantly surprised

[teejay]

Thanks for advice everyone - we feel a lot more reassured now

Teejay