Pilgrims Passport?

[ankab88]

Hi,

My partner and I are going to do the Camino Sept 2011, we live in New Zealand and I am wondering if it is okay to leave getting our pilgrims passport until we arrive in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or if we need to arrange it prior to leaving NZ?

[Covey]

Most Pilgrims get their pilgrim passport aka Carnet De Pelerin De Saint-Jacques at the Pilgrim Office in St Jean.

The Pilgrim Office will also give you a list of most of the Albergues along the Camino Frances and a profile map of the route to Santiago split in to the suggested 34 stages which cover a days walk. Most importantly, they will give you a weather briefing and tell you if you should take the Winter Route if the weather is going to be bad . Listen carefully to their advice and follow it!!

It is a good idea to pre-book your first nights stay at St Jean and I would recommend http://www.espritduchemin.org/English/welcome.html Everybody who stays there raves about the place! It is 20m from the Pilgrim Office but you need to book early.

I have walked the Camino Frances a number of times starting in September and the weather has always been good, so have fun!

[ankab88]

Thank you so much!! I can't wait now

[Larry]

Hi.
I received my Pilgrims Passport from the Confraternity of St. James in California but when I arrived in St Jean I found that for a very nominal fee, I think 1 Euro, I could have received it in St. Jean, at the Church there, when I checked in. It is advisable to check in there to get traveling information, be registered, and stamped. The priest is very friendly and helpful and is a plethora of sound advise. Good Luck.

[unadara]

Will be arriving by train in St.Jean, (Sept 13th ) options are 22hr25 or 06.57am. Is one too late to pick up the passport and get accommodation (can book in advance) and other too late in morning to get things sorted and get recommended early start, we would also have been up travelling since 4am from Lourdes.

[BHinSanDiego]

Not knowing how much time you have to walk I recommend taking a rest day especially if you are traveling all the way from new Zealand and arriving at one of those times. Don't rush yourself, the first day on the Camino is one of the most difficult in many peoples opinion (mine included) and if you do take the rest day you'll have plenty of time to go to the Pilgrims Office. If you stay at L'Sprit du Chemin they are good about staying there a couple of days.

[joe]

Just booked a bed at L'esprit Du Chemin, thanks for letting me know about it! It's really close to the Pilgrims Office.

[BHinSanDiego]

Joe, be sure to partake in the evening meal at L'esprit du Chemin, not only great food, but theres no better way to meet others who will be starting their pilgrimmage at the same time. You'll bond with this group in a unique way, you may walk together at some points along the Camino, but in the end when you see them in Santiago you'll have a special connection of knowing them from day one on your and their Camino!
Ultreya,
Barry

[joe]

When I filled in the request form I said "no" to the evening meal... my train from Bayonne to St Jean arrives at 7.37pm and I read on their website that they only serve from 7.00pm to 7.45pm. But I did explain in the notes section, so maybe they'll be kind enough to save me some. I did opt for the Breakfast and packed lunch though.

[Irishwalker]

I got my Pilgrim Passport from the Irish Society of the Friends of St. James in Dublin for €10 two years ago. I know it would have been cheaper to get one at St. Jean but I love my Irish one! I didn't mind paying the extra euros to a good cause. This year will be my third time using it - 'twill be full when I have the final third of my Camino finished in a couple of weeks. Will have to get a new one when I retire in a few years time as I intend to start again and do it all in one go! Enjoy your Camino and don't get too hung up on trying to arrange things in advance, they have a habit of turning out right in the end if you let them!

[joe]

I just got an email from L'esprit, they told me they wait for the people on the 19.37pm train, so I can have dinner after all.

Good Luck with your Camino Irishwalker!! The last part of your journey is almost complete! Until you start again that is :P

[Irishwalker]

Didn't I say things turn out right if you let them?! Glad you will get your dinner! Take this as a sign that all will be well. Buen Camino!

[BHinSanDiego]

Good to hear that worked out Joe! It is such a unique bond that one can have with another pilgrim knowing they met before starting, seeing each other along the way, and hopefully arriving in Santiago about the same time. And Irishwalker, it's not so much how much or how little we paid for our passport but what it represents, like you mine was a little different than others I saw on my Camino (from American Pilgrims on the Camino), though a small thing it was iteresting to see the various styles from the different countries . And since you've used in on multiple occasions you're getting your moneys worth!
Ultreya amigos!
Barry

[Irishwalker]

I totally agree, Barry! That was exactly my point - what my passport represents to me is priceless! Good travelling, my friend.

[wendy gaston]

Hi Does anyone know if its possible to pick up a pilgrims passport in Astorga it seems like a popular starting point for people like me wishing to walk for 2 weeks. I am planning mine for the last 2 weeks of May and will not have time to get one fromthe confraternity before I leave. I had intended getting the bus from Valladolid to Astorga to start the walk. The other alternative is to go to Leon to get the pasport which I wasn't planning to do.
A list of Albergues from Astoga to Santiago who issue the passports would be really helpful on this site. I am happy to make a list of the ones I will stay at.
Wendy

[Covey]

You can get your Pilgrim Passport at the main albergue in Astorga which is at the top of a steep climb up the road to the top of the hill.

[ScotlandtoSantiago]

Can anyone advise me regarding the Pilgrim's office in St JPP - is this open 7 days a week? I'll be arriving from Bayonne on Sunday 1st May at 9.30am approx and I'm anxious that I might have problems attaining my pilgrim's passport. Also, as well as being a Sunday, I believe that I read it's also a public holiday.

I've read the advice above regarding a rest day in St JPP but unfortunately arriving into Bordeaux at 3pm means that Bayonne is as far as I can get on the 30th. I did try to get a bed at Orisson on the 1st but was too late so it looks like I need to do the full hike to Roncesvalles on the 1st, starting around 10am.

Any help or advice gratefully received.