February/March 2012 - a good time to go?

[Malachy]

I am planning to do the Camino, it's been on my mind for some time, in Feb/Mar before I start a new job and I have a few questions:-

I know the weather will be colder and wetter than later in the year but will it make it much harder to do the walk?

Will there be many (or any) people doing the walk at this time - an attraction is to meet like minded people on the walk.

Thanks!
M.

[LindaaSwift]

Hi there. I have just posted the same question. My friend & I are travelling from NewZealand, commencing the Camino from Leon around Feb 4th.
We are well stocked with thermals & waterproof jackets/leggings etc. I imagine the conditions may cause the walk to be a little
slower, but regardless, we are booked and ready to go! Winter on the Camino...not for the faint hearted perhaps but "Kia Kaha" (NZ Maori for Be Strong!) Linda

[Pam Miller]

Go to this page and look to see the people per month. Makes interesting reading.
Pilgrims to Santiago » Statistics

[Shaun]

Hi Malachy,
I am also starting from Leon, but towards the middle of March, the 16th. I guess the weather will be colder, but hey, it'll still be worth it. We will still get sunny days and blue skies to help us along. A big bonus will be a lack of flies/bugs etc. as they will still be tucked away, waiting for warmer times!
Buen camino!

[Pam Miller]

Flies/bugs - We must have been lucky. We travelled from SJPdP to Najera and from Sarria to Santiago and do not recall seeing any flies on the 340 km trip. We travelled in July.

[Ziggy]

Hi, I'm also doing El Camino from mid-Feb starting in Pamplona. I have 5 weeks to complete it and I'm glad to know you are not put off by cold weather either. I guess, coming from London is an advantage!

[Ziggy]

Hi Malachy, I,m also doing the Camino in Feb/March starting in Pamplona. It is the only time in the year that I could do it, so let's take plenty of light, warm clothes. I'm rather excited about the challenge. Buen Camino! (we might meet in the way)

[LindaaSwift]

A bit like coming from NZ....downunder. We are quite used to the cold also. I suppose one advantage will be that we won't be competing for places to sleep.....assuming that most albergues are open during the winter? Do you have any information or thoughts about that?
We will be starting at Leon, and giving ourselves 20 days to complete the sugested 15 day journey from there. May see you on the Way!

[Shaun]

20 days from Leon! That should be plenty Linda. Thats where I am starting, mid March, but only have 10/12 days. I hope I havnt bitten off more than I can chew.
buen camino

[Elizabeth]

I am planning to start my pilgrimage the second week of March and would like to know if Madrid is the closest airport to fly into if I plan to start in Leon.

[LindaaSwift]

Hi there. My friend & I are starting the Camino next week (beginning of Feb). We are also starting in Leon, flying from NZ, so Madrid seems to be the closest city in Spain to fly into.
The plan then is to bus from Madrid to Leon, which seems to also be an easy option. Buses cover that route regularly. Go well on the Camino. Linda

[Elizabeth]

Thanks Linda and buen camino! How frequently do the buses run to Leon and back to Madrid? Also, are there some good, inexpensive places to stay in Madrid as I will have to stay overnight before my flight back to Canada?

[Leslie]

If you are looking for hotels or such in Madrid there are loads and I would just check with the likes of hotel.com - unless someone has recommendations?

[LindaaSwift]

Thanks Linda and buen camino! How frequently do the buses run to Leon and back to Madrid? Also, are there some good, inexpensive places to stay in Madrid as I will have to stay overnight before my flight back to Canada?

Hey Elizabeth. I have done some searching and it seems that buses are quite frequent..the bus company is called Alsa..and can be found on www.alsa.es. They leave Madrid every few hours and take either 2 and a half or four and a half hours depending on the type of bus service (e.g. 'extra's) you choose. The longest journey costs 22 euros. Alternatively the train is an option , and this takes 2 and a half hours, cost of 45 euros....which runs from Charmartin Train Station in Madrid. Hope this helps.

A question I have that you might be able to answer....have you got your Camino passport yet? We are hoping to be able to pick it up in Leon.....any info about that?

Hope your plans are going well...we leave NZ in 4 days!....getting a little nervous and excited. Linda

[sean]

Hi Elizabeth,
There is a good cheap (€50) hotel right next to Charmartin station. It is called Hotel 54 and can be booked on the net in advance. The only problem I had with them was having to wait until 12 to get my room. Irish solution to Spanish problem. Sit in reception area amongst all of the swell dressed Spanish in my Camino smelling Sunday best. No longer problem-room available at 8;30am.
Hope this helps

Regards,
Sean
Dublin

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Elizabeth,
With the new fast train from Madrid out to the airport, and especially if you haven't spent much time in Madrid, I'd recommend staying near the Puerta del Sol. The metro stop there has a line that takes about three or four stops to the airport. Depending on what kind of accommodations you want, I would try something like hotels.com for a 3 or 4 star hotel in the $70-80 (US) range.

If you want a pension, the ones I have seen recommended right near Sol are the Victoria https://www.hostal-victoria.com/index.asp with single rooms for 35 euros, and the Aresol, on Calle Arenal, with rooms at 40 euros.

there are tons of hotels/pensions in that area, within a 5-10 minute walk of the Sol metro stop, and then you're also close to the Plaza Mayor, the Gran Via, the royal palace, so you'll have plenty to do.