Walking Burgos to Santiago in July

[boydiethomson]

Hello,
This is my first Camino and I have tons of questions...... First, does anyone know the best way to get from Madrid to Burgos. My spanish is VERY limited, so I want to have explicit directions before I land in Madrid. Also, I hear that one should figure on approx. $35 per day. Is it possible to get by on less? iIwas thinking that time of year one could probably buy fruit pretty cheap. I am planning on giving myself 30 days to walk approx. 10 to 12 miles per day. Also, does anyone know if there is a bus from Santiago to Madrid. I'll thank you now for any information you can give me as well as any suggestions.

[Covey]

From Madrid to Burgos you catch the ALSA coach which takes 2.45hrs and costs around ?17 one way.

ALSA - Hacemos tu viaje m?s f?cil

As to the cost per day of the trip:

You could just about do the trip for ?20 per day provided you did not want to have a beer or coke, avoided all bars and hospitality of any sort, and did not need to buy anything from the pharmacy.

You cannot cut back on food because walking 20/25kms a day you are burning a lot of energy and you have to replace it, which means lots of fruit, chocolate etc.

It means no rest days along the way and generally speaking, you will not have the same fun as everyone else.

My ?35 budget assumes that you might want the odd beer or two, might need to buy Compeed from the pharmacy, or buy a Big Mac in Leon (down the main drag towards the river and on the left hand side by the bridge!!!). For those who dislike fast food, a Big Mac tastes fantastic after weeks of bacadillo and the pilgrims menu!!!

[Leslie]

For those who dislike fast food, a Big Mac tastes fantastic after weeks of bacadillo and the pilgrims menu!!!

I have to agree. Fot the last few days walking towards Santiago all I could think of food wise was a big mac or a whopper. I only eat them about twice a year - but the craving did not go away.

We went to the tourist info in Santiago and after they stopped laughing at me, they pointed us in the right direction. Tasty.

[boydiethomson]

Thank you Covey and Leslie for your information. I guess I will have to dig out my lunch money from kindergarten and go for it and live large. Can't do without some fun and a few days off to enjoy my experience. Just was hoping that I could get by a bit cheaper.
Anyway, that being settled, I'm wondering , and a bit concerned, when I hear folks say that sometimes the refugios get full. What does one do if they are full and there is no hotel in the town. Do you sleep outside on a bench?
Also, if I walk at the end of June and thru July could I get away with just a sleeping bag liner, or would it be best to take a sleeping bag, incase I do have to sleep under the stars.
Thanks again for all the help you have given to everyone.

Marilyn

[Covey]

The problem of full albergues has got a lot easier over the past few years with the building of many private albergues. The private ones are usually smaller in terms of bed numbers and have much better plumbing!! They usually cost ?1 or 2 more per night, but are a better bet.

I am starting from SJPdP on 3rd July and will just carry my sleeping bag liner as per usual. I have a silk pre treated anti bug one which I have used for the past three trips.

You see people carrying extreme cold weather bags in July together with thermal ground rolls so one wonders which forums they were reading!!

Buying kit for the Camino is expensive enough for most, and carrying expensive kit which you don't really need, is a double folly.

As to the budget, the ?35 I suggest as a daily planning sum will prove OTT on some days, and enough on others. It is nice in places like Burgos, Leon and Santiago to relax and treat yourself to some decent food and rest, whilst on other days ?20-25 will cover it as there is little to spend the money on except your bed and food.