Pilgrim passport

[Likewhatever]

I'm a bit muddled as to how the whole thing works. Basically, you just pick somewhere along the route and start walking? Is that it?
Where can you get a pilgrim passport that entitles you to stay at the 'albergues'. And what's this I've read about getting the passport stamped? Where does this happen?

[Leslie]

As I sure you will know the Camino Frances is a pilgrim route, people started walking along the route because of St James. The route has now become very popular for anyone to walk for many reasons.

There is no offical start point, yes you can just turn up and walk from anywhere you want. Most pilgrims stay in Pilgrims Hostels - these are hostels that have been set up for pilgrims only. To stay in one you must have walked that day, generally, it is in the pilgrims hostels that you get your passport stamped - though many other bars will also have stamps.

Most of the main hostels will have pilgrims passports, they normally cost 2 or 3 Euro. Or you can get one from your home Confraternity - there is a list of them here List of Camino de Santiago de Compostela Websites

This page explains a bit more about the Camino Frances Camino Frances - Camino Spain - The Main Route to Santiago

Read around for more information

[Likewhatever]

Thanks Leslie.

The link for the Irish Confraternity doesn't seem to work:

http://www.stjamesirl.com/index.htm

[Leslie]

Irish Society of the Friends of St.James Introduction this is the link

Sometimes websites are updated and I don't get emails - Thanks for pointing that out I have changed the link on the site.

If you are getting a passport from them they are very good and usually fairly quick. I live in Dublin myself and have met a few of them.

[Likewhatever]

Is it generally easy to get the passport along the route when you being? Or would it be more sensible to get the passport in your home country before you go?

[Leslie]

You will get a passport in all the major towns and cities in the main pilgrims hostels. Easy to get.

[miriam]

Leslie, you mention in your earlier response that to stay in a Hostel you must have walked that day but what about the first day ? e.g. Say arriving in Leon from Madrid by bus. Can we stay at a hostel in Leon before beginning our walk the next day or must we stay in a hotel in Leon before we begin our walk the following day ? I guess that another alternative, if your statement is correct, is to walk a shoerter distance after arriving in Leon and check in at a hostel some distance outside of Leon. Could you please clarify ?

Thanks
Phil

[Leslie]

I found from my own experience that in large hostels you will be able to stay overnight the day you turn up on the Camino.

In Leon you have a choice of the Convent hostel or the local Youth hostel. A lot of people choose the latter as the other closes at 10pm and will lock you out for the night if you miss this deadline - I know from experience. I wasn't locked out but someone I know ended up sleeping in our room at the youth hostel.

This is the same for other starting points like Roncesvalles and Pamplona; St Jean is different due to the lack of beds during busy periods.

Hope this helps.

[miriam]

Thanks Leslie for you informative reply. Info like this just makes our planning a little easier. We hit the trail in September and are really looking forward to the experience.