Help with Albergues (I need to name them) + Passports

[HAPPYHIKER]

Hello!
I'm planning to walk this route in September but have to use a bag service as I've done my back in and can't carry any weight. We have decided the route as Santiago - Negreira - Olveiroa - Corubion - Finesterre - Muxia. Trouble is that I need to name the places that we are going to stay at as my bag needs to be delivered each night. Would really appreciate some advice on this.
If you stay in the offical/public albergue of each place 1) is that best? 2) am I right in saying you can't prebook at those? 3) is there just one officlal albergue in each place? do they have names please?
Also can I get a passport easily in Santiago? My partner is starting at O'Cebreiro, can he get a passport there???
Would greatly appreciate your help!

[Covey]

It is best to wait until you arrive at an albergue and then plan on where you are going to be the next night. All the albergues have the details of the various bag services (there are more than one!!) and will book your bag to be picked up the following morning.

You cannot book a place in advance at an official albergue.

You can get a Pilgrim Passport at the Pilgrim Office just behind the Cathedral in Santiago, and Ciebriero will issue a Passport.

[Tanya Yaksich]

My Sister used the bag service from O'Cebreiro as she did her back in. Sometimes they dropped the (mochilla) pack at the official Albergue, other times at the coffee shop close bye. They will tell you where. The cost was betwen 3 and 6 euros per drop

[Leslie]

I had no idea there was now bag services on the Camino.

When I last walked there was none that I saw - but now that is a few years ago.

It would be great if some people could post their experiences of this for others.

Thanks

[HAPPYHIKER]

Thanks for replies. Still don't feel completely confident about what to do, so would be grateful for more info. I have only found one company that do bag transfer on the last section of the camino - Santiago to Finesterre/Muxia although I do think there are several options on the Camino Frances. The company I've found is www.caminodesantiago2010.com.es but they are asking me to name the accomodations in advance. I would feel much more comfortable if this was pre arranged as I can't risk having to carry my bag even for a day!
Is anyone sure that you are offered a bag service each night on the route to Finesterre/Muxia???
Can someone verify if there is only one offical albergue in each place, then i could just say i want it delivered to that in each location.
Many thanks!

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Happy Hiker ~

You can use this website: El ep to find the names and contact info for each albergue on the Finisterre route. While it doesn't have info on the Muxia leg, that should be available by contacting the Finisterre folk. Whether or not there's a bag service available, you can just head to a bar/cafe in the morning, ask them to call you a taxi, and send your bag ahead via taxi. Not the cheapest solution, but it would at least be a backup for you.

Buen camino!

[Gazza]

My wife & her girlfriend use the bag service a couple of times (blisters) & it was fantastic for them. Cost 3 euro each time & generally the albergue organised it.

The morning we left the Albergue simply put the envelope on the bag, with details like pick up point & town to drop off. They will tell you where the drop off is, ie certain cafe or Albergue. We were concerned the first time, but it worked beautifully & often while walking you would see the Mochilla taxi drive past.

Do NOT get concerned with pre booking this stuff, trust the Camino, it works

Gazza

[InOrlando]

I just completed the Camino Frances, and Gazza's right: It appears that you don't have to know the exact name of each albergue in advance in order to get your pack set along.

And yes, Covey: there are lots of "mochila" services along the Camino these days. Especially after Sarria: The number of pilgrims walking cheerfully, without backpacks, seems to double. And in this Holy Year, I saw lots of tour buses that pulled up a block or two from the cafes and churches, and the pilgrims walked up to get their sellos, or stamps. Then they walked back up the road, boarded their bus, and road off to the next stop on the way to the Compostela. The Camino Industry is in full swing.

[HAPPYHIKER]

many thanks for all advise...more reasurance that i can arrange bag transfer at last minute notice any night from Albergue to an arranged meeting point would be great (on route Finesterre/Muxia), but i'm beginning to trust that there is a system. don't fancy resorting to the taxi-ing of just my bag - v pricey I assume!
happy hiking everyone!

[Covey]

In a lot of places the bag service is the local taxi service. Five years ago the bag service was a bit ad hoc, but now there are multiple offerings on the albergue notice boards.

[geraldkelly]

Hi Happyhiker!

Sorry to hear about your back. I know all about chronic pain, but the good news is that the Camino really helped me a lot in overcoming it.

As regards your question. A couple of points.

I agree with everything people have said about backpack transport on the Camino Frances. However, you're going to be walking to Finisterre and on to Muxia and I would not assume that the system for transporting backpacks is as well-organised there because far fewer people walk that bit and generally those that do are the "serious walker" type who carry their stuff with them.

The second point is, if you're using a transport service they probably won't let you stay in municipal/Xunta hostels. So you'll be limited to private hostels. The good news is that there are now quite a lot of private hostels on that route which have opened recently (except in Muxia where you'll have to find a hotel or guesthouse).

I have a guide to the Camino which I only just finished updating so I think I have all the hostels on this part listed. You can download it from Camino de Santiago Guide - St James Way - free guide to download click on the Download Guide button. The names of the hostels are given.

Ger

[timrichpt]

I got my passport in Burgos and my brother-in-law left it at the first albergue (San Nicholas del Real Camino). We then replaced the passport in Leon and continued on to Santiago with no difficulty. In bicycle you just need to cover 200k to qualify for your Compostela.

Tim

[Tanya Yaksich]

Hi,
Even though the Mochilla ( bag ) service is quite often the local taxi, they still charge between 3 and 7 euros a bag. We never knew in advance where we would be staying. We just told them to take the bag to the Municipal Albergue. When we got there, they would tell us if the bag was there or at the cafe, or wherever it had been dropped off, or the night before they would tell us where they would drop the bag off. My Sister used the service several times.
I would not leave valuables in the bag. My Sister was forever mindful that someone might steal her bag, but it was always fine.
Enjoy the Camino,
Cheers Tanya

[HAPPYHIKER]

Hi Happyhiker!

Sorry to hear about your back. I know all about chronic pain, but the good news is that the Camino really helped me a lot in overcoming it.

As regards your question. A couple of points.

I agree with everything people have said about backpack transport on the Camino Frances. However, you're going to be walking to Finisterre and on to Muxia and I would not assume that the system for transporting backpacks is as well-organised there because far fewer people walk that bit and generally those that do are the "serious walker" type who carry their stuff with them.

The second point is, if you're using a transport service they probably won't let you stay in municipal/Xunta hostels. So you'll be limited to private hostels. The good news is that there are now quite a lot of private hostels on that route which have opened recently (except in Muxia where you'll have to find a hotel or guesthouse).

I have a guide to the Camino which I only just finished updating so I think I have all the hostels on this part listed. You can download it from Camino de Santiago Guide - St James Way - free guide to download click on the Download Guide button. The names of the hostels are given.

Ger

Thanks for all info, i feel happier with options. am printing the download guide thanks Ger.