Budget
Plan for accommodation, meals, transport, unexpected expenses and a reserve for rest days.
Prepare without overpacking
Camino Francés practical guide
Our preparation notes before departure. We will add actual costs and lessons learned along the way.
Accommodation
Alternate between albergues, guesthouses and private rooms depending on fatigue and availability.
Pace
Start gradually, listen to aches and keep some days shorter.
Pack
Aim for a reasonable weight and test all gear before departure.
Health
Prepare medication, insurance, prescriptions and useful contacts without replacing medical advice.
Connectivity
Keep maps, bookings and contacts offline for areas with limited coverage.
Before leaving
- Documents, insurance and pilgrim credential
- Shoes and pack tested on several outings
- Offline copies of bookings and contacts
- Flexible plan with recovery days
Frequently asked questions about the Camino Francés
How long is the Camino Francés?
About 790 km separate Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, at the foot of the Pyrenees, from the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. It is the most walked of the Camino de Santiago routes.
How many days does it take?
Most pilgrims walk it in 30 to 35 stages, about five weeks including a few rest days. We have planned 33 stages of 19 to 29 km.
What is the best season to go?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) bring mild temperatures and open albergues. Summer is hot and very busy on the Meseta; in winter, the Napoleon Route over the Pyrenees is closed, as are many albergues.
Where do you sleep on the Camino Francés?
Albergues, hostels reserved for pilgrims, usually cost 10 to 20 € a night in a dormitory. Guesthouses, hostales and hotels offer private rooms, often between 40 and 80 € for two.
What budget should you plan?
Plan on roughly 40 to 60 € per person per day in albergues with the pilgrim's menu, more with private rooms. Add travel to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and back from Santiago.
What are the credential and the Compostela?
The credential is the pilgrim's passport: it is stamped every day and gives access to albergues. In Santiago, the Pilgrim's Office awards the Compostela to those who have walked at least the last 100 km, from Sarria, with two stamps a day on that stretch.
How do you get to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port from Quebec?
The simplest way is to fly to Paris, take the train to Bayonne, then the regional train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, about an hour away. Biarritz airport, near Bayonne, is another option.
How heavy should the backpack be?
A common guideline is no more than 10% of your body weight: every kilo counts over 790 km. We detail our choices on the Gear page.