Are you planning to walk the Camino or cycle the Camino on specific dates? Booking your Camino trip in advance is ideal, especially for popular travel times such as Easter, St James’s Day, or peak walking months like May and September. Reserving your trip 6 to 12 months in advance can help secure the best accommodation options and ensure a smooth journey.
Booking early, ideally at least 6 months ahead, increases your chances of securing preferred accommodations and allows for a broader selection. It also means the reservations team will likely book first-choice properties for your trip.
You might also want to read our blog What are the busiest months on the Camino? to discover the best time for your Camino.
Last-Minute Camino Bookings
A last-minute Camino booking is typically made between 2 weeks and 2 months before departure. Though we make every effort to arrange last-minute trips, please remember that the Camino routes pass through some small towns and villages where accommodation may be limited. This is especially true for popular sections like the Camino Francés from Sarria to Santiago in May and September.
If accommodations are unavailable in a specific area, our team will help you find an alternative Camino route or section that matches your needs and timing.
Camino Festivals
The Camino de Santiago offers a wealth of unique festivals along its routes. Many of these festivals celebrate the culture and traditions of the region, adding a special touch to any pilgrimage. Some festivals are intimate, local events, while others attract visitors from across Spain and abroad.
If there’s a festival you’d like to experience along your journey, it’s wise to book early. Specific festivals are so popular that local accommodations may fill up as much as a year in advance, and rates might also increase during these periods.
See our Camino de Santiago Festivals calendar.
Camino Discounts
Booking your Camino trip in advance offers logistical benefits and may also bring financial rewards. At CaminoWays, we offer discounts to those who book early, particularly for trips scheduled for the following year. Watching social media updates and seasonal flash offers such as St James Day and Black Friday can help you find great deals for your journey.
A 12% discount is typically available for returning travellers—even for last-minute bookings—adding an extra perk for loyal customers.
When Are My Camino Hotels Booked?
Once your deposit, typically around 20% of the total trip cost, is paid, the booking process begins. Our reservations team will start arranging your Camino hotels or accommodations to ensure your journey is well-prepared. If any of the properties listed in your sample itinerary are unavailable, we will arrange an alternative of similar quality.
Your confirmed hotel reservations and trip details will be finalised and uploaded to your Client Portal one month before departure.
When Should I Book My Camino Trip?
If you’re ready to start planning, now is an excellent time to book your Camino trip! Reviewing our Camino Booking Timeline Guide and our terms and conditions will help you understand how the booking process works.
For more details about the Camino de Santiago routes or to begin planning your journey, contact our Camino travel specialists.
