Below we have listed some of the frequently asked questions that we have received. Have a question not listed here? Ask your question here.
The Camino de Santiago (also called el Camino or the Way of St. James) is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes stretching across Northern Spain — and beyond — that have been walked for over 1,000 years by people from all over the world. Traditionally, pilgrims made this journey to reach the tomb of Saint James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela, located in Northwestern Spain, where the main cathedral now stands.
There’s no single official starting point — people can begin from many towns or cities — but the idea is the same: to walk (or sometimes cycle) through scenic countryside, small villages, and historic cities as part of a spiritual, cultural, or personal journey. Routes vary in length, terrain, and difficulty, with some walkers completing just the final 100 km (required to earn the official Compostela certificate) and others walking hundreds of miles from farther away.
The Camino isn’t just a walk — for many it’s a meaningful and memorable life experience that blends physical challenge with cultural immersion, history, and personal reflection.
St. James the Apostle was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and is traditionally believed to have brought Christianity to Spain. After his martyrdom in Jerusalem, legend holds that his remains were returned to Galicia, where they were later discovered in what is now Santiago de Compostela. His tomb became one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the Christian world and is the reason pilgrims walk the Camino today. You can read all about the St. James here.
People have been walking the Camino de Santiago for over 1,000 years. The pilgrimage began in the early Middle Ages after the discovery of the tomb of St. James in the 9th century, and it has continued ever since — making it one of the oldest continuously traveled pilgrimage routes in the world.
People from every nationality, every age and every religion walk the Camino. Some do it to enjoy the hike, others for the physical challenge, others to disconnect from the daily routine and some as a pilgrimage for religious reasons. Everybody cherishes the experience, no matter what their motivations. Ultimately it is a journey of self-discovery away from the daily routine, surrounded by a beautiful environment, in the company of other travelers each with their own story.
Walking the Camino is an experience that’s suitable for most people. The level of difficulty for each tour is clearly noted on the tour page, and in general, most of our routes avoid strenuous climbs — you don’t need to be an athlete to walk the Camino. What matters most is having an adventurous spirit and a positive attitude. There’s no rush on the Camino; everyone walks at their own pace. The true focus isn’t on rushing to the next town — many villages are small and simple — but on slowing down and savoring each step of the journey.
This is a much-debated question, as the Camino offers very different experiences depending on the time of year. March and April are quieter months and often feel more reflective and spiritual, though the weather can be unpredictable. May and June are livelier and busier, with more pilgrims on the trail and plenty of opportunities to connect with people from all over the world. September and October can offer beautiful weather, but the Camino is still quite busy, especially in September. While crowds gradually thin as October progresses, it remains a popular time to walk. Ultimately, the best time to walk the Camino is when it fits into your schedule — every season offers something meaningful, and there’s no single “perfect” time to go. Read more in our blog post about the best time of the year to walk the Camino.
The credential is the official document that identifies travelers walking the Camino de Santiago. It’s a long-folded booklet with empty squares for you to get stamps along your journey. This booklet provides a record of where a pilgrim has walked, and it allows the Pilgrim office in Santiago to verify you meet the criteria to earn the Compostela, or certificate of completion.
During the last 100km, you MUST stamp your passport at least twice a day in order to qualify for the certificate. Stamps can be found in hotels, shops, cafes and other places along the way. Each place has a unique and interesting stamp and it’s fun collecting and remembering each stop. The last stamp you will receive is in Santiago at the Pilgrim’s office. At the end of your trip you keep this booklet as a reminder of your journey. When walking with Hike the Way, we mail your credential to you about 30 days before your scheduled trip.
Travelers that walk the last 100 km of the Camino are eligible to receive the official Compostela from the pilgrimage office in Santiago. This is a beautiful certificate in Latin that verifies you have have either walked the last 100km or biked or ridden a horse the last 200km. No tour company can guarantee this certificate, because each person must complete this journey themselves.
To verify that pilgrims are eligible to receive the Compostela, the pilgrim office in Santiago looks at the pilgrim passport to verify they made the walk. Travelers are required to show at least 2 stamps per day (at the starting and ending village of your daily walk) during the last 100 km. All of our guided tours walk the last 100km of the Camino and travelers are eligible for the official Compostela certificate.
A Holy Year (Año Santo Jacobeo) occurs whenever July 25th, the feast day of St. James the Apostle, falls on a Sunday. During a Holy Year, pilgrims who walk the Camino and visit the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela can receive special spiritual benefits, including a plenary indulgence, according to Catholic tradition.
Holy Years typically occur every 6, 5, 6, and 11 years. During these years, the Holy Door of the cathedral is opened, and the Camino sees a significant increase in pilgrims from around the world.
The next Holy Year will be 2027, and it’s expected to be especially busy — many travelers book their Camino well in advance to secure accommodations.
The Camino offers a variety of walking surfaces. Most days include a combination of dirt and forest paths, gravel trails, grassy tracks, stone walkways, and some paved sections, particularly when entering or leaving towns and cities. While much of the route feels peaceful and rural, occasional road walking is unavoidable.
The terrain is generally well-marked and manageable, but it can be uneven, rocky, muddy, or slick depending on the weather and the time of year. Because of this, sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners with good support and traction are important. Trekking poles can also be helpful for stability, especially on descents or after rainy days.
Daily walking distances vary by route, but most days range between 8 and 18 miles. Each tour itinerary lists the mileage for every stage so you have a clear idea of what to expect. Keep in mind that the actual distance you walk may be slightly more or less, depending on the location of your hotel in each town.
Walks are designed to be manageable and unhurried, with plenty of time to take breaks, enjoy the scenery, and walk at your own pace.
In some cases, there may be a village or café partway through a stage where you can stop to rest, but there isn’t always a place to stay overnight between towns. When that’s the case, stages can sometimes be broken up with a vehicle transfer — allowing you to walk part of the day, transfer to your accommodation, and then return to the trail the next morning to continue walking. Availability depends on the route, the stage, and local logistics.
No prior hiking experience is required to walk the Camino. Many people who walk the Camino are not hikers at all. What’s most important is being comfortable walking for several hours a day and preparing with regular walking beforehand. The Camino is not about speed or athletic ability — it’s about walking at your own pace, listening to your body, and enjoying the journey.
Footwear and packing choices are important on the Camino, and we’ve put together detailed guides to help you decide what works best. We recommend reviewing our Camino Shoe Guide and Packing List, which walk through footwear options, what to bring, and what to leave behind:
These guides are based on real Camino experiences and will help you feel confident and prepared before you go.
No, you don’t need to speak Spanish to walk the Camino. Many people along the route speak at least some English, especially in hotels, restaurants, and pilgrim services. That said, knowing a few basic Spanish phrases can be very helpful and is often appreciated by locals.
We’ve put together a list of common Spanish phrases for the Camino to help you feel more confident along the way.
Cell service is generally reliable along most of the Camino, especially in towns and villages, though there may be occasional stretches with limited or no signal in more rural areas. Wi-Fi is available at most hotels, guesthouses, cafés, and restaurants, but connection quality can vary and may be slower in smaller villages.
Many travelers choose to use an international phone plan through their carrier or purchase an eSIM, which can be an easy and affordable way to stay connected while in Spain. It’s still a good idea to plan for intermittent connectivity and embrace the chance to unplug — limited screen time is often one of the unexpected gifts of the Camino.
Accommodations along the Camino are typically small, family-run guesthouses, rural inns, and modest hotels located in the towns and villages you pass through each day. They are clean, comfortable, and welcoming, but generally simple — the Camino is about authenticity rather than luxury.
The accommodations we choose all offer private en-suite bathrooms and include breakfast each morning. Most also provide towels, linens, Wi-Fi, and a hair dryer, so you can pack lightly and travel comfortably.
Here’s a more in-depth guide to accommodations.
In most cases, no. Accommodations along the Camino villages are limited and very small, often with only a handful of rooms in each village. Because of this, there usually aren’t “upgraded” hotels in the traditional sense. We carefully select the best available accommodations directly on the trail, focusing on comfort, location, and character rather than luxury.
In larger towns and cities, like Santiago, upgrades may sometimes be available, and in a few locations there are Paradores (historic state-run hotels) that offer a more upscale experience. Availability varies by route and date, so if you’re interested, let us know and we’re happy to explore options where possible.
Yes — whenever possible, accommodations are located directly on the Camino trail or just a short walk from it. In small villages, this often means you’ll walk right to your door at the end of the day. In larger towns or cities, accommodations may be a few minutes off the trail, but still within easy walking distance of restaurants, churches, and Camino services.
Our goal is always to keep logistics simple so you can focus on walking, resting, and enjoying the journey.
Yes, the accommodations we book for you are private and have en-suite bathrooms with a shower and sometimes a bathtub (you get your own room and your own bathroom). You might have read that albergues have communal bathrooms and shared facilities but we do NOT book albergues at Hike The Way.
Yes, the accommodations that Hike the Way books provide bedding (sheets, blankets, or duvets), towels and basic bathroom amenities. However, if you are not booking with us, keep in mind that albergues (hostels) often require you to bring your own sleeping bag and towels. We do not book albergues at Hike The Way.
Camino hotels are in small villages and amenities are limited. Soap is always provided, but normally nothing else. Bring your own shampoo and conditioner. Toothpaste, toothbrush, and other personal items are not supplied either as a general rule.
Check-in times typically begin in the early to mid-afternoon, usually around 2:00–3:00 PM, though this can vary by accommodation. Check-out is generally in the morning, most often between 10:00–11:00 AM. Because pilgrims arrive on foot throughout the day, they need enough time to turn around the rooms so while there is certain flexibility, you should plan to observe these times. If you arrive too early, there's always a cafe nearby to have lunch or a quick bite while you wait.
Breakfast along the Camino is typically simple but satisfying. Most accommodations provide a light breakfast that may include coffee or tea, bread or toast, pastries, jam, fruit, yogurt, and sometimes eggs or cheese. In smaller villages, breakfast reflects what’s locally available and may be more modest.
If you prefer something heartier, many cafés along the route open early and offer additional options. Breakfast is meant to fuel your walk rather than be elaborate — lunch and dinner are where meals tend to become more social and substantial.
Generally, no. Accommodations along the Camino are typically small, family-run places and do not usually include in-room amenities like microwaves, coffee makers, or refrigerators. In some larger towns or hotels, these may be available, but they are the exception rather than the rule.
If you have two people in a room, you can choose between DOUBLE and TWIN room. DOUBLE rooms will have one full bed for two people. A TWIN room has two twin beds for two people. A SINGLE room will have a single twin bed.
The number of DOUBLE rooms is limited, so while we always try and accommodate this request, at some locations your room might have two twin beds instead of one double. If you reserve a TWIN room you are guaranteed two beds in the room always.
There are no triple rooms on the Camino.
Some hotels will have laundry facilities on-site or will charge a fee for laundry. This is common in the larger cities but not so in the smaller villages. Most villages will have a laundromat in town instead.
Most accommodations will close during winter (late November - late February). All public albergues close during the winter and private accommodations are limited during the off season.
Pricing shown on our website is per person in double accommodations. That means that every two people in your party will be sharing a room and each of them will pay the price shown. Travelers can request a SINGLE room for themselves and in this case, the price that would apply to each person in a single room will be the price shown plus a "single supplement". The amount of the single supplement varies per tour and is shown on the page for the specific tour.
Each morning, you’ll leave your main piece of luggage in the hotel lobby by 8:30 a.m. before you start walking. We’ll pick it up and transport it to your next accommodation. When you arrive at the end of the day, your luggage will be waiting for you, so you only need to carry what you want for the day’s walk.
Your luggage can be the same size as a standard airline checked bag but the important thing is the weight, as there are strict limitations on the Camino. The maximum allowed weight is 20 kg (44 lbs).
Only one bag per person is included in the price. If you would like to transfer more than one, let us know and we'll quote the price for that.
Yes—we advise you to book your own flights, as this is more cost-efficient and gives you more flexibility than having to go through us when your plans change. It also allows you to use frequent flier miles for reservations and upgrades. If you’d prefer assistance, we’re happy to help with flight planning or booking—just let us know.
Most travelers fly into Madrid, unless you’re starting your Camino in Porto or Lisbon. From Madrid, it’s an easy train ride to most Camino starting points. Once you reach Santiago, it’s a 3 hour train ride back to Madrid to depart. There is a section on each tour page called "Getting There" that shows options for getting to/from your Camino starting and end points.
About 8 weeks before departure, you should begin booking your train tickets. Schedules do not publish before that, so don't worry if you don't see them on the site. We recommend booking only through Renfe.com, the official website of the Spanish train system.
Yes. We’re happy to help with train bookings and transfer arrangements as part of your Camino planning. Once your itinerary is confirmed, we’ll guide you on the best options and can assist with booking to make your travel days as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Private transfer can be arranged to take you to the start or from the end of your Camino. Many people prefer a private transfer to Porto to Santiago or nearby destination.
Absolutely. Train tickets should be booked as soon as they’re available. Prices increase the longer you wait, and trains do sell out, especially during peak travel seasons.
Yes. You’re welcome to arrive early or extend your stay after the Camino. We can help you reserve these extra nights at the beginning and/or the end but we recommend requesting those together with your initial Camino reservation. That way we can make sure you stay at the same hotel on the extra nights. Otherwise, you may find out that there is no room later on and you have to move hotels.
We recommend reserving your Camino trip as early as possible, especially if you plan to walk during popular months like May or September. For these months it is typical to book 9 months in advance, and some accommodations fill up even earlier.
That doesn't mean that we won't be able to find room for your dates, but booking early gives you the best selection of accommodations and preferred walking stages, and it allows plenty of time to plan travel details. Holy Years need to be booked 12-18 months in advance if you're planning to go during peak months.
Travel insurance is optional but strongly recommended to protect your financial investment. Plans change and there are unpredictable events that can affect your trip. Whether it is for medical reasons or other personal circumstances, it helps to have the peace of mind that travel insurance provides. Things can happen when you are traveling, such as losing your luggage or suffering an injury while abroad. Travel Insurance is for your own protection.
Once your trip deposit is paid, we’ll promptly send you full details about travel insurance.
No problem! We only list the most popular routes online. If you’re interested in a Camino route that’s not listed on our website, please contact us by filling out our Custom Tours form. We’re happy to explore custom options and help design the Camino that’s right for you.
Yes, absolutely. The Camino is very welcoming to solo travelers, and many of our guests walk on their own while enjoying the companionship of fellow pilgrims along the way. We arrange comfortable accommodations, provide support throughout your journey, and are always available if you need assistance, so you can feel confident walking solo.
You’ll be fully supported throughout your Camino. We arrange your accommodations, luggage transfers, and provide detailed route information before you depart. While you walk independently at your own pace, our team is available 24/7 by phone to assist with questions or unexpected issues during your journey.
Before your trip, we’ll mail our exclusive Welcome Packet directly to your door, an essential part of your Camino preparation. This packet is designed to help you feel confident, informed, and truly ready for the journey ahead. It allows you to begin connecting with the Camino before you even arrive in Spain.
Inside, you’ll find your personalized day-by-day itinerary and hotel list, clear guidelines for luggage transfers, and our 24/7 support phone number in Spain, so help is always just a call away. You’ll also receive luggage tags, your official pilgrim’s passport (credencial), a scallop shell to attach to your backpack as a symbol of the Camino, and a waterproof pouch to protect important items along the way.
This carefully curated packet ensures you arrive prepared, supported, and ready to fully enjoy your Camino experience.
Yes. While credit cards are widely accepted in Spain, it’s a good idea to carry some Euros in cash for small cafés, rural towns, and places that don’t accept cards. ATMs are easy to find in major cities and are readily available once you arrive in Spain, so you can withdraw local currency there. This usually is the most economical way to obtain Euros rather than bringing them from the US. Check with your bank about using your ATM card abroad for relevant exchange rates and fee information.
Spain uses Type C and Type F plugs, with a standard voltage of 220V. If you’re traveling from the U.S. or another country, you’ll need an adapter. Make sure you check your charger to verify that it will operate at 220V (most modern laptops and cellphone chargers will). If it does, you just need a type C or F plug adapter. We recommend bringing a small, lightweight adapter that works throughout Europe. If your charger does not support 220V, don't bring it.