Did Camino in 2013 I was 65 yrs. I trained for a year because I had never hiked before. PREPARATION is the most important part. I researched what to take etc. got fitted for a Backpack at REI. Tried out sock and shoe combos until I found what worked for me. Smart wool socks and Keen hiking boot ankle high. Also took sturdy flip flops for after hiking. 2 t shirts 2 zip off hiking pants 1 long sleeve nylon base layer shirt. Fleece jacket from Costco Waterproof rain jacket light weight from Costco. 1 skirt. Shampoo bar from Lush. Wash my hair, my body, and my clothes with it. 1 lightweight sleeping bag- rolled up really small in my back pack. I recommend bring some kind of roll up bag that you can take you stuff to the shower in. Also. An “S” hook for shower etc. sometimes there were no hooks in shower to hang clothes. I hiked end of April into May. Always carried my. Back. I weigh 170 lbs. my full pack weighed 16 pounds including water. I am a female. Also bring clothes pins. Some places didn’t have them. Also something to read like a kindle. This trip was life changing went by myself from California. Met a many wonderful people along the way. Buen Camino. TAKE TREKING POLES. Carried backpack on plane checked poles in a tube. If they got lost I could buy more. They were cheap from Walmart. Left them in Spain. Never had a blister or any other health issue. PREPARATION PREPARATION

@kelmar36

3 жыл бұрын

Great advice. Thanks for sharing your list.

@jjquinn2004

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the very informative comment. I'll be 67 in September and if the covid is under control, I hope to celebrate it in Santiago as I finish (April/May 2021 is my backup plan.) Question: what trail did you hike and where did you begin?

@happyinhershey7116

11 ай бұрын

Great advise.

@gloriasalazar6860

10 ай бұрын

Great tips, saving ideas😎

@Medevicerep

4 ай бұрын

Excellent feedback, thanks for sharing.

Don’t go in the summer months and avoid the race to the albergue to get a bed. Go in early march. Beautiful weather and just the right amount of people.

@hopet2552

2 жыл бұрын

Good to know. Thank you.

@zippsy

Жыл бұрын

… unless they read your message.

@thecabooseattheendofthetra9260

Жыл бұрын

@@zippsy I'll be going in early March now after reading his message ;)

@daisychains512

Жыл бұрын

I'm doing the camino next year, starting in late March and going through April. What kind of clothes did you pack? I'm starting to think about packing and I'm wondering what is typical to wear on the Camino in late March/April.

@peterbridge9394

Жыл бұрын

Good video covering important basics. Well done.

I did the Camino with: - adidas terrex two shoes - 2 pair of antiblister socks - 2 tshirts - 1 fake thermoball from dectalon - north face goretex jacket -32 liters north face bag - 2 sticks - 1 sleeping bag 15C and another liner slim to keep away from bedbugs down - Motivation - 1 sport short trousers - 1 large sport trousers It was enough

@julesmbc

4 жыл бұрын

I'm newbie here, your list is so simple, and truly enjoy hearing what others have brought along, so thank you! Ps... Love how "motivation"' came before your trousers lol :)

@annabellenacov2084

3 жыл бұрын

Bedbugs????

@kennethmoore6288

3 жыл бұрын

Annabelle Nacov --It is the gift that keeps on giving.....😬😬😬

@santbr

3 жыл бұрын

So you did laundry along the way, right?

@ESPendatos

3 жыл бұрын

@@santbr yes! I did it everyday after walking. It’s better to carry only a soap than more clothes!

Thank you, Dixie! For me Camino Francés AND Camino Finisterra/Muxía loop, 2017: TOTAL COST, $2,328.41, of which $900.33 was transportation, Denver to Barcelona (two days in Barcelona), bus, taxi to St. Jean, then Santiago, Madrid (two days in Madrid), Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Denver. Forty-eight days total so rounding up to $2,400/48 is $50/day. Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous time!

@o_o............

3 жыл бұрын

Wow, mine was around 400, around 50€ for the flights and less than 10€ a day (tarp)

I have said it before but I will say it again for the benefit of newcomers to this video. I walked the Camino Francais starting in Le Puy en Velay (another 700k to the east of France) and so spent 7 weeks getting to Santiago de Compostella. By far...the most important piece of kit for me...was silicone earplugs. The snorers in the dormitories used to drive me absolutely bananas. I know that the silicone earplugs take some getting used to as they amplify the sound of your own breathing and you are cut off from what is going on around you and for some, this may be too much. But for anyone out there like me that cannot stand snorers. Silicone earplugs!!! Thank me later.

@dumbingitdownwithdave7175

3 жыл бұрын

I wear earplugs in my own house and I'm wearing a CPAP mask. So I don't snore. But I love the deep quiet anyway. Great suggestion.

@123benny4

3 жыл бұрын

Walking the camino, I got so tired and had no trouble falling asleep. You get used to the noise and the snoring eventually. I'm used to privacy and sleeping on my own but I was surprised how I slept with no problem.

@argentum3919

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking of that when I saw the dorms and thought no freaking way. I'm not a dormitory type guy, I need my privacy and I can't stand snorers. After a tiring walk I definitely want my own room and shower.

@michaeledwards7967

2 жыл бұрын

@@argentum3919 a major advantage of dorms is they really cut down the expenses. They are very cheap and generally pretty good with cooking and wifi.

@argentum3919

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaeledwards7967 how much per night?

I did the camino 3 times. And this is what i carry: - osprey aether 60 AG backpack - osprey 60 liter backpack liner - 2 icebreaker merino wool shirts - 2 fjallraven G2000 trousers (1 zip off 1 normal) - 1 cheap fleece long sleeve - 1 eidler coat (the only rain gear i use) - 3 pair smartwool sock - 1 pair meindl low cut hiking boots - 1 pair of keens sandals - 1 pair of leiki carbon hiking poles - 1 medium size travel towel (fast drying) - synthetic sleeping bag (cheap one from decathlon) - 1 cocoon sleeping liner - osprey 2,5 liter hydraulics drink system - some travel organizers to put your stuff in - some small various stuff as a toothbrush and toothpaste, a 3 way wall plug (so you change 1 power outlet into 3) a head torch, tweezers, nail clippers, 1 charger for my phone/wireless earbuds smartwatch And as an luxury item last year i carried my nikon DSLR camera with 2 lenses. All weighted in about 9 kilograms including the camera gear.

@plusbonus1165

4 жыл бұрын

Excellent list , thanks for the input .

@Ekorrex

4 жыл бұрын

Did you not eat?

@yorickster2253

4 жыл бұрын

@@Ekorrex i ate a pelgrim meal in the cities or i did choose an albergue who provided an meal. For breakfast i always ate in the next village or city withba cup of coffee.

@YourWingmam

4 жыл бұрын

yorick verheijen what time of year do you recommend going? 🙏

@steveclayton4249

4 жыл бұрын

@@YourWingmam Hi Wingmam, love your channel. I went in May and the weather was great. Not too warm, late teens, early to mid 20s. Rained one day. Regards Steve, UK.

When I did it I was 8 and we did 100 kilometres in 5 days. My dad is a bit crazy but it is one of the funniest happiest memories I have. My gear consisted of my school bag, two shoes, couple underwear and clothes and a kids walking stick (taller than me) 😂. I’m going to do it again this year after 11 years and I’m so excited is crazy. This time we are going to do it longer. Is crazy how things change in a decade.

I did 42 days, from St Jean to Finisterra and then back to Santiago. Total cost £1600 not including transportation. My main costs were absorbed in taking advantage of the pilgrim menus and local wines. Accommodation is generally €5-8 a night, but it's easy to spend €20 a day on food and coffee. The start of the camino around France and Pamplona was a bit more expensive because you hit a few cities and big towns where it's easier the spend money. The cheapest part of the camino is the middle section where it's mostly small villages. In terms of gear, I didn't buy anything in particular. Some people recommended hiking boots, but I wore a good pair of running trainers because the camino terrain is not rough or difficult so I didn't see the value in chunky leather boots. Along the way I found that people who had bought trail runners were much happier with their feet than those who had hiking boots (many complaints about breathability and blisters). If you want to keep your costs down, my advice is: Spend as little time as possible in the cities Take advantage of supermarkets whenever you can (get a baguette and a tortilla de patatas for a couple of euros and that will be plenty for breakfast and lunch. Also, if you're a coffee drinker, get a pot of instant for your pack. This will save you so much!) Do things as a collective - if you have made some friends, try to split meal costs or share equipment where possible Get a Monzo/Revolut/Starling bank card so you don't have withdrawal fees Try not to smoke or drink alcohol (easier said than done for some of us) Look either for donativos or auberges with a kitchen. Take a hammock with you - I found that a lot of money gets spent during rest periods, like you sit in a cafe for a couple of hours to avoid the hottest part of the day and then you spend 5,6,7 euros. Instead, I'd put my hammock up in a park under a nice shady tree and have a nap or read my book. I also did some night walks during the camino, which meant I was able to save money on the cost of an Auberge and I could sleep in a hammock whenever I found a good spot. Me and my friends also slept in a park in Viana just outside Logrono which was pretty fun. So yeah, my money mostly went on indulgence, and I was in a group of 7 people where the cheapest person spent only £800 (compared to my £1600) - so I know I was a bit reckless. Heading to Pamplona in July to walk the camino for a second time this summer. Thank goodness the borders are opening!

My flight to Europe and back were free as I am retired military and can fly on military aircraft for free. I wore a $20 pair of hiking boots from Walmart. My Osprey pack cost $140 and pretty much everything else I took I already owned. Still one of the best experiences of my life!

@Nonameagain80

4 жыл бұрын

If you work for fedex cargo, can also fly for free :)

@johnfossing6790

4 жыл бұрын

hey rick, I just got out of the Marines (did 6 years, honorable discharge). How do you go about getting these free military flights? Cheers

@spencerlopez2972

3 жыл бұрын

John Fossing space a. You have to be retired, if you’re a vet and want to take advantage of it

@hawkdriver68

3 жыл бұрын

Hopefully they reinstate the program again soon... (CoViD Hold) Also, not free. Still have to pay certain taxes and fees. Though it is minimal. : )

@LetsDanceTampa

2 жыл бұрын

@@johnfossing6790 Do you have the blue retiree I D card? Must do 20 years Active or be discharged on a medical discharge to get it. Otherwise no Space A. Retirees are Category 6 (out of 6 categories) amd last priority. But still a great deal!

El Camino Frances was awesome! 😍 So much fun! Met so many awesome people! I loved the Donativos and spent more there because they do a great job and are so friendly. I washed every evening. Don't leave toilet paper in nature, please!!!!!! It's terrible! Along the way my backpack got smaller and smaller. 😅 You really don't need much, but two good pairs of special hiking antiblister socks is a must. And shoes that are comfortable and well used. I also had: Walking sticks (must have) Silk sheets (the best!) A thin silk towel A soap for washing clothes and body. Three pairs of thin underwear Two bras Two long, thin dresses One pair of long, thin pants. One pair of shorts. One pair of half-long, silk underpants (to not get sore on the inside of the thighs) One t-shirt One thin bolero with long arms (against the sun) One thin hoody A pair of plastic shoes (for relaxing and showering) plaster, some safety needles Vaseline (to put on the feet) Antiperspirant deo Two small water bottles (just bought along the way to be safe) A hat ( ! ) Sunglasses (over my ordinary glasses) Plastic hiking cutlery, box and mug (hardly ever used) Sanitary towels, thin. A thin raincoat (useless, I got more wet from wearing it so I stopped using it, threw it out eventually, and got dry faster after the rain) A guidebook (I took out the pages as I walked) Sunscreen, but didn't use it much. I covered up. Passport, mastercard. Pilgrim passport. An osprey backpack, middle size. It weighed in total under 5 kg most of the time.

Thank you for a great video. I have walked along the Camino 4 times. In total, I have done just over 1,000 kilometers. I ship my bag (I am a small female septuagenarian) I never bought anything new for it. My old running shoes (in fact, discards from my granddaughter which were new but her sister called then Granny Mobiles so she didnèt want to wear them anymore), my everyday trousers... I already had everyhing in my closet (all from second-hand stores). The reason I am saying it is just to reassure would-be pilgrims that you don't need anything particular apart perhaps from a good quality backpack if you are carrying it. Although I shipped my bag, I made sure it weighed little so that I could carry it whenever I had to. For laundry, often many pilgrims would combine clothes into a load but usually, handwashing was ok. I wore synthetic socks from the dollar store. I often walked over 25 k and never got blisters. By the way, bag transfer: Froom Saint-Jean-Pied-dePort, 8 Euros but I asked my host to hold on to my bag for an extra day and to ship it to Roncesvalles instead of Orisson. In Spain, at the beginning, the cost is 5 Euros; further, is is sometimes only 4 euros and even 3 euros closer to Santiago. Some companies will give you a 4 Euro rate if you book it all in advance but I would not like to do that. I only plan one day at a time. Thank you again and Buen Camino.

If you are flying and want to use carry on baggage (cheaper), don’t take trekking poles, buy some at a local decathlon (super cheap) or pick some up at an Albergue for free (they are often left behind). Also you can hike out to the airport from Santiago and save yourself taxi cost.

I did the camino de santiago (the north way) in 2013, and the best tip that I can give for saving in food / accommodation is to let the owners of the restaurants or hotels put their stamp on your pilgrim passport (you need a pilgrim passport) to get a discount. Each meal, like you describe, and others really gourmet, (always with the wine) cost me like 3 to 5 euros top. Thesame thing in the hotels, I used to pay between 8 and 10 euros the night, with breakfast included, when the pilgrim hospitals was full. I ended up sleeping in a spa one night, with all included for 10 euros thanks to my pilgrim passport. Buen Camino !

@jwestfalldavis3574

3 жыл бұрын

Where do you get a Pilgrim Passport?

@miliofuentes

3 жыл бұрын

@@jwestfalldavis3574 you can get it in any Pilgrim's hospital, or in any place of the "amigos del camino" (way's friends)

@jwestfalldavis3574

3 жыл бұрын

@@miliofuentes Thank you.

I spent ~600€ on 34 days in the Camino del Norte (traveling excluded), eating almost as good at my own home. You can absolutely do it with a tight budget.

@charliepearton9596

3 жыл бұрын

Everyone has to travel to get there. So it's not the true cost is ur 600Euro

@kobold90

3 жыл бұрын

@@charliepearton9596 Depending on where you live, travelling to the camino costs maybe 50€.

@o_o............

3 жыл бұрын

@@charliepearton9596 Mine was around 400, ~50€ for the flights and less than 10€ a day (tarp)

I found the Camino Portugues slightly cheaper overall than the Camino Frances. I would advise, if possible, carrying more than one card so that you have a backup in case of problems. Machine laundry can be cheaper when shared with fellow pilgrims. I would also budget a bit for entrance fees to cathedrals, the castle in Ponferrada, etc. There is often a pilgrim discount but there is often a fee (for entry and/or the audio tour) and it is worth it.

@HeineOlsen

4 жыл бұрын

i agree :)

You are always so helpful informing your fans how they, too, may enjoy the same journeys you enjoy. Thank you. One reason I enjoy your posts. All success to you in the future.

I am always totally amazed at the detail you put into your videos: Great Work!

Season's Greetings, Dixie. I'm so glad you posted this information. All the while we were following your sister hike with Montana we were wondering about daily expenses - food, lodging, beverages (adult and otherwise), and incidentals, like Montana's visit to the podiatrist. Now we have a much better idea! Will you ever do a reflective video on your feelings re: your Camino experience? It would be nice to hear how it added to your growth as a person, your understanding of another culture, your overall outlook on life and your place in the grand scheme of things. You mentioned a few times that you're not a particularly "religious" person, but everyone, religious or not, has a deeply personal side, something we might collectively call a spirit or a soul, the essence of who they are. How did the Camino, and your time in Europe for that matter, affect the innermost Jessica Mills? You've talked about that some in your vlogs coming off of the AT, PCT, and CDT, so we're hoping you'll also do some introspection and reflection from your Camino as well. Merry Christmas, and best wishes for 2020 and all that it holds in store. Cheers.

I hope you both had a good experience. I walked the Camino twice and it changed my life. Thanks for sharing!

Great summary of the Camino and costs. One thing not mentioned when using your card to get cash from ATMs is the "conversion or exchange rate" I found it better not to accept the "conversion" at the ATM and simply say no conversion.

Well done Dixie. Again you make many of us feel we can take on a new adventure. And for those of us who can't...the vicarious trip with you is worth a great deal. BTW...new hair look - looks great. Thx for the efforts.

Good information Dixie! Thankyou and happy 2020!!

having done the Camino myself. this is a great blog. very accurate

Awesome video!!! Love your videos about the PCT!!!

Thank you so much for that video. It answered alot of my questions. Good flight information too.

I did the portuguese camino in january of 2019 with: -Karrimor leopard 65 (50€) -Berg Sleeping Bag (12€) -Quechua Rain Poncho (5€) -Quechua Rain Pants (10€) -Quechua Rain Jacket (30€) -1 Quechua warmth jacket (12€) -2 Quechua warmth shits (8€) -2 Quechua base layers shirts (5€) -1 Hiking pants (20€) -4 pairs of berg hiking socks (3€) -5 underwear -1 flashlight (2€) -1 Pair of merrel's - First aid kit -1 travel towel (fast drying) It was enough for me :D

@mystique7000

3 жыл бұрын

Olá Fábio! O saco cama da berg serviu bem? Não tiveste frio?

@fabiocunha211

3 жыл бұрын

@@mystique7000 Sim, serviu na perfeição :D

After seeing your journey the Camino is now on my hiking bucket list. Can’t wait to see your journey on the TA

@baltasarmelchor935

2 жыл бұрын

the most important thing is to have a well-trained foot. XD

One reason I did the camino was because it was a cheap vacation. And it was. If you live on the basics and stay at the municipal alberques, you're not going to spend much. Had to stay in a few private hostel which was a bit much but it's still regulated by the government. I splurged maybe 3 times and stayed at a cheap hotel when I wanted to stay a couple days in one place to recuperate a bit. That was worth it, but still cheap.

Very helpful intel Thank You for sharing 💕

Thanks for all this info! I was a bit unsure about whether to take on the Way of St. James, as usually I hike more mountainous routes. But this trail is becoming increasingly alluring as a 'change'.. I've started re-watching all of your Camino videos as a result. I'd like to camp it though as much as possible to keep costs down. Thanks Dixie, and wishing you a merry Christmas and happy hiking new year!

@domo3552

2 жыл бұрын

@@Piggybank80828 no... covid etc. 😔

Great video. Good information. Thank you.

I was following you now for a while. One collegae of mine was talking about the the Camino and I’m very interested and doing some research how to begin from the Netherlands. Nice to know you did it 2.

Hey . Thanks for this information , I like to see more video of you in the Camino thanks , really helpful.

Very wise advice about atm fees, and exchange rate fees. Some cc do not charge exchange rate fees, call your card company to find which ones do not. Also notifying your bank and cc company of your travel is a must. I did have a card cancelled. They were trying to call me, but no cell service, so they closed the card down. They had to overnight a new card, that was a problem. Dixie you always have your act together. Let's get Montana to do a post hike video again. Thanks

Thank you for taking us on your Camino 🙏

So much useful information! Thank you!

very good video!! thanks for all the info Dixie!!!

Thanks for the tips, very useful.

Great video ! Detailed information , very nice !

Merry Christmas 🦌⛄🎄🎅 Thanks you for another year of informative and entertaining stuff....

We find picnics good for lunch and very economical: ham, cheese, bread, olives etc

Very helpful info! Time to put it to work 😃

We checked our backpacks in army duffels along with our trekking poles in tubes. Then! Stuffed the duffels into the tubes and shipped them to our hotel in Santiago. The hotel happily held our package until we arrived.

@julierawlins5984

2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant! May I ask which hotel?

@julierawlins5984

2 жыл бұрын

Oh and did you use Fedex and where would you find a tube large enough to hold a duffel?

I did the Portuguese Coastal Way. My pack was the ZPacks Nero, two water bottles, Sunbrella from Six Moon Design, 2 Patagonia shorts, couple pairs darn tuff socks, sunscreen, one long sleeve button down with sun protection spf, two short sleeve wicking shirts, m10 anorak, alpine mid layer, one pair of long hiking pants used them when sun was hot on my calves. Trekking piles with rubber covers for tips, phone, charger, sunglasses, watch, i carried a rfid proof money belt for my cash, cards and passport, toothbrush and paste, wide brimmed hat, 2 buffs, columbia or Huk fisherman’s gloves, sunscreen, lifestraw for a few water sources that aren’t recommended you drink from, otherwise water can be bought or you can fill up. I personally liked the agua grande bottles the various places had and they were cold. Ask for water because many times it is hidden from view.

Excellent info!! Thank you very much!!👌🏼🤓

So many great memories out of this! Super well explained. Definitely miss the Pilgrim's Menu :)

Great video and very well explained.

We spent $40 a day on the Camino Norte in Summer 2019. Best way to save money at a bar is to ask for "Agua del grifo". That's a glass of tap water with no charge. It's GREAT when you forget to bring your water bottle.

North Face Terra 65 pack, $189: Comfortable fit, solid construction, and high water resistance. Danner Tachyon 8 inch Desert boots: $108: These boots are super comfortable, durable, and keep your feet cool. I need an over the ankle boot because I have chronic ankle problems and need the extra support. Zero pain and the only time I got a blister was when I swapped out my REI socks for a pair of socks I bought on the Camino Frances. REI medium weight socks x3 pair: $60 total. Socks were comfortable and wicked moisture, but did have to be repaired with a sewing kit during the Camino. North Face Rain Jacket: $75. Was completely unusable because It was like wearing a rubber jacket. Caused extreme overheating even in very chilly and wet weather. Typically I just sucked it up and walked in the rain in my t shirt. khul long sleeve button up shirt. $65. Great for chilly mornings or evenings. Khul hiking shorts, cargo type. $50-75. These were my preferred hiking bottoms. Extremely comfortable with little friction or rubbing. Did not wear out during the Camino. Khul medium weight trousers. $70. Great for hiking on chilly days but tended to rub between my legs leaving hot spots or blisters. Microfiber t-shirts x 2. $90 total. Great for moisture wicking and keeping me cool. I tend to overheat, so these were lifesavers. I brought 2 so I could rotate and not do laundry every day. Standard t-shirt $12. Worn for zero days and post-hiking once we were done for the day. exercise shorts $15. Also worn on zero days and when done hiking for the day. REI Sleeping bag liner $80. I gotta disagree with Dixie here. I loved using the sleeping bag liner rather than an actual sleeping bag. I never had problems with bed bugs, but knew the liner would be way easier to disinfect in a dryer or washer than a bag. Plus I always sleep hot so a full bag indoors was going to be way too much insulation for me. Plus, carrying a liner saves you from carrying a bunch of unneeded weight and saves room in your pack. If these issues matter to you as much as they did to me, go with the liner. REI Headlamp, $30. Great if you get caught on trail when it is dark, especially if you are near high traffic roads. Gives you a chance to be seen by drivers. Just don’t use them in the Alburgues early in the morning! Be courteous to those who are trying to sleep. Use the red light function in those cases if the ambient lighting truly is not enough around other people. Carbon fiber collapsing Trekking poles $40. These were worth the investment. They save so much stress on your ankles and knees, help when climbing hills, and give added balance to reduce tripping. They collapse for easy transportation and storage. Keep in mind if traveling to or from the US that the TSA will require you to check these. REI 60 L pack cover. $25. Worked lik

@davidberg1719

4 жыл бұрын

Comment continued: pack cover worked like a charm. My gear was always dry at the end of a rainy day. Plus it is reflective, so you have some additional protection in high traffic areas during low visibility. REI Dry sack $15. I used this to store valuables and electronics that I wanted to give a little extra protection. Worked great to keep accountability for those items that one can lose easily. Shower shoes: $15. You will need these if you plan on staying in Alburgues on the Camino. No need to get foot funk! Also good for airing out your feet after a long day of walking. You can get these cheaply anywhere. Toiletries kit: $20. Small toothpaste, travel toothbrush, small body wash, nail clipper, travel sewing kit, meds, sunscreen, and bodyglide. Dixie is right, there is an expectation of hygiene on the Camino. That’s my list. I brought more clothing than needed because I didn’t want to do laundry every day. To each their own though. Buen Camino!

I'm thinking of doing the camino this year, after a few years of procrastination, thanks for the video, has given me some useful tips

Thanks for all the helpful information about preparing for the Camino on your channel. I do have a question for you? Do you normally check your backpack when flying to Europe? The carry on dimension size restrictions are about 24" X 14" X 9" which many backpacks ( mine included) don't meet. If you have any suggestions on what you found to be the best way to get your backpack to and from Europe along with any problems you have run into it would be greatly appreciated.

Loved your Camino🧡💜💚💛

You are a very warm hearted person even if you sleep cold. I would not assume that the cafes etc on a busy route would be cheaper because of more customers. The walkers could well have more money to spend than the locals and they have less time to look around for the cheaper establishments. They also may be largely seasonal business, with few people walking in the winter, so up their prices to pay for when they have no customers.

@Anhalterify

4 жыл бұрын

I disagree. Usually, where there is most people, there is more options, hence more competition. I noticed at times, that in smaller and/or remote villages with little choice, prices where higher than in more frequented places. Not that it matters much, spain is still rather inexpensive, but let's say, one place u pay 12€ for dinner, the other 8€. edit: same goes for quality in my experience. But of course, there are lots of exceptions from that observation

@robopecha

4 жыл бұрын

i was suprised too, because usually places that are frequented by tourists are pricier then the rest of the town/towns without tourists.

@alyboe2

4 жыл бұрын

I walked a few caminos and my experience is that prices are in general the same on all the camino's. Tourists dont visit the albergues for pelgrims. They go to the hotels i think. I can really recomment the Via de la Plata from Sevilla to Santiago. Thank you Dixie for your posts. They are very helpful for me to prepare the pct that i want to walk.

@alyboe2

4 жыл бұрын

I have to add something to my comment. In Spain the prices of the albergues are in general the same but the beds on the camino's outside of Spain are much more expensive!

I did the whole French Way with my pack on my back... except the last 2 days where I splurged and used a courier van to carry my pack forward. And then I wondered why I had insisted on suffering so long! Pride is a silly thing. When I first did the Camino in 2010, there were no vans. This year (2019), one of the hostel owners told me that ~75% of pilgrims are using the courier vans! It’s such a cheap service (usually 3-5€ per etapa) in exchange for not feeling like you’re going to die at the end of the day. If I do a Camino again in the future, I will definitely use the service earlier.

@thisorthat7626

3 жыл бұрын

Capri Joy, nice tip. Instead of a beer at night, maybe I will have a van take my pack. :)

@Tropicalpisces

3 жыл бұрын

You're supposed to walk the Camino to suffer. It isnt supposed to be a cakewalk. I bet youd get a cart if you golfed.

@capricayoung9764

3 жыл бұрын

@@Tropicalpisces HYOH. The Camino is for everyone - young or old, healthy or disabled. If you want to suffer, that is your journey. Based on how you like to tell people what to do and how to live, you’re probably already suffering everyday.

@Tropicalpisces

3 жыл бұрын

@@capricayoung9764 thank you for your backhanded words.

@karenthomson8092

11 ай бұрын

@@Tropicalpisces this is a totally ridiculous comment, I've got a fused left hip and artificial right hip (second one), but I love walking, but once I carry a heavy backpack (and actually not so heavy at all) then it aggravates my hip and I wouldnt be able to sleep, I would already be suffering with my hips anyway and it would be a huge achievement for me to do something like this (and something I've always dreamt of) and I think the only way it would be possible is to utilise the option of a courier. Comments like this are really upsetting, like as if I would almost be cheating because I'm not suffering enough, when in reality Id be suffering more than most anyway!

Great info.! Thanks , Dixie. Our Camino was through September, and very hot. Liner would have been plenty for sleeping. Cost range seems right on, 30-50€ daily. This allows for occasional treats, such as a private room, or unexpected treatments like massage, physio, etc..

@me-lg1yw

Жыл бұрын

Did you treat your liner with permethrin to prevent bedbugs?

Definitely on my list now.

There will also be "cultural" expenses, for example visits to all the large cathedrals on the tour are paid, between $5 and $10, except for Santiago de Compostela, which is free. Another expense that we can have is the changes or additions of equipment, for example umbrellas in the area of Galicia or material that has to be replaced because of breakage of the one we have and because sometimes we forget something in the hostel and we do not realize until the next day. All the details explained by Dixie are very accurate, it can simply be more expensive the other paths that are not the French. Also the time of year. Almost all the ways of Santiago can be done in the middle of winter, but many hostels are closed at that time, so the cost of accommodation is multiplied by 3 or 4.

We flew from JFK to Barajas on Iberia. In my channel, I showed how to get to St. Jean Pied de Port from the US to Madrid, then Pamplona to St. Jean by bus. I found that it was the cheapest route for most of the passengers. I say that because, I am an airline pilot and my family travels very cheap anyway. I would also recommend your viewer to go to their local bank before the trip and request to exchange dollars for Euros. The banks do that service and usually takes two weeks for the transaction. So if they know when they arre traveling, they can arrive to Europe with Euros and save much more on these fees.

@JV-pd8wg

2 жыл бұрын

What’s your channel?

@BDETravels

2 жыл бұрын

@@JV-pd8wg bde travels…kzread.info/dash/bejne/iJWisZejd8-siNo.html

Great vid. thanks. Snail at the end was a good touch.

Water from fountains, don't go cheap on food. If there's a bakery nearby, buy something. Go with the hostel/albergue most nights and a private room once every few days. Some kind of sleep liner and pillow cover. Comfortable trail shoes, a nail clipper and band-aids for your toes and heals. Hiking poles. Sun hat. Raincoat depending on time of year. Go light. Enjoy.

Great video...very informative. How does it work for say the french way? do you just rock up and start walking the next day? would you recommend pre booking accomadation?

Great advise, thanks

Great video Dixie 😊

On my channel I did a video on the costs of Camino and I literally began the video by saying that this video says all that needs to be said about budget. I tried to give some luxury vs budget options though. Much has changed with COVID, but that is changing too fast to keep up with it. I still recommend this one above all the other budget videos.

Nice tips. Trying to establish a budget is so hard, as there are so many variables and we all have different expectations 🙂

Great video, very helpful. Could I do it in trail running shoes or should I get proper hiking boots/shoes?

Thank you for the information

Food and lodging were cheap. I've probably spend the most money on cerveza.

@floridaswampmonkey

4 жыл бұрын

Is this past present or hypothetical it's hard to tell by your use of English

@floridaswampmonkey

4 жыл бұрын

You should have said spent or maybe even I'd not I've

@RagingWhoremoans

4 жыл бұрын

@@floridaswampmonkey I'm very sorry. Thanks for caring enough to correct me.

@LZ-un7ky

3 жыл бұрын

😀

@danielpicon8012

2 жыл бұрын

I would keep it safe and healthy and stick to agua

Thanks so much for sharing so much wonderful information about your Camino. Please tell me if you carried your own hot spot for WiFi while you were in Europe? Thank you!

Thanks for the detailed information. Suggestion: I'd like to see a playlist with all your thru-hike-costs videos in one place so they're easier to find.

Thank you very much for this video, helped to figure out the best possible way to save money

What, you didn't have roadside lunch picnics? Queso Iberico, Chorizo and olives stay good even in warm weather!

On the Camino cash not card is king. The pandemic may have changed this but I doubt it, hopefully I can put it to the test soon. The culture in Spain (and Portugal) is to avoid handling charges and not create a paper trail to avoid the bureaucracy (and tax maybe) so you can get through a lot of paper money. Also many of the small business don't like taking a big denomination note (even a €20) so planning ATM use and remembering to break down the big notes in the big shops is important. Some catch you out such as the Metro ticket machine at Porto Airport won't take €20 and puts a surcharge on using plastic. If you do get to use plastic watch out for the exchange rate they use. I have a Revolute debit card (other brands available) which allows me to have money in any currency I need so I can pay in the local currency. My native currency is U.K.£ and I have used it in the US, Euro zone, Poland (Zloty) etc. and only paid the spot exchange rate. Worth checking out if you plan to travel internationally.

If you see a camping, do your laundry there. Its not fully automatic, so possible to clean down sleeping bags! Could be cheaper also...

Hey Dixie, if you want, you can start the Camino earlier, like in Austria (where i'm from, so i did that), or Hungary, or anywhere else. They even say the Camino starts where you live! (Of course if there's an ocean in between, that definition poses problems). I can definitly recommend walking the Camino somewhere which is not necessarily Spain, because it tends to be much less overrun the further you get away from Santiago, and you get to appreciate different European countries on the way and see the differences in landscapes, as well as the interesting differences and similarities in culture. Also it's less hot than in Spain.

@jakubhosek6834

2 жыл бұрын

I'm from Czechia so I was thinking that, but I feel like then it gets prohibitively long/expensive. There's a difference to having a fun experience for a month and just spending half a year walking across the entirety of Europe... What's your thoughts on this?

I hope I can help travelers with a general credit card/ATM tip. Before you go (I recommend doing this one month in advance or more to make sure you have time for your account to be set up and cards to be mailed to you.), check to see what fees you’re charged for on your credit and debit cards. There are many credit cards that charge fees for use in foreign countries, but also many travel focused cards with no foreign transaction fees. Try to pick and apply for a card with no foreign transaction fee! (Some cards with no foreign transaction fees that I use are Discover It, Wells Fargo Propel, and Bank of America Travel Rewards.) For ATMS, there are smaller banks out there that offer debit cards that you can use at any ATM worldwide who refund your ATM fees. This is especially helpful for cash based areas. I personally used the Charles Schwab debit card in Hong Kong (which is very heavily cash based) and wasn’t charged any ATM fees! These fees may not seem significant, but they definitely add up if you use them often. Plus, if you can save any amount of money on fees for gear/food/better comfort, why not?

My Camino is sept 21 2020 This has been the best comment thread to read in preparation EVER!!!!!!!

@nataliedrinan1229

3 жыл бұрын

Praying you can still go!!

@welangsung

2 жыл бұрын

How is it going??

Excellent, honest, practical presentation. One tip I was given is that one of you take a small, lightweight, travel hairdryer for drying your wet boots or runners overnight. Good presentation, thank you. I'm back on the Caminos '24. Bom Camino! Mike G.

I can’t wait to take this trek. 2024 goals.

@sidmac50

2 жыл бұрын

That is about the same time for me. I have to have shoulder surgery that will allow for plenty of healing and rehab time

Ive done 3 Caminos, Del Norte, Via de Plata, and Portuguese. The Norte I over packed, the Portuguese I have 3 sets of sock and undies, 2 hiking pants, 3 hiking tshirts, wamr jacket poncho, fipflops and hiking boots (I prefer boots always) hiking poles For sleeping I took 2 sleeping bag liners, a silk one a d a fleece therma rest.. Carried it all in an Osprey Kestral 35. Get a local SIM card, download guthook, and learn some Spanish. Buen Camino. Im planning on doing the primitivo when we can travel again. No plans to do the French route, my preference is for less traffic and congestion.

@julierawlins5984

2 жыл бұрын

Get a local SIM card? Please explain. Thank you.

@stilettosqueak

2 жыл бұрын

@@julierawlins5984 a local phone card like Vodafone or Orange, so you don't get charged fees from you local phone company

Hey, Dixie! You mentioned checking bags vs carrying on, and I was curious as to what you and Montana did with your trekking poles. Did you end up checking them alone, checking them in with your packs, sending them ahead, or carrying them on? From what I understand, TSA doesn't allow them, but I've also read a lot of people's stories about carrying them on without issue. Thanks in advance, and thanks for putting out such incredible content - I freaking love your videos!

@milvertonmom50

2 жыл бұрын

would love to know the answer to this too. thanks for asking. following.

@MelissaPhillips-nj5sb

4 ай бұрын

We returned from Europe this year with our poles as carry on. Bought them there.

I walked from le Puy to Santiago in june 2022, 53 days, with transportation from France and return, slept in albergue, cooked whenever possible, did few restaurants and few half boards, it did cost exactly 30 euros per day at the end

Very helpful....thanks 😎🍷🇬🇧

In France, where demi-pension (lodging wi th dinner and breakfast) private gites are the usual lodging, the daily rate averages EUR 40-45. Picnic lunches would run about EUR5.

I went late Oct to early Nov. Good weather except for the last 2 days. All the tips mentioned here are good. For me it’s very necessary to use a backpack that fits you well. I scrimped and borrowed my son’s backpack. Good brand and heavy duty and all that but it didn’t fit me well. After a few days it became very uncomfortable and many times painful.

Hey just wanted say Merry Christmas Dixie😁😁😁

This was helpful! I am planning on hiking it next year.

@rumblechick73

4 жыл бұрын

I hope you will be posting! I so enjoyed your upbeat videos when you did the AT.

@GreetersThru-Hike

4 жыл бұрын

@@rumblechick73 I plan to! Thank you for the nice comment.

I managed to find a sleeping bag part way through the Camino. which saved me about €50 the donation boxed are a life saver. Before that I was just sleeping in my liner it was very warm and I didn't need a sleeping bag until mid October. I have to buy thick trouser in Burgos because the mornings on the Maseta were about 2C and I only had shorts before that.

$577 for 5 weeks. Rarely ate in restaurants; twice had to rent a room, the rest of the time stayed in albergues (pilgrim hostels). 2008, April 22 to June 11.

I am sure some people can save money with the budget airlines if they are smart and careful, but I never have and just gave up. That said, even the major airlines can be tricky about add ons like checked luggage. Also frequently I have found the small connector flights in a combined ticket to be not much more, and less than ground transport or parking. Another reason not to dismiss the major airlines out of hand.

Hi Dixie. Do you have any good resources or advice for a new backpacker looking to prepare to tackle the AT? I've done some weekend trips in ohio and my favorite so far was a weekend trip at Spruce Knob in W.V. I work in healthcare and I can't afford to leave my job for months at a time. Thank you, and I love your videos.

Something to keep in mind if you don’t have a month to do el Camino is to bike it. I did it in a bike, and it took me 2 weeks. Great experience!

@Mcarcion

3 жыл бұрын

And how was the elevation? Are there steep mountains or hills?

@bituco94

3 жыл бұрын

@@Mcarcion I walked the northern camino, which is way flatter.

great video :)

Thank you very much @Homemade Wanderlust Dixie for this helpful video. I wanted to ask you to what extent do you think wild camping or camping in campgrounds is possible on the Camino Frances? My partner and I are experienced lightweight backpackers and already have our gear and would enjoy being able to camp part of the time and to occasionally stay in albergues and hotels. Would it be possible to do this while still meeting up with new friends for meals in town? We've also heard horror stories about how noisy some of the alergues can be at night, making it impossible to sleep (would you agree)?

I walked from St. Jean to Santiago then to Finnestera to Muxia and back in 35 days for 25 euros a day.

My fiancée Eliane and I relied on our Pacer poles every inch of the way ( 1,300 Kms + from Sarlat in the Périgord to Santiago, on the Via Podiensis and the Camino Frances) .

If you use your credit card to buy the plane ticket they will automatically authorize it's use in the country you are flying to at the time you will be there. Of course, if you are walking into another country, like Spain, you should notify the bank ahead of time. Likewise with your atm card.

@alleycaaat

4 жыл бұрын

I found this out when I purchased a flight to Scotland, how handy! It's nice to be able to go into your credit card app on your phone and notify them versus having to go through the whole punching buttons phone call thing to get a real person.

Hi people, Just planning my Camino - I'm gonna be fine on equipment and travel etc. I'm just looking for a rough number for a daily food, accommodation expense. If you're staying in Albergues, would it be accurate to say you could spend about 20-30 euros a day? Thanks for a great video! Super helpful.

Hi Dixie, can you let us know whether you prefer the 'wilderness' trails in North America or the Camino de Santiago?

How do you figure out what lodgings are available when you arrive at a town?? Go from one to the next? Some central info board?