Among the world's walking trails Camino Francés stands out in many ways: It is the oldest, it is the most walked, it is a pilgrim walk (i.e. its origin and meaning was, and for many still is, religious), with almost 800 kilometers/500 miles it is one of the longest, and it is walked in only one direction. In importance its destination competes with Jerusalem and Rome.
Less obvious - and what makes El Camino so popular even today - is that it is also kilometer for kilometer, mile for mile, the most convenient walking trail in the world. On no other trail is it possible to walk this far, in such remote terrain, and never be more than 12 kilometers/7.5 miles (maybe a little longer in the winters due to business closings) from a hostel or other sleeping place with a clean bed, shower and running hot and cold water at less than 8 euros (US $10.50) per night - sometimes free. And an eating place around the corner.
The least expensive of the albergues (hostels) (typically 5-7 euros or 6.50-9 US dollars) are the municipal albergues, owned and operated by the local town or city authority. They are typically staffed by local volunteers. The low price makes them the most popular and therefore also the most crowded, often in one big sleeping hall with up to 30 bunk beds. The busyness of these hostels make them rather noisy and confusing. They are the first to be booked (always on a first come, first served basis), the first to have the lights out, and the first to be empty in the morning. With almost no exception, they allow only one night's stay (to allow for cleaning and getting ready for the next late afternoon's arrivals). Some but not all municipal hostels have kitchen facilities. They all have cold-water laundry facilities for light washes by hand.
Less obvious - and what makes El Camino so popular even today - is that it is also kilometer for kilometer, mile for mile, the most convenient walking trail in the world. On no other trail is it possible to walk this far, in such remote terrain, and never be more than 12 kilometers/7.5 miles (maybe a little longer in the winters due to business closings) from a hostel or other sleeping place with a clean bed, shower and running hot and cold water at less than 8 euros (US $10.50) per night - sometimes free. And an eating place around the corner.
The least expensive of the albergues (hostels) (typically 5-7 euros or 6.50-9 US dollars) are the municipal albergues, owned and operated by the local town or city authority. They are typically staffed by local volunteers. The low price makes them the most popular and therefore also the most crowded, often in one big sleeping hall with up to 30 bunk beds. The busyness of these hostels make them rather noisy and confusing. They are the first to be booked (always on a first come, first served basis), the first to have the lights out, and the first to be empty in the morning. With almost no exception, they allow only one night's stay (to allow for cleaning and getting ready for the next late afternoon's arrivals). Some but not all municipal hostels have kitchen facilities. They all have cold-water laundry facilities for light washes by hand.
A word of caution to the pilgrims and walkers who are used to staying in youth hostels in other parts of the world: The hostels (albergues) along the Camino are not like the typical, small, cozy, lazy and jovial youth hostel in Santiago de Chile, Warsaw or Istanbul. The Camino's albergues are big and seem to have revolving doors: quickly in, quickly out, one night only, big sleeping halls, lots of noise, lights out at 10, lots of snoring, more noise by super-early risers, lights on at 7, out the door by 8, no time to make acquaintances, no social obligations. Be prepared for several inconsiderate and a few rude fellow overnight guests.
More expensive by maybe 3-5 euros (US $4-7) - and much more like the traditional youth hostel known in other parts of the world - are the private hostals, which in most cases are members of a regional hospitality industry association or network. They are mostly locally owned, often by a family, smaller with sleeping rooms (not the big halls) occupying 4-8 people, more private and personal, and generally better managed and maintained. A few hostels will have a small number of private rooms - at an even higher (but not much) price. They will have either private or shared toilet and bath. They take advance reservations, have no curfew, will allow more than one night's stay, and even give you a key to the front door! Most have nice kitchen and dining area and good laundry facilities.
Among the private hostals are also a few parish hostals owned by the local diocese and operated by priests, convent or monastery hostels. Some are owned and operated by Spanish or other national confraternity.
No albergues, municipal or private, serve meals though they may have a kitchen for light cooking. A few private hostals may operate a small restaurant and bar nearby, but generally pilgrims are referred to local restaurants and coffee places for meals. Some monasteries will serve a simple, communal dinner at night.
In this description the Spanish word albergue is used for what in English is called a hostel (typically youth hostel); the Spanish hostal describes an upscale hostel with smaller, shared rooms and a few private rooms.
In the cities and bigger towns along the Camino one will find lots of hotels, big and small (hostals), with comfort levels to suit almost every pilgrim and walker.
