10 Important Things To Discuss With Your Camino Travel Partner

So you’re headed to do your first Camino Frances? Congratulations! You’ve made a decision that will alter your life in a very special way. Four to five weeks on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Wow! But wait. Now that you made this huge decision, your best friend of 25 years has invited him/herself to be your Camino travel partner. Perhaps you are excited about this or maybe you’re disappointed because you really wanted to do the journey alone. So, what do you do?

If you feel called to do the journey alone I encourage you to listen to yourself. State your needs and desires to your friend or family member. Be assertive, and don’t worry about hurting the other person’s feelings. But, if you decide that you’d love to go together, you’ll want to set expectations ahead of time. Even if you’re walking together, each person’s Camino is their own.

Here’s a list of 10 things to discuss with your Camino travel partner beforehand so you both have a wonderful Camino. Be honest now, so that you don’t fret along the Way.

 

1. Budget & Spending

Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago will typically spend around 30-40 Euros a day. This includes shared accommodations, snacks, and evening meals out. You’ll also have the occasional (or not so occasional) pharmacy stop or need to purchase replacement gear. Some pilgrims choose to pamper themselves with an occasional therapy massage, haircut, or similar.

 

• Are you able to do 30-40 euros a day?
• Do you have flexibility, or is your budget tight?
• Are there any “splurges” you’d like to do?

 

2. Accommodations

Along with the budget comes the question of accommodations.  A 30-40 Euro a day projection assumes you will spend around 5-15 euro per night for a bed. This will include shared or dormitory style accommodations at municipal or private albergues (all-encompassing hostels). Private hotels or rooms can cost from 30-60 euros per night.

 

• Are you okay with staying in shared accommodation, including mixed sex dorms?
• Do you prefer private accommodation? Is the price difference worth it?
• Do you want to stay alone sometimes (for example, on a rest day)?

 

3. Food

Along the Camino, you will find plenty of outdoor cafes and restaurants. Supermarkets, large and small, will also be available, but not in every village, so plan accordingly. Public and municipal albergues often have a shared kitchen for use. will you eat at restaurants  or will you cook in Hostel kitchens?  do you always have to eat together?

 

• Do you prefer eating dinner out (approx 10 euros/night)?
• What do you think about cooking together in a shared kitchen?
• Do we always have to eat together?

 

4. Planning (or not?)

This is a big one. Are you the type of person who prefers to plan ahead, or are you okay with booking as you go? Aside from the first few and last few nights, there is no reason to book ahead. There will be a place for you to rest your head each night. However, some people feel more comfortable booking their accommodation in advance. Be sure to discuss this important distinction.

 

• Are you flexible to book as we go, trusting we will find a bed each night?
• Do you understand that booking ahead means sometimes we may have to walk further or shorter than we are able?
• Do we always have to stay in the same place?

 

 

5. Pack Transport

There are services along the Camino routes that will transport your pack for you each day for about 3-5 euro. Each morning you will leave your backpack at your hotel or albergue, it will be picked up and dropped off at the next specified lodging.

 

• Are you planning to send your pack ahead each day?
• If you’re planning to carry your pack, are you flexible to send it ahead when needed?

 

6. Daily Walking

What often happens along the Camino is that two people will start walking together in the morning. As the day progresses, each Camino travel partner will stop for breakfast, coffee, or to rest. Friends then begin to split up, agreeing on a final destination for the night. Sometimes you are within a few minutes of each other. Other times you may need more time to tend to blisters or enjoy a long lunch with new friends before meeting again at night.

 

• Will we walk together or alone?
• Do you need alone time during the day while walking?
• I walk slowly; can we meet up at our final destination for the night?

 

7. Church & Faith

The Camino de Santiago is rooted in the Catholic religion. Modern pilgrims may make the trek for any number of reasons including culture, tourism, or spiritual. Be clear on your beliefs and purposes for the walk as related to this topic:

 

• Are you a person of faith?
• Will you attend pilgrim’s blessings or religious services?
• Are you willing to wait for me if stop to pray in a local church?

 

8. Emergencies

It’s important to be flexible as you never know if someone will suffer from exhaustion, an injury, or a family emergency. Everyone’s physical abilities vary. One person may be able to walk a lot longer than the other or their friend may develop shin splints. You want to discuss both training and contingency plans if one of you needs more rest days, injures yourself or faces an emergency.

 

• What travel insurance are you getting? It’s probably a good idea for you to share the documents with me.
• What should we do if one of us gets injured or needs to return home?
• How many rest days do you want to take?

9. Gear

Gear is of huge importance to this backpacking trip. It’s incredibly important to have a supportive pack full of lightweight, good quality apparel and gear. Agree to do research and spend money on the proper gear so that you don’t end up having to make large, unexpected purchases along the Way. Be sure to check out our all seasons Camino packing guide to avoid mishaps.

 

• Are you willing and able to spend a few hundred dollars on gear?
• Have you chosen and broken in your shoes?
• How will you handle buying needed gear along the Way?

 

10. Transportation

Each person or couple’s Camino is different. The only requirement to receive the Compostela certificate in Santiago is to have walked the last 100km. Some people ride bike, bus, or taxi as needed during the journey. Others never even set foot in an elevator. What does the Camino look like to you?

 

• Are you both committed to walking the entire Camino?
• Do you desire to train or bus through the hard parts?
• If I end up several days ahead, will you bus or walk extra to meet me?

As you can see, there are at least 10 things to discuss with your Camino travel partner. Do this prior to leaving on your trip. Much of your success as travel buddies is centered around both of you being able to express your needs whether it’s the need to walk alone for a day, rest an extra day, get a pilgrims blessing, or book your own room for the night. Accept that even though you are walking together, this journey is also your own. Advocate for yourself, and set expectations ahead of time so that neither of you is left disappointed.

Ready to start planning? Head over to our Essential Camino de Santiago Guide: Planning the 500 Mile Pilgrimage.

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