Camino Frances Budget Breakdown: How Much Does it Cost? 🇪🇸💰

[@rj29839]

I spent 300 euros at pharmacies on my Camino, so I think you did pretty good. I bought so many Compeed patches; I was replacing 5 patches every 2-3 days by the end. I bought athletic tape to wrap my ankles and then had an allergic reaction to the glue in some of the tape, broke out in a bright red rash all over my feet and ankles, and then spent money on anti-histamine creams and moisturizing lotions. Oops! I hiked in 2021 and got a cold so had to take a COVID test at a clinic in Burgos (it cost 80 euros) and buy a bunch of throat lozenges and some decongestant. I have chronic ankle pain so I sent my bag ahead every day which was 5-7 euros/day.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Wow, those health supplies really add up, don't they? I was lucky, it was immediately obvious the Compeed would not work at all for my blister, so I didn't have to keep buying those at least. But the flip side is that we are lucky all these supplies are available when we need them!

[@jenniferjuniper9118]

@@rj29839 I find this very interesting !!! I’m allergic to bandaids and all sort of medical plasters which is a total pain because I’m in hospital a lot. So I tried out a small square of that blue kinesiology tape in Pamplona … had ZERO reaction so taped my knees a few times (long live YT how-to) and the last 2 days my right ankle /Achilles. Definitely always ask for the generic version of stuff in European pharmacies.

[@jenniferfranke1476]

Thank you so much! I took a bunch of notes and feel 10% more prepared as I plan my first & solo Camino.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

You've got this! Buen Camino to you, glad it was helpful! 😀

[@DebbieMuse-b3w]

Your Camino video are so helpful! Thank you for taking the time to put them together!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Thank you for watching! We're so happy they've been helpful for you. Buen Camino! 😀

[@DunRovinRanch-1969]

I enjoyed mentally comparing my expenses to y’all’s. I stuck pretty close to my €50 a day. I sent my bag ahead once but carrying the guilt was heavier than my bag. We also had to jump ahead a few stages and took a train across the Meseta. My biggest splurge was a tattoo in Santiago to commemorate my trip. Buen camino y’all.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

At the beginning of the walk I think we may have had guilt about sending the bag ahead, but we had none at all by the end. Funny the different "rules" people make for themselves. We got a lot more relaxed about that as it went on, especially after we had to skip those few days. And a tattoo sounds cool, what a way to commemorate it!

[@mindyvilla4963]

Hi Rob and David, I just watched your cost breakdown, and I’m about halfway through your Camino journey videos. I’m taking notes of places that you have stayed, my friend and I will be there the end of April to start our journey. Thank you for all the tips. I have really enjoyed watching you guys, and appreciate your kindness!!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I'm so glad you are finding the videos helpful! And we are so excited for you! This was one of the best things we have ever done, you are going to learn a lot about yourself and meet some amazing people while doing. Buen Camino!!!

[@TomChase-yb7fg]

Thanks so much for this video. I always love to hear the numbers. One question I have and you may have said it before and I missed it, but did you guys plan any periodic rest days such as once a week or so? Maybe that’s not a thing on the Camino. I know you did take a couple of days to give your blisters a break.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

We had originally scheduled in 3-5 rest days just to enjoy some of the bigger cities, but once I got the blisters the whole schedule changed to accommodate those necessary rest days. I don't have the calendar in front of me but I think it ended up being like 9 days. This was good for my feet, but it also meant the people we were meeting got ahead of us. So you have to decide if you want to stay on schedule with your friends and not take advantage of the cool towns you pass through, or if you are ok slowing down and just making new friends. To some people that "camino family" is very important, for others, it is a perk but not the most important thing. We chose to listen to my body and made the most of it.

[@SlowTravelChronicles]

Great video as always. Thanks for sharing the costs. So helpful!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

You're welcome, hope it helps with your planning! 😃

[@ExploreTayo]

We love eating out of grocery stores, they frequently have great prepared food. And, yes, Spanish dinner time is NOT for us!

[@tendegreeswarmer]

It’s amazing how much you can get in the grocery stores, and yes, we always end up eating earlier than the locals! 😉 I get the whole "eat according to the sun going down" thing, but as temporary travelers who wanted to go to bed early, we just couldn't manage it.

[@BabyStepYourLifeToday]

Thanks for the video. Im going to go find your others as well and see all the tips. Im solo traveler 50, well in a month, and also autistic and PTSD, so unfortunately for me the biggest hindrance of budget travel is accommodations, as i love people and talking ( well good conversations) but i have to decompress alone or my lovely brain just cant chill itself out. I was curious to see the private accommodations costs (which is where i also will splurge) and ypur price range is great. I was worried it would be ave. $100 /night. Ill go watch the daily vids to get an idea of the places you stayed. Im wanting to wing it as i like that best, im only worried that private options would be taken up? Im starting in mid april 2025. Hoping that since its a bit before the masses head over to the camino, that i may be ok? Luckily, im fairly good with figuring things out and pivoting as needed. Cant wait to see other videos of your travels as well. Im going to stay in europe after the walk and travel until i decide to go home ( US) for a bit...or not?? I wish europe didnt have the visa situation, but i may go over to Uk after my 90 days and stay there the 180 days or go to india and then back to europe again? I may also get a nomad visa from portugal and stay in europe....lots to ponder. Maybe ill find some advice in your videos....thanks again, and look forward to watching your travels. Kimberly

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I can totally relate to needing decompression time, it is important to listen to your body and do what makes you feel comfortable! Our best case scenario was getting private rooms in the albergues, where we could come out and be social but then retreat to our room when we were ready to settle down. Some of the hotels were just too removed from the Camino experience, though in the long run it all worked out. It's also good to know you're adaptable and happy to pivot as needed, because it's all part of the adventure! Let your Camino be what it is and you will have a great time! Also, we walked in June/July and were able to wing it most of the way, I've heard the shoulder seasons of May and September are the busiest seasons now, just something to keep in mind.

[@BabyStepYourLifeToday]

@tendegreeswarmer thanks! Yes, adaptability helps! I've learned that with lots of learning ME. I spent 3.5 months last year traveling solo around SE Asia ( everywhere except Phillipines..next time) so it really taught me my boundaries, could I do hostels, ( if needed 😅) showed me how much I like exploring on my own and not group tours ( arghh) and gave me the power to overcome so many fears. It truly showed me i was capable of traveling the world, alone, and life's short, so start now! Thx again.

[@ExploreTayo]

Good to know about the cost of private rooms vs 2 beds.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Accommodation is often cheaper as a pair, but not always - especially when you're upgrading to a private room (and sometimes private bath) as well. 😃

[@JoseeGill]

Hi, this is very reasonable, when I travelled I calculate a minimum of $75,00 a day per person, depending where we are may be more expensive, so your $105, 00 a day is very reasonable. How many total miles was the Camino? and how many miles a day you walked?

[@tendegreeswarmer]

The Camino Frances is about 500 miles/800 kms, but there are so many alternate routes it varies a little depending on who you ask. We usually walked about 12-15 miles a day, but had a couple that were longer.

[@flutingaround]

I wonder what type of walking shoes you landed on? I did a lot of walking this past year, and after a bit of experimenting, the Altra line of trail runners seem best for me while backpacking (they have wide toe boxes which accommodates for swelling feet). Hokas and Topos have been popular, too, although with the paved walking paths on the caminos, maybe just a good runner that doesn't cause blisters would be best. I have been buying gently used shoes on Poshmark in the U.S. for testing which can easily be re-poshed if they don't work for you. What were the most common brands you saw on the trail?

[@tendegreeswarmer]

I (Robb) wore the Altra Lone Peak 8. I really liked the shoe, but I did have blisters the entire way. I am unclear whether that had anything to do with the shoe or just that I never had enough time to sit long enough to let the blister fully heal before walking again. Hiking boots would have been too much shoe for 95% of the way, but in the end, you have to know your foot and get what is going to work best for you.

[@flutingaround]

​@@tendegreeswarmer That's good to know that you landed on Lone Peaks. I experimented with Topo Pursuit 2s and it caused me a bone spur :/. So, I'm back to Altra Lone Peaks, but I want to try Altra Timps and Altra Olympus next to maybe handle walking on pavement a bit better

[@flutingaround]

Sorry, more questions. I'm a gluten free eater. Do you think it's possible to avoid wheat on the Camino if you stick to the grocery stores? Question 2: Would you pick a different time of year next time you walk? How bad was the heat / humidity? Third question: Any pilgrims using a backpacking tent on trail?

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Great questions. We are not gluten free, so I don't have personal experience. But there is A LOT OF BREAD on the camino. We did talk to one person who was gluten free and she said she had a lot of challenges, but she made it work. Grocery stores are great but just know there aren't good ones in every little village you go through. As far as time of year, we loved June/July. Not so crowded as May or August. Some people complain about the heat, but I thought it was rather cold most of the time. But some of that will depend on your walking schedule. We were usually walking by 6-7 and arrived to our stop 12-2, so we weren't really out in the heat of the day. If you are a slower walker or get a later start, the afternoon heat might be more of an issue. We didn't talk to anyone who was going with tents, but I did hear that you can't just camp wherever you want, there are regulations about it, but sorry I don't know more than that.

[@flutingaround]

​@@tendegreeswarmerOk, thanks guys! This is all very helpful. I'm trying to figure out if the camino is a good fit for me

[@jenniferjuniper9118]

So the beard is gone 😂 I was lucky to not get any blisters but managed to arrive home with Achilles issues. Walked half in sandals and I swear by toe socks. Those darn tough socks are darn crappy on my feet , I don’t get the hype. Adding laundry costs !! Nothing dries on a line end September/ October , Galicia is humid !

[@tendegreeswarmer]

Next time we walk I (Robb) am going to have to try some different things to see if I can figure out my feet better. Luckily my toes weren't the problem. And good point about laundry, in June and July we didn't have many problems with things drying (except when we tried to wash our shoes haha). But humidity would make a big difference!

[@jenniferjuniper9118]

@ sorry , trying not to give unsolicited sock advice . I’m sure you heard it all by now. But yes laundry is more expensive than that cafe con leche + tortilla. As a minimalist packer I needed it though. Tip to myself : pack more. Nothing like washing or drying everything you have whilst waiting around wrapped in a paper sheet 😄

[@tendegreeswarmer]

@@jenniferjuniper9118 No worries, someone reading through and planning might appreciate the tip. I think in general we packed more than some, and we didn't regret anything we brought. Minimalist packing is always our goal as well, but in the end we all gotta bring what we need (and can carry lol).

[@TravelArtistRandSouth-qh1nz]

When I did the walk Merino wool socks saved me from blisters. Every other sock will destroy your feet.

[@tendegreeswarmer]

They do seem to help many pilgrims. I had two pairs of Darn Tough socks, one was merino wool, the other was synthetic, but didn't notice a difference between them for my blisters. I just needed another week to rest in the middle to let it fully heal, but instead I just had to keep walking so it could never heal. Next time I will give myself more time!