{"id":4443,"date":"2025-04-25T15:28:42","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T05:28:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/?p=4443"},"modified":"2025-07-22T17:52:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T07:52:29","slug":"your-camino-de-santiago-planning-check-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/your-camino-de-santiago-planning-check-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Camino de Santiago Planning Check List"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Use this Camino Planning Check List<\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

This is not meant to be a list to be blindly followed.\u00a0 But it’s intended as a “prompter” to get you thinking about your future Camino and some of the things to consider.<\/p>\n

It won’t go into great detail, but I’ll add links to more detail should you want to explore it.<\/p>\n

I’ll break the checklist into these key areas”<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n
      \n
    1. Camino Route Selection and Time of Year<\/li>\n
    2. Camino Start and Finish Points<\/li>\n
    3. Getting to and from Your Camino<\/li>\n
    4. Your Camino Gear<\/li>\n
    5. Camino Communications<\/li>\n
    6. Camino Health Considerations<\/li>\n
    7. Your Camino Budget<\/li>\n
    8. Camino Security and Safety Considerations<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      1 – Camino Route Selection and Time of Year<\/h2>\n

       <\/p>\n

      There are a number of factors that will influence your route selection:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n
          \n
        1. The Time of Year. The South of Spain is hot in the summer, and mountain passes in the North may be blocked by Snow<\/li>\n
        2. How “Social” or Busy you’d like your Camino to be.\u00a0 Popular routes like the Camino Frances and Portuguese are busier.<\/li>\n
        3. How far you want to walk. Some routes like the Ingles are only about 100 kms, whereas others like Le Puy are 1,800 kms.<\/li>\n
        4. How “easy” you want the Pilgrimage to be.\u00a0 The Camino Frances has the most infrastructure, whereas routes like the VdlP have long stages without facilities.<\/li>\n
        5. How long do you have for your Camino?\u00a0 2 weeks? 3 Months?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Here’s a Camino Route Planner<\/a> that I use.<\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          2 – Camino Start and Finish Points<\/h2>\n

           <\/p>\n

          Where you are coming from and your mode of travel may influence this.\u00a0 If flying Internationally you need to consider your “Port of Entry” and how to get from there to your start point and vice versa.<\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          \"Camino<\/a><\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

          So think about:<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. \n
              \n
            1. Travel time to your Port of Entry.<\/li>\n
            2. Time to get over jet lag is this applies.<\/li>\n
            3. How many days you have to spend on the Camino.<\/li>\n
            4. Where you would like to end your Camino.\u00a0 Santiago?<\/li>\n
            5. How far you can manage to walk per day.<\/li>\n
            6. Do you need to allow rest days or sight-seeing days?<\/li>\n
            7. Count up all those days and subtract from your end point\/date to estimate your start date and start point.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

               <\/p>\n

              3 – Getting to and from Your Camino<\/h2>\n

               <\/p>\n

              If flying Internationally, and depends on the route, you might land in Madrid, Paris, Barcelona or other Cities.\u00a0 \u00a0Also consider which Airport you will return home from.\u00a0 Then think about:<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. \n
                  \n
                1. Do you need a Visa?\u00a0 Apply early.<\/li>\n
                2. How long will your inbound and outbound travel take?\u00a0 For me it’s 24 hours each way.<\/li>\n
                3. How will you get to and from Airports?\u00a0 Trains are often the best options. Internal flights can be frequent and inexpensive. And Buses are another option.<\/li>\n
                4. Do you need to allow sight-seeing or “recovery time” at the end before travelling home?<\/li>\n
                5. Book your flights.<\/li>\n
                6. Maybe book your first few nights accommodation.<\/li>\n
                7. If applicable book train\/bus to your start point<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                   <\/p>\n

                  4 – Your Camino Gear<\/h3>\n

                   <\/p>\n

                  Many people turn up on the Camino like they are doing a luxury tour of Europe with huge suitcases!\u00a0 \u00a0Ditch those before you start.\u00a0 The lighter you can travel on the Camino the bettr you will enjoy it.\u00a0 The freedom and flexibility you gain from carrying your gear in a small backpack is immense.\u00a0 Let go!\u00a0 \u00a0Think about:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. \n
                      \n
                    1. What “essentials” do you really need? Good footwear, a pack, a sleeping bag or liner, some spare under wear & socks, a spare shirt.\u00a0 That’s about it! Anything more is really a “comfort” factor.\u00a0 \u00a0Go over your packing list time and time again to take out anything that’s not essential.\u00a0 My pack is about 6kg and my wife’s about 4.5kg.\u00a0 Many people carry less than that.<\/li>\n
                    2. Comfortable footwear is essential.\u00a0 But your feet differ from everyone else’s.\u00a0 The “popular” shoes might not work for you. Try out lots.<\/li>\n
                    3. A Comfortable pack is the next essential.\u00a0 \u00a0Ultra light is not always the most comfortable.\u00a0 Mine is 1.2 kgs (included in my 6kgs)<\/li>\n
                    4. You’ll probably need rain gear of some kind, if only a light \/ cheap poncho for occasional use. (check weather for time of year)<\/li>\n
                    5. Good footwear and socks and a good foot care regime will avoid blisters.\u00a0 We have never had any.\u00a0 Check out Hikers Wool.<\/li>\n
                    6. Do some training walks in your footwear and carrying your pack.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      This is my Camino Gear.<\/a><\/p>\n

                      And how we Avoid Blisters.<\/a><\/p>\n

                       <\/p>\n

                      5 – Camino Communications<\/h3>\n

                       <\/p>\n

                      \"Camino<\/a><\/p>\n

                       <\/p>\n

                      Some people like to totally unplug and not even take a phone.\u00a0 I would take one if only for safety reasons.<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. \n
                          \n
                        1. How will you access internet?\u00a0 Just WiFi or will you get a local SIM or eSIM?<\/li>\n
                        2. Tidy up your phone to leave space for videos and photos.<\/li>\n
                        3. Do people at home need to be able to contact you?\u00a0 Decide how and when that will work.\u00a0 Will you “check-in” with them or not?<\/li>\n
                        4. Do you need to set up autoresponders?<\/li>\n
                        5. Will you need access to online accommodation and travel booking?\u00a0 What Apps will you need?<\/li>\n
                        6. Will you be contacting local accommodation to make bookings?\u00a0 \u00a0WhatsApp is commonly used, or phone calls. Emal less so.<\/li>\n
                        7. Install the Alert Cops App!\u00a0 It’s a great emergency app provided by the Spanish Police (in English)<\/li>\n
                        8. Make sure you know Emergency numbers.\u00a0 112.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                           <\/p>\n

                          6 – Camino Health Considerations<\/h3>\n

                           <\/p>\n

                          A few more things to consider.<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          1. \n
                              \n
                            1. Health Insurance is recommended if you don’t have reciprocal health cover with Spain. Some Banks and Credit cards provide this free (with conditions)<\/li>\n
                            2. Travel Insurance might be a good idea.<\/li>\n
                            3. Should you have a Health check before you go?<\/li>\n
                            4. Do you need to take specific medications with you?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                              Should you need them, local Spanish Health Services are outstanding. Don’t worry.\u00a0 \u00a0And there are frequent, ‘very good’ Pharmacies (Farmacia)<\/p>\n

                               <\/p>\n

                              7 – Your Camino Budget<\/h3>\n

                               <\/p>\n

                              Do you have an overall budget in mind? What type of accommodation will you use?\u00a0 This is a major cost component.<\/p>\n

                              \"Camino<\/a><\/p>\n

                              Allow enough funds for:<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              1. \n
                                  \n
                                1. Travel to and from the Camino from your country.<\/li>\n
                                2. Travel to and from your start and end points.<\/li>\n
                                3. Nightly accommodation.\u00a0 Might be hotels, Hostals or Albergues.<\/li>\n
                                4. Daily food.\u00a0 might be bought ready to eat, self-prepared or cafes\/bars<\/li>\n
                                5. Communication costs.<\/li>\n
                                6. Incidentals.\u00a0 Coffee, water, snacks, phone top up.<\/li>\n
                                7. Emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                  Check out how we plan our Camino Budget.<\/a><\/p>\n

                                   <\/p>\n

                                  8 – Camino Security and Safety Considerations<\/h3>\n

                                   <\/p>\n

                                  The Camino is generally a very safe environment.\u00a0 Just take normal safety and security precautions.\u00a0 \u00a0But think about:<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  1. \n
                                      \n
                                    1. How will you carry important documents such as your passport.<\/li>\n
                                    2. How and where will you carry cards and money?\u00a0 (maybe not all in one place)<\/li>\n
                                    3. How will you access cash along the way.\u00a0 Best not to use ATMs outside banking hours in case you have a problem<\/li>\n
                                    4. ALWAYS carry your valuables on you at all times.\u00a0 Passport, cards, money, phone etc.\u00a0 Even going to the shower (use a small dry bag).<\/li>\n
                                    5. If a solo female, take normal precautions and if you feel you need it, buddy up with another solo female.\u00a0 (some do).\u00a0 If you have any concerns approach other Pilgrims or accommodation hosts or the local Police (who are great in Spain)<\/li>\n
                                    6. If walking remote sections on your own, take extra care. Twisting an ankle in a lonely spot could be awkward.<\/li>\n
                                    7. Make sure you know where you are, where you are heading to and that you have a working phone with Alert Cops.\u00a0 (better to be safe)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                      6 and 7 really apply more to the more remote Camino routes.<\/p>\n

                                      If you think I’ve missed anything, or have any questions, please comment below.<\/p>\n

                                       <\/p>\n

                                       <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                      Are you planning your Camino? Here’s a checklist on what to bring or do in Camino your journey…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4465,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,172],"tags":[196,197,199,198],"class_list":["post-4443","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-planning","tag-camino-check-list","tag-camino-de-santiago-check-list","tag-camino-de-santiago-planning","tag-camino-planning"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4443","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4443"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4443\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4480,"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4443\/revisions\/4480"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4465"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4443"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4443"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/general\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4443"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}