Questions about the Camino de Santiago | Information

Information regarding the Camino de Santiago

In Santiago Ways, as a specialized travel agency on the Camino, we are accustomed to receiving questions about the Camino de Santiago. Many people have already completed the Camino in their lives and are happier because they had a lot of information to help them.

However, those who do the Camino de Santiago for the first time have many doubts, especially foreigners. If you are not Spanish, we recommend that you start by reading this article about the Camino de Santiago for foreigners, So that you’ll get an idea of what this adventure is all about.

To resolve all your doubts about the Camino de Santiago, we have developed these 7 blocks of questions. Although these are not all the questions asked by the pilgrims who travel with us, they are the most frequent ones.

Before reviewing the basic questions, if you are already convinced about making this trip and are interested in doing the Camino de Santiago from Sarria, give us more information about your plans and we will contact you to make everything perfect.

Next, we provide you with all the information on the Camino de Santiago. Take your time to read it and resolve all your doubts.

FAQs vol.1: Basic questions about the Camino de Santiago

To follow, we will answer some basic questions about the Camino de Santiago. Read the related articles to learn more about each topic.

What is the Camino de Santiago?

The Camino de Santiago is a collection of ways, known as pilgrim routes. They all lead to the tomb of Santiago the Elder, and found in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. If you want to know more about the legend of this martyr, consult the story of the life of Santiago the Elder.

Why do people do the Camino de Santiago?

The origins of the Camino de Santiago date back to the 9th century, when the remains of Santiago the Apostle were discovered. From that moment pilgrims began to walk on the Camino de Santiago to receive the favours of the saint. If you want to know more details about the history of the Camino de Santiago, from its origins to the present day, do not forget to read the related article.

At present, the pilgrims who do the Camino de Santiago, do it for very diverse motivations, besides the religious ones. Sports, spiritual and tourist motivations move many pilgrims along the various routes. If you want, discover all types of motivating reasons to do the Camino de Santiago in this article.

How many Caminos de Santiago are there?

There are many routes to Santiago, it is actually a network of roads. There are many roads all over Europe. However, the most popular ones are those that run through Spain and Portugal, since they are the ones that lead directly to the Apostle’s tomb.

The Camino Frances, Primitivo, North, the Camino Ingles and the Vía de la Plata are the most popular roads in Spain. In Portugal, it’s the Central road and the coastal route. Every Camino de Santiago has its own origin and characteristics. If you want to know more about them, consult our articles: “Characteristics of the routes a Santiago” and “Origin of the routes on the Camino de Santiago”.

How many times can you do the Camino de Santiago?

As many times as you want. There are so many sections where you can experience different experiences on the Camino de Santiago. Many pilgrims make the Camino de Santiago on more than one occasion throughout their lives.

FAQs vol.2. Doubts about the routes on the Camino

We will now solve some frequent doubts about the route of the Camino de Santiago. Read the related articles for more information about the Camino.

How many kilometres are there on the Camino de Santiago?

The pilgrim network crosses enormous distances and every route of the Camino de Compostela has a distinct distance. In Spain the longest Camino is the Via de la Plata, at 960 kilometres; followed by the Camino del Norte, at 833.1 km.

Then follows the Camino Frances, at 763.5 kilometres; Camino Primitivo, 316.2 km and, finally, the Camino Ingles, the shortest, at 122.3 km. In Portugal, the Central Camino de Santiago has a distance of 681.9 km and the coastal route, 265 km.

Where does the Camino de Santiago start?

Each route on the Camino de Santiago starts at a different point. The Camino Frances in Saint Jean Pied de Port (France), the Camino del Norte in Irún, the Camino Primitivo in Oviedo, the Camino Ingles in Ferrol and the Vía de la Plata in Seville. In Portugal, the Camino Central starts in Lisbon and the coastal route in Oporto.

However, pilgrims join the Camino de Santiago at any point on the route. There are some places that without being at the beginning of the Camino de Santiago, are popular starting points. An example is the Camino Frances from Sarria.

How many stages does the Camino de Santiago have?

It would be impossible to say how many stages the Camino de Santiago has, as they depend on whether the Camino de Santiago is done on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. The usual thing is to do approximately 20 kilometeres on foot and about 50, by bicycle per stage.

From there, the altitude on the stages and the pilgrim’s condition lead us to divide the route into more or fewer stages. However, the Camino de Santiago agencies recommend some classical stages.

According to our guide on the Camino de Santiago, the different routes would have the following number of stages: Camino del Norte (34), Camino Frances (33), Camino Portugues (Central) (28), Camino Primitivo (14), Camino Portugues coastal route (12) and Camino Ingles (5).

FAQS vol.3. Questions about planning the Camino de Santiago

We will then solve some frequently asked questions about the planning of the Camino de Santiago. Open the linked articles to learn more about each point.

What is the best time of year to do the Camino de Santiago?

The Camino de Santiago can be done at any time of the year. The decision depends on the experience you are looking for; each season has its own wonders.

In summer , Temperatures tend to be quite high for walking in the sun, especially in August. However, it is the season in which more pilgrims do the Camino de Santiago.

Doing the Camino de Santiago in winter is possible. However, caution should be taken on the high mountain stages because, on some routes, there may be snow.

Autumn and spring are considered the best time to do the Camino de Santiago because the temperatures are milder. The downside is that the risk of rain is higher.

How long does it take to do the Camino de Santiago?

As with the number of stages, the time to complete the Camino de Santiago is relative. It depends on where the experience begins and whether it is done on foot or on horseback.

You can spend more than a month walking, if you do the complete Camino Frances, for example. And about 15 days, if you do it on a bicycle.

However, there are many other routes to Santiago which can be completed in less than a week. If you want to know more about this topic consult our article “How much time do you need to do the Camino de Santiago?”.

How do I prepare myself for the Camino de Santiago?

It is recommendable to prepare yourself physically and mentally to do the Camino de Santiago. In this article, you will find some recommendations to do so.

You will also need to prepare your things for the Camino de Santiago. In this article, we give you some advice about how to prepare your baggage and in this one, a list of things to bring on the Camino.

Where can I sleep on the Camino de Santiago? Do I have to reserve?

You can sleep in hostels on the pilgrim network or in private accommodation (other types of hostels, hotels, pensions, rural houses, etc.). With the hostels on the pilgrim network, you cannot book in advance. In the rest, yes.

We always work with booked reservations, to ensure that pilgrims who travel with Santiago Ways find everything ready at the end of the stage. However, it is not mandatory to pre-book, but you risk having trouble finding accommodation in high season.

What services can I contract on the Camino de Santiago?

The travel agencies specializing in the Camino de Santiago, like us, offer many services aimed at facilitating your pilgrimage. They make the Camino de Santiago more comfortable and safe. If you want to know more how the travel agencies on the Camino de Santiago work, in the link, you will find more information.

Some services that you can hire to make the Camino de Santiago are the management of accommodation, the transfer at the beginning of the route, backpack transfer service between stages, car assistance and insurance management. We also offer travel services on the Camino de Santiago for organized groups and guided assistance.

How much does it cost to do the Camino de Santiago?

Doing the Camino de Santiago is free, you don’t have to pay any kind of entrance to go on the route. However, there are other basic expenses associated with the pilgrimage, such as the journey to the beginning of the Camino, eating and sleeping.

The money that is needed to do the Camino de Santiago can be quite variable. It depends on where you decide to sleep on the Camino de Santiago, the type of place you choose to eat and whether you organize it on your own or with a specialized agency on the Camino de Santiago.

On our website, you can consult the cost of going on the Camino de Santiago with our travel agency. You can also read our article on the cost of doing the Camino, If you want more details about the budget you will need to do the Camino de Santiago.

What do I need to do to go on the Camino de Santiago?

Start planning it, following these steps. You can also call us or write to us and contract your trip for the Camino de Santiago.

Which Camino de Santiago is the most beautiful?

There is no way to Santiago prettier than another. All the pilgrim routes have their charm. The answer depends, to a large extent, on whether you prefer the sea or mountains.

How do I do the Camino de Santiago? On foot or by bike?

Both ways are valid. You should keep in mind that these are two different experiences. If you do the Camino de Santiago by bike you will have less chance of interacting with other pilgrims, but you advance faster than if you make the Camino de Santiago on foot.

Can I take my dog with me on the Camino de Santiago?

Yes, many pilgrims do the Camino de Santiago with their dog. If you are one of them, do not miss our recommendations on taking your dog on the Camino de Santiago.

What can you do or visit on the Camino de Santiago?

The Camino de Santiago is full of places of architectural and artistic interest. You will also find archaeological sites and remains. And, of course, charming villages and lots of nature. If you want to know more about what you can do on your tour, check out this article about activities on the Camino de Santiago.

FAQs vol.4. Safety and hygiene worries

Here are some common health and safety questions on the Camino de Santiago. See the links to delve into each issue.

¿Is the Camino de Santiago unsafe?

The Camino de Santiago is not dangerous; you can travel without any problem. Still, keep the security measures you apply in your daily life: do not go up to stranger’s vehicles, take care in cities, etc.

During the route, it is important to take care of your belongings, although thefts are not very common. Also, avoid walking at night to prevent you from getting disorientated and getting lost.

Are the hostels clean on the Camino de Santiago?

There’s a bit of everything. Some are impeccable and others are not as clean as they should be. Think that every day hundreds of pilgrims pass through them.

Are there bedbugs on the Camino de Santiago?

Yes, unfortunately. Bedbugs arrived in 2005 and since then it has been impossible to eradicate them. Although the hostels fumigate, the continuous passage of pilgrims brings them back. There are not many bedbugs, but they are there.

Do I run the risk of an animal attack?

No, you’re not likely to be attacked by any big animals. Most of the animals you will find on your tour are farm animals. However, you may be able to suffer some insect bites (bees, mosquitoes, bedbugs, etc.).

Information about animals in the pilgrim's route to Santiago

Is it easy to get lost on the Camino de Santiago?

No, it’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either. There are few pilgrims who are lost on the Camino de Santiago. The yellow arrows and scallop shells will indicate the route almost permanently.

In this guide on recommendations on doing the Camino de Santiago for the first time, Among other tips, we explain in more detail how to orient you on the Camino de Santiago. We also tell you what to do if you get lost.

Where should I take care on the Camino de Santiago?

During the tour, you should pay special attention to the sections that run by roads or when you have to cross them. Unstable ascents and descents can also be dangerous, as it is easy to suffer a fall and injure yourself.

Is it safe to go alone on the Camino de Santiago?

Yes. Many pilgrims go to the Camino de Santiago alone. As it is such a spiritual experience they especially enjoy going alone. On the other hand, it’s easy to make friends on the Camino de Santiago.

The main precaution you should apply if you think about going alone on the Camino de Santiago, is walking when the rest of the pilgrims do it, and avoid staying alone on the roads. On high mountain stages, it is advisable to walk with other pilgrims, especially if there is bad weather.

You should know that if you want to do the Camino de Santiago and do not want to go alone, you can join an organized group. In this article, we tell you some of the advantages in doing the Camino de Santiago in an organised group.

FAQs vol.5. Information on the difficulty of the route

Here we answer some questions about how difficult the Camino de Santiago is. See the related articles to find out more about each topic.

Is the Camino de Santiago hard to do?

It depends on which route of the Camino de Santiago you are going to do; it can be more or less hard. Your physical condition is also influential when assessing whether a route is hard or not. It is often said that the Camino Primitivo is the hardest, followed by the Camino del Norte.

Which is the easiest Camino de Santiago?

The routes on the Camino de Santiago that run through Portugal are considered the easiest. Both the Central Camino Portugues and the Camino Portugues coastal route are very easy, as they have barely any climbs.

I haven’t trained, can I still do the Camino de Santiago?

It is advisable to train previously. However, if you have not prepared physically you can start the Camino de Santiago doing the first shortest stages until your body is accustomed to physical activity. Avoid the unevenness in these early stages and choose one of the easiest routes to Santiago.

Is Camino de Santiago apt for kids?

Of course. Many families do the Camino de Santiago with young children. Read our article on the Camino de Santiago with the family if you want more information.

I’m over 60, can I do the Camino de Santiago?

This is a very common question. However, every year we see many people over 60 years’ old who make the Camino de Santiago and enjoy it to the fullest.

Age is not an inconvenience, although depending on your physical condition, you will have to plan the route in one way or another. If you want you can see this article about tips on how to do the Camino de Santiago with minimum effort.

FAQs vol.6. Worries about the experience on the Camino

Next, we answer some basic questions about the experience of doing the Camino de Santiago. Open the links to get more information.

Will doing the Camino de Santiago change my life?

No one could answer that question. What is true is that many people who do the Camino de Santiago say that their vision of the world has changed after the experience. There are many lessons that pilgrims take from the Camino de Santiago.

Will I make new friends?

Yes, unless you strive not to make them or decide to do the Camino de Santiago in winter when the pilgrim route is practically deserted. For the rest of the year, it will be very easy to make new friends.

If I don’t speak another language, will I get bored?

No! No matter what your mother tongue is, you will always find pilgrims with the same origin. However, given the international character of the Camino de Santiago, people make a huge effort to communicate, not even speaking the same language.

FAQs vol.7. Other questions on the Camino de Santiago

Next, we resolve other questions related to the Camino de Santiago. Check the links if you want more information.

What is the pilgrims credential?

It is the card that you will have to use to put on the stamps if you want to get the Compostela. It is also necessary to sleep on the network of hostels on the Camino de Santiago. If you want to know more, check out the following article on the pilgrim’s credential.

What do I have to do to when I arrive in Santiago de Compostela?

It’s usual to ask for the Compostela when you arrive. To do this you must have travelled a minimum of 100 km on foot or 200 kilometres if you are cycling. It is also a tradition to attend the Pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral of Santiago.

Then you’ll have time to visit the city. See this small guide on Santiago de Compostela , if you want to know what to visit in the capital of Compostela.

These are the most common questions among people who launch themselves on the adventure of doing the Camino de Santiago for the first time. You see that in our blog on the Camino we have a lot of information about it. We hope it will be useful to you.

Take the road to Santiago! And do not forget to contact us, if you decide to hire a service during your tour!

Buen Camino!

2 Comments about: “7 questions about the Camino de Santiago”


9 August, 2019 at 08:26

I have just begun my research and will continue to do so
This is the most comprehensive website I have found
Planning to come in the near future
God Willing
Happy Wishes Marlena
1. Reply
  
  14 August, 2019 at 12:42
  
  Hi, Marlena
  
  Thank you very much for your kind words. We’re so happy to be part of your research for the Camino de Santiago. We love to be as helpful as possible for our pilgrims.
  
  Please have in mind we’re always here for organizing any route of the Camino de Santiago once you decide when to do start walking.
  
  Best regards,
  
  Santiago Ways Team

Michael Owens

1682011419

Excellent trip. Thanks to Ylenia at Santiago Ways our trip was amazing. Accommodations and meals, she booked for us and day trip to Finisterre - PERFECT. Ylenia, was very patient with us. Our reservations had to be modified several times due to Covid and number of people in our group... changing. We have used Santiago Ways several times. Will use them again for our next “Camino Trail” adventure. Connie Earwoodread more

John Harris

1679780424

Our contact person with Santiago Ways was Ylenia Conesa. She was excellent to work with, she responded quickly to all our emails with all of our questions. I highly recommend her. Our trip was very well organized, we received all our information for the trip in a timely manner. We enjoyed all our... hotels, they were easy to find. The breakfast and dinners were adequate. We did not have any problems the whole trip. We had a wonderful time. Thank you Ylenia, we’ll contact you when we decide to do the Camino Portuguese. Buen Camino!read more

Tito P

1659562992

My partner and I finally got to experience our 5 day Camino pilgrimage walk from Sarria to Santiago in June 2022 - organized through Santiago Ways (SW) - after over 2 year delay due to Covid. We couldn't have been more thrilled from our experience once we landed in Spain from Canada.If you are... travelling overseas, trying travelling direct to Spain and avoid the lower cost European routes (i.e. easyjet) - flight cancellation/delays is about as common as the sun rising now so plan for this in your travels.SW staff were very professional and very helpful in answering all our questions prior to our trip. The Dossier and Vouchers that were sent to us were very clear and helpful to describe the route each day and where we stayed. Recommend you review your hotel locations on Google so you know where to find them once you arrive at each town/city.Our experience on the walk included breakfast, lunch and dinner for each day and the luggage transfer was a life saver allowing us to pack lightly each day. Strongly recommend you include you transfers as well to and from the airport to enjoy more time and less worry.The accommodations for our walk were well above average and more than we expected. Very clean, showers were hot (likely on demand) and the staff were very friendly at each of our stops.The staff at each place were very friendly but language barrier was there at times but never a problem.I strongly recommend using Santiago Ways in your Camino planning. Wouldn't think of any other group to help out. The peace and tranquility of walking on the countryside, the scenery, and laid back life was truly wonderful. Meeting so many pilgrims from all over and sharing our experience together was amazing and unforgettable.We are looking forward to doing this again in the future with the help of Santiago Ways.Buon Camino!Francesco & Claudetteread more

John Murray

1658794758

Great five days of walking in the warm weather. Lovely Pilgrims from around the world all with a story to tell. A week l will never forget. Back 2023 to begin from St Jean. Santiago Ways highly recommended.Good Luck and Happiness to you all.

Patricia H

1658068391

My husband and I completed the Portuguese Camino from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela in June 2022. From the planing to the completion of our trip everything exceeded our expectations.Santiago Ways did a wonderful job of having everything perfectly scheduled, from the airport transfers in Vigo and... Santiago de Compostela to the luggage transfers each day and the detailed information about each days walk. Numerous pilgrims commented on how much better our directions were and they were depending on our directions many times. The hotels we stayed at were amazing and the hosts at each hotel were always very helpful with recommendations on what to do and where to eat in each town. We had amazing food and drink along our whole journey and saw so many beautiful places.We have lifetime memories of the Camino thanks to everyone at Santiago Ways.If you are considering doing The Camino with Santiago Ways do not hesitate, go for it you will have the experience of a lifetime!read more

Ed Vegliante

1656601871

I highly recommend Santiago Ways for anyone considering walking the Camino de Santiago. Everything went smoothly and all of the accommodations Santiago Ways booked were nicer than I expected. A well organized itinerary contributed to our great experience on the Camino.

Ingrid Gutierrez

1654954740

What a wonderful company! Santiago Ways was very reliable and helpful. The accomodations were beautiful and clean. The luggage transfer was always on time. I am very thankful for the excellent experience. If you are looking for a company to plan your next Camino trip, I highly recommend Santiago... Ways!read more

Barbara Kamali

1654540608

This was a long awaited trip : originally booked in 2020 . The service of Santiago Ways was perfect throughout . As 2 couples we wanted the best en-suite accommodation on the way , our luggage transported and also we are vegans/vegetarians .Everything was perfect including a wonderful range of... meals in all the accommodation and help when we struggled to get in contact with one accommodation owner . No issues with baggage transfer and the transfer to Porto to Ourense was again perfect .Santiago Ways enables us to have the full Camino experience without any stress . Ylenia was reassuring and knowledgeable in the original planning and at no time did we feel that our quieres were not dealt with well.We all wholeheartedly recommend Santiago Ways to anyone planning to do the Camino .Thank youread more

John Spencer

1653214140

Highly recommended. Great help with planning and execution. No problems at any point. Will use them again.

Steve McManus

1651581856

Well organised trip, good communication throughout. All accommodation was clean and comfortable with luggage transfers working perfectly.

anthony golden

1650552529

A delay of 2 years but my wife, Geraldine and I have just returned from our Camino from Sarria to Santiago about 120km.Santiago Ways we’re excellentAll hotel bookings, luggage transfers, meals etc sorted out efficientlyWe had a great Camino thanks to all the staff at Santiago WaysWould... recommend themGoing with them again next yearCan’t waitThanksTony and Geraldine Goldenread more

Sarah McCleary

1649753353

I had zero issue with my trip. The baggage transfer worked like clockwork, and I loved having the confidence of a 'local' number to call in case of emergency. (Never needed to call, but it felt good).

Darlene B

1648027426

I would like to thank Alba Martinez and the whole team of Santiago ways for the job well done. My Husband really enjoyed the experience, of course without the helps of Santiago ways in organising everything, the Camino hike would be a very tough journey otherwise. But the attention to details,... communication, and so on..were excellent and highly recommended.read more

Jerry Campbell

1644770748

If you are planning a Camino pilgrimage I highly recommend this company. Very professional yet personable. The accommodations they arranged for me across Spain on my Camino were very good. They are reliable and provide good value. I would use them again if I plan my next Camino.

Bill Bearce

1635182826

Four of us 65 years old, used Santiago Ways (SW) and they took great care of us every step of 500 miles. This included one (1) night when, after some slow going, they even called us to make sure we found the hotel! (We did!) SW and their professional handling our our itinerary could not have... been better. Our top recommendation for them! Fourontheway- October 2021 Falmouth MA USAread more

1633863755

If you are planning a Camino pilgrimage I highly recommend this company. Very professional yet personable. The accommodations they arranged for me across Spain on my Camino were very good. They are reliable and provide good vale. I would use them again if I plan my next Camino.

Tina Marchetti

1632331012

We were very happy with our experience with Santiago Ways. They were very professional, very responsive, extremely organized, and booked lovely places for us, including an exceptional casa rural. They provided detailed instructions about where we were staying and our luggage was always waiting for... us at our destination. All this at an excellent value. For reference, we completed the last stage of the French Camino, from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. Five stars for Santiago Ways!read more

Samira Miranda

1628000469

Such a wonderful experience!From the beginning of the entire management, everything has been very easy. All the questions that I've had have been answered by mail or by phone and they always had been very kind.They made me a budget adjusted to my needs and it has been the best way to make the... Camino de Santiago for the first time with the security that I always had them for anything I needed! I would definitely book them again since I'm thinking about doing another part of the Camino next year :)read more

Shaoor Ali

1618335908

hello santiago ways....i travel with santiago ways... i have very Good time with them... i did walk hike with them....they have v nice people who guide people with very good behivour... i know one of best Representatives in santiago ways which name is Cristina Ostraiz... she guide me v well..i... must want to tour again with you... best wishes for all of you....RegardsShaoor Ali Basheerread more

Ed Akavets

1617032095

Did the camino with guys ! Everything was great!

Karin E

1593700682

Excellent company. They were super helpful in putting together my last minute trip to do the camino inglés. I will definitely use them next year when I do another route. Thank you SantiagoWays!

Lisa B

1593622374

Fabulous experience. Santiago Ways made this trip such a memorable trip. I will definitely be using their amazing service again for the next 200 km. The accommodations were super. The transfers and itinerary were perfect . Thanks Ylenia ans everyone at Santiago Ways!

Fabiana Lima

1583161475

Very good service. Ylenia Conesa was the one who helped me and she was always very effective and courteous. Will definitely use them again!

Christine Tranchina

1582302599

My husband and I hiked the Camino De Santiago from Pamplona to Logroño. We used Santiago Ways to help plan our adventure... booking our hotels, breakfast, picnic and dinner as well as transferring luggage during the hike. It was extremely helpful because we traveled in February which is not a... popular time and all services are not available. The communication and service was excellent. Before, after and during the hike Angie Rinaudo kept in contact and answered all our questions in a timely manner. All the accommodations were excellent. We are planning to do more sections in the future and will definitely use Santiago Ways again.read more

Karen Srajer

1574175406

We took the French Way, Leaving from Saint Jean Pied de Port. Santiago Ways booked our rooms the entire trip and make sure our luggage was transported. The rooms were a delight the walk was wonderful. Santiago Ways made sure to have support for us on the trip as well as needed. I would highly... recommend this company. The entire group was a delight to work with and Cristiana on it especially was helpful.If we should decide to do another way, we would definitely use this company.read more

Diane Nunez

1573935192

This was our first time in Spain and first time walking on a daily basis. Santiago Ways answered our many questions and concerns over many emails. We started our walk September 1st 2019 in Sarria and took 10 days to walk to Santiago de Compostela. Santiago Ways booked our lodging in 10 different... places along with luggage transfers. We asked that all breakfasts,dinner and picnic lunch be included. Our accommodations varied from Albergues. Inns, Boutique hotel, to Bed and Breakfast. We truly enjoyed our picnic lunch as we could stop anywhere and enjoy the view. The accommodations - private room and private bathroom as we requested were not disappointing. We would recommend Santiago Way to anyone that needs some assistance in walking The Way.read more

Richard Luna

1572448820

I changed my itinerary about 10 times before finalizing my vacation, 2 weeks prior to my trip date. Santiago Ways (Sara Mateo) was so polite and understanding throughout the entire process. My wife and I loved our great 2 week walk on the Camino. Every reservation, baggage transfer, excursion and... transportation worked out exactly as planned. Thank you Sara for our memorable vacation.read more

Mark Nichols

1572278906

This is a very professional company that helped create a fantastic journey. My contact person, Ylenia, responded to my emails and answered my questions. I highly recommend this company.

Kat Cust

1572254312

I have walked with Santiago Ways twice and have been impressed by their professionalism and services both times. I wanted to support a Spanish company for the walks, and found them to be a competitive option - in a crowded industry. Am planning to walk with them again as I’ve enjoyed my caminos so... much!read more

1572027090

1572025527

Rachel Mckeeve

1571861156

We recently walked part of the Camino de Santiago Trail. Our trip was arranged by Santiago Ways. We were part of a larger group we had a tour guide and our luggage was transferred each day. Our trip was an immense success, everything went very smoothly and that in part was down to Veronica who... arranged the trip. She was very helpful throughout the whole planning procedure even arranging for a private transfer from the airport to Sarria, our start point. I would recommend Santiago Ways and Veronica and would definitely use them again.read more

Eilish Bye

1571228319

After comparing several agencies, our group of 7 decided to go with Santiago Ways for our first Camino experience as they offered an all round better price for our customised package that included insurance, meals, accommodation, luggage transfers and any required transportation to accommodation.... The booking process was straightforward, they responded quickly to various enquiries and changes that we requested and they provided guidance on preparation and the Camino route which we referred to throughout our trip.We had a couple of issues including one of our group injuring her ankle but Santiago Ways were available 24 x 7 and they resolved everything efficiently including all communications required with local accommodation providers, taxis etc. which was very reassuring. Pilgrims we met who organised their accommodation en route had to deal with lack of accommodation in some locations and then they had to organise transport to and from the nearest hostels. We didn’t have any stress like this at all which left us free to enjoy the stunning scenery and great camaraderie on this wonderful trip. We will use Santiago Ways again and we can highly recommend them.read more

Kerry Mannette

1571064544

I booked my Camino de Santiago for Sept 2019 through Santiago Ways and the company made the experience absolutely wonderful. Vanessa Veiga was a pleasure to deal with, very professional and informative and made it very easy to arrange the entire trip. The accommodations and board booked through... Santiago ways were amazing, we were very pleased with the diversity (B&B, hotel, hostel) of the accommodations along with the service and cleanliness of the accommodations. The luggage transfer worked flawlessly. I would rate Santiago Ways 10 out of 10 and recommend them to anyone looking to book their Camino.read more

Karen Henderson

1570097579

I was so pleased with the trip Santiago Ways set up for me to Walk The Camino Francés. My first experience was when I requested a quote in October 2018 for a August 2019 walk. Ylenia went above and beyond to answer all our questions and to provide numerous options for me before I made my final... decision on the trip. She was patient and thorough as I gathered information. Her follow up was amazing and her attention to detail was very assuring! Once I booked the trip she continued sending updates until we departed for Spain. Once we arrived in Spain Ylenia and the Operations team stayed in touch via email to answer any questions. The hotel accommodations for 39 days were all wonderful and the baggage transfer was perfect. Every day our bags were at the hotel by the time we arrived. One day my friend left her hat in the hotel room and Santiago Ways Operation team sent an email saying the hat would be waiting at our next hotel. That’s going “above and beyond”. I highly recommend using Santiago Ways for your Camino!!!!! We walked with numerous people who had used other companies and they all thought Santiago Ways had the best hotels. I’ve already referred a friend to them and definitely will use them for my next Camino. Thank you Santiago Ways!!!!!!!!read more

Alison McEvoy

1569513113

Ylenia Conesa from Santiago Ways was very helpful answering all my question prior to my Camino trip. A truly memorable experience beautifully organised by Santiago Ways

Chantal Ryan

1569250457

This was a great experience from start to finish. From the on-line booking team that answered my numerous questions and comminucated with me in an efficient and friendly manner to the amazing guide we had and the quality of the hotels we stayed in. It all exceeded my expectations

Jon Lucas

1568646660

Excellent company with excellent staff, couldn't fault their organisation and execution of my Camino walk. My special thanks to Ylenia who looked after my bookings and organised things for me.

LUCIA CARABINE

1568379982

Fantastic service and Ylenia Conesa who handled the booking was a delight and very efficient

Jasmine Pantuso

1566740986

Santiago Ways, and our advisor Ylenia Conesa , provided an outstanding travel experience! Ylenia answered every question that I had during my trip planning process! The accommodations were absolutely charming, and the food was perfect! Thank you for the experience of a lifetime!

Yuko Fujita

1565109813

Celebrating 60th birthday, we walked 100 kilos for 10 days. No pain and no blisters. Santiago ways transported our luggage on time every day even we changed one of the hotel to Paradores. Taxis were always on time waiting for us. All hotels were clean, friendly and conveniently located. The... food and buildings and history of each accommodations were all unique and wonderful! I will use Santiago ways for my next Camino. Andriana was very helpful. Thank you! Muchas Gracias!read more

Yana Mileva

1563456893

We booked our "Camino" trip via this agency. Our agent was Vanessa and we are ecstatic with the service! The booking went very smoothly. All our questions were answered and all our wished addressed in a very quick manner. Actually, the agency had to ping us a few times via email and WhatsApp, as we... were the ones too slow to answer them. They even made arrangements for us to take our dog on the trip and book the appropriate hotels. The luggage transfer was wonderful. We had a pickup from Santiago to our starting point on "Camino" that also worked perfectly. We can highly recommend the services of this agency. I have to admit that I have not compared prices and if there is something cheaper on the market, but the service we received here was impeccable. We had a wonderful trip and are planing to come back next year and walk another "Camino" again. Buen Camino everyone!read more

Peggy White

1563416553

Walking the Camino was the best experience of my life! Partially because I had such a great support crew of Santiago Ways! I worked with Vanessa Veiga who organized my trip to suit my needs. When some details needed to be changed, she kindly worked with me to make it happen. My accommodations... were all very different- from Casa Rurals to hostels to Pensions, but they were all excellent. The luggage transfer worked perfectly, too. I highly recommend this company to anyone planning to walk the Camino!read more

Tamir Shemer

1562590273

excellent experience with Santiago way team, all that was promised accomplished to the last detail , the transportation, the hotels choices , the path segment choice, the information provided ,the luggage transfer just a perfect vacation

mary ellen canal

1561738366

Santiago Ways is the perfect agency to help you plan you Camino de Santiago.Since the first day that i wrote my email the response was very fast, gladly i began speaking to the agent Vanessa Viega and she made sure i had all the information and helped me plan everything, she was really great .i... really enjoyed my Camino, i was looking forward for it and it did satisfied my expectations.This experience for me was the most special in my life, i am really thinking about doing it again starting in Portugalread more

Winston Fernandez

1560477405

I used Santiago Ways on my first Camino in March this year. The trail that I did was from Vigo to Santiago de Compostela. The experience was truly fantastic ….. mainly because of Santiago Ways.My contact person at Santiago Ways was Vanessa Veiga. Right from the onset Vanessa was extremely helpful... , sensitive and very attentive to all my requests. She responded swiftly to all my mails. She selected the right hotels which were excellent and the luggage always arrived on time.I am planning my second Camino next April and I would continue to use Santiago Ways and in particular Vanessa. Thanks a million Vanessa and continue the good work to all the pilgrims who want to experience a true Camino.Winston FernandezKuala Lumpur, Malaysiaread more

Marion Tilley-Vyner

1558710167

Santiago Ways made it possible for me to do the pilgrimage. At 69 I did not like the idea of staying in a hostal, I like a bit of privacy and comfort! And I could not have done the walking while carrying my luggage. Adriana at Santiago Ways helped me work out my route and booked hotels and luggage... transfers. Also, having them there in case I had any problems, was very reassuring. Adriana was only a phone call away. I recommend using Santiago Ways for anyone having doubts about doing the pilgrimage - they make it so much easier!read more

Tammy Shain

1558016617

Vanessa was awesome and we loved Santiago Ways! We had a group of 8 college friends that were all around 50-years old. The deciding factor in choosing Santiago Ways was the group discount offered for groups of 6 or more. All other companies threshold for a discount was 10 people. Vanessa and the... staff were awesome to work with throughout the process. We did the five day hike from Sarria to Santiago. We requested superior accommodations in places that were on the trail. The accommodations were top notch and 4 of the 5 places were directly on the trail. The exception was our night in Lavacolla in which we were .4 miles off the trail. It was our choice to stay in that location in order to have a shorter walk to Santiago on our final day so we could make the noon mass. We were pleasantly surprised at how clean each place was and they all had great bar and restaurant choices in close proximity - with the exception of Lavacolla so we recommend eating on-site - it was very good.read more

Sandi Frost Steensma

1557882056

We had an excellent experience on the Camino with Santiago Ways. We had 14 women and everything was wonderful. We enjoyed the hotels, loved the daily luggage transport and the food was terrific. Santiago Ways communicated throughout our trip. We felt well-supported when we needed to make changes. ... Thank you!!read more

1557796708

Beatriz Beltranena

1557496357

Santiago Ways is excellent they exceeded my expectations!! they do a great JOB and we had a "Buen Camino" in part thanks to them... lovely hotels.. flawless bag transfers and great great service!!! I would totally recommend them and please look for Vanessa she is the best.

Jan Schubert

1540283863

My family and I used Santiago Ways to organize our recent pilgrimage from Lisbon to Porto. They did an excellent job booking us (as much as possible) into wonderful, small, family-run hotels and coping with the many changes dictated by "group" travel. In addition, one of us was traveling by bicycle... whilst the rest were walking, necessitating even more planning which Santiago Ways did with patience and grace. We recommend using Santiago Ways for Camino support and planning!!! Jan Schubertread more

Jill Scher

1540283394

My family and I (6 of us) just finished walking the Lisbon to Porto section of the Camino Portuguese. It was a wonderful experience for us. The hotels we were booked into were well chosen and the food was great. We also found the path to be well marked making way finding fairly easy. A great relief... as we had heard it was not well marked. Our luggage was efficiently transferred each day and everything ran very smoothly. Thank you Santiago Ways! We would definitely recommend your services to our friends. Jillread more

Kenneth E. Nowell

1539266451

Santiago Ways made my memorable hike trouble-free. I had excellent hotels, tasty breakfasts, dependable baggage forwarding, informative advance information, and a dependable drive to deliver me to Sarria. I really appreciate their attention to detail!

Margo Gosia Barker

1537726336

We booked our El Camino with Santiago Ways and we were very lucky to have Silvia as our agent. She did a fantastic job organizing our trip, always promptly responding to our inquiries, impeccable English, all accommodations that she arranged for us were great, and our luggage was always delivered... to the next location timely, before our arrivals to sites. I would definitely recommend Santiago Ways and ask for Silvia to be your representative.read more

Patricia Bazán

1535736686

This trip changed my life in ways I could not describe! I knew the hiking was going to be a challenge, but Santiago Ways made it so easy to plan and execute. They are truly the best and I am already planning my next trip with Santiago Ways and would not think of going anywhere else. Silvia Rivera... was particularly helpful in the planning, as she answered all my questions patiently, and help me through the process. Great job, Guys, and I will see you next year!read more

Roberto Canto

1508273503

Have just finished El Camino de Santiago from Sarria with the help of Santiago Ways. They have been extremely accesible from day one. The transfer of the luggage throught the five days was impecable, always finding the luggage in the room on every stage of the way. The food and lodging was very... acceptable. If I were to do it again I would not hesitate to contact them once more for their assistance! "Buen camino".read more

Edmee Flores

1499784056

Our experience with Santiago Ways was flawless. We highly recommend this outfit for your Santiago way experience. A perfect 10!

Barbara Melinska

1481106970

Very nice experience. Good and professional organization.Nice and friendly environment during the event. Recommended 100 %. Saludos para Jose ;)

Hanna Ringel

1480932310

Simply put - an incredible experience! This agency looks after every last detail. I walked the last 100 km of the Camino with their help and I definitely want to go back soon and do a longer part of the route. When that happens (which I hope is soon) I'll definitely be using Santiago Ways again!... Thanks for everything.read more

7 questions about the Camino de Santiago