Taste of the Camino de Santiago

Others will know better, but there is very little in Roncesvalles, the normal stop after stage 1. I’m not sure there are many lodgings with private rooms and the ones there are should probably be reserved well before you get there. Likewise there are few shops and restaurants. If just passing though, it can be seen if 15 minutes. The same goes for Zubiri, the day 2 stop.

There are more lodgings with private rooms if you were to start in Pamplona then walk for a couple days staying Puente La Reina, Estella, Los Arcos, and ending in Logroño. Those towns are larger than the villages/hamlets between St. Jean Pied du Port to Pamplona.

1) https://www.expressbourricot.com
luggage transfer
2) Taxi Roncesvalles / Taxi de confiance Reserva: [email protected] / +34 670 61 61 90 / www.taxiasier.com
3) https://laposada.roncesvalles.es
Private room in Roncesvalles
4) Txantxoren [email protected]
Private room in Zubiri
Both can also be booked via BC

How fun!

My info may be stale. I believe Ms Jo who posts here often has done the camino many times and always has uptodate info -- hope she pops in.

Best forum that we found for info was https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums

We used jacotrans to move our stuff . Super easy. (We also used camino ways to arrange lodging and luggage transfer but most handled this themselves.) As mentioned above, Roncevalles and zubiri are small and so many/most pre-book these stops. Booking.com and others will show options. In Roncevalles there is monastery that is pretty popular.

Buen camino!

One of the highlights of the Camino Frances for me and for many others, is staying overnight up in the Pyrenees. There are only 2 places, Borda and Orisson. They both just have one private room, so if you want to stay there you would need to reserve ASAP. Borda has the nicest rooms! Even the dorm room is wonderful, with only 4 single beds in their own space and with their own bathroom. Perhaps consider that, even if you think a private room is needed. It gives you a bit more of the feeling of what being on a Camino is like. Since you are going for a taste of it?

There is a hotel in Roncesvalles with private rooms and there are private rooms in Zubiri too.
You already have the link to the best forum.

As suggested, you could start in Pamplona.
Perhaps download the Wise Pilgrim or Camino Ninja apps to find rooms.

https://www.aubergeborda.com/en

I'm planning a trip in September to bike the northern route. Is anyone familiar with the travel company "Camino Ways"? Are they reputable? anyone have a better suggestion? Thanks so much.

My wife and I used Camino Ways and were quite happy with them. My sister-in-law is looking at using them this fall.

happy travels

Deutsche Welle joins pilgrims and shares useful hiking tips for walking Spain's Camino de Santiago.

In 2025, more than half a million people made the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain for the first time - a new tourism record. The pilgrimage seems more popular than ever. There are many routes leading to Santiago de Compostela’s cathedral, where the remains of the Saint James, one of the Twelve Apostles, are said to be buried. A new record is expected in 2027, when a Holy Jacobean Year will take place.

https://www.dw.com/en/making-the-most-of-your-santiago-de-compostela-pilgrimage-spain-hike-walk/video-76569577

My wife and I are planning an approximate 56 day journey starting in mid-April 2027 using www.caminoways.com which sets up your private lodgings, bag transfer service and even includes some meals. I would strongly recommend them. Thanks to the last poster who referenced Deutsche Welle and the fact that 2027 is considered a Holy Jacobean Year so it will be more crowded than usual. I'm glad that we are going in Spring to avoid the Summer crowds and heat.

Do be aware that summer is not the busy time on the Camino Frances, but April-May, and Sept.-Oct.
Springtime can be quite busy, but it is also beautiful, green and a zillion flowers. Lots of storks, frogs, and cuck-coos.