Here we have listed some of the most popular questions and short answers related with the Camino de Santiago and this website. If you have any other question, please do not hesitate to contact us – info@waytosantiago.com

Camino de Santiago FAQs

What is the Best Time to Walk the Camino?
The “Camino de Santiago” can be walked at any time of year, but we recommend the period from March to November.
The route is well signposted?
The Way to Santiago in Portugal and Spain is very well signposted with yellow arrows along the route. In Spain as well as yellow arrows the path is signposted with tiles on which a scallop shell shows the direction to go.
Who can do the Way? ?
Everyone! Age and physical condition are not constraints to the realization of this experience. We can adjust the length of the stages to your physical situation. Contact us!
What are the physical condition requirements?
We suggest that before starting the Way, you make some physical preparation to adapt your body to long walks. You'll need to be in good health and able to walk for a few hours, with some up-and-down, and on varied terrain, from well-defined paths to rocky trails. If you have any health problem we recommend a previous medic evaluation. You will be walking from 4-6-hours per day and the average walking stage is 22km (14 miles) per day. The landscape will be some ups and downs and the trail is a combination of rural (dirt) paths, stone footpaths, softer country roads and some few inevitable main roads. A reasonably good level of fitness is required to carry out this trip. Please read our page with some preparation advices – click here
Can I do the program alone?
Yes, the Way is safe and the program can be carried out by one person alone. On the “Camino” you will for sure find the company of other pilgrims.
Equipment?
Please read our page with some preparation advices
How is luggage transported between accommodations?
Each morning you leave your luggage at the hotel reception before departing. Our team will collect and deliver your luggage to the next hotel. Full instructions will be included in the travel documents.
What is a Self-guided Tour?
A self-guided tour is a self-governing tour where one navigates a route oneself as opposed to an escorted tour. Self-Guided Tour is the best option for independent travellers where you navigates the route oneself. We provide all the information: suggestions, maps, instructions, directions, and items to see or do during self-guided tours. Each of our self-guided tour is a complete and affordable vacation, tailored specifically for independent travellers who demand exceptional value and flexibility. Our self-guided tours offer the same quality, style, service and comforts of typical guided trips. The only difference is that with self-guided... you are the guide!
How to arrive to Porto?
You should fly to Oporto Airport (Airport Francisco Sá Carneiro). When you arrive to the airport you have several options to go from the airport to Oporto city centre:
→ By private transfer (we can provide this service)
→ In a taxi (cost approx. 25 euros)
→ By metro (line B – costs 2 euros)
If you start the Way in Ponte de Lima or Valença, we will give you the details how to get there for the specific day of your arrival.
Visas and Permits?
It is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
What are the departure dates?
The self-guided tours are available daily from March to November. As this is a very popular walking route and hotels can fill up quickly, we recommend you confirm your trip as far in advance as possible. Due to the heat we recommend you avoid walking long distances in the month of August.
When I receive the Route notes?
After the confirmation of the tours we will send you some preparation advices. On Day 1 you will receive your road book, which include route notes, 24-hour emergency contact details, as well as useful information about the route. If you have any question our travel specialists are available to answer to all your questions.
The Camino de Santiago is only for religious people?
No. Today the Camino attracts thousands of people from all over the world– representing all faiths and no faith. Non-religious pilgrims are typically attracted to the ancient architecture, art, and the nature aspects the Camino has to offer.
What is a "Credencial" and how do I get one?
The "Credencial" is a document to identify you as a Pilgrim along the Way and on arriving to Santiago. Along the Way, you can have it stamped by hostels, parishes, Police Stations, institutions and shops who have witnessed your passage. When you arrive in Santiago, you can take your "Credencial" to the Church authorities in order to obtain the “Compostela”. We provide to all our clients the official "Credencial" from the Cathedral of Santiago.
What is a "Compostela"?
The "Compostela" is the official accreditation for completing the Way to Santiago. This is awarded by the Cathedral of Santiago through the Pilgrim Office to those pilgrims who have made the journey along one of the official routes, collecting the stamps or signatures from parishes, hostels or refuges, in their ‘passport’ along the route and who have made the journey in a Christian spirit. To qualify, you must have completed at least the last 100km of any one of the recognized Ways (or 200km if you go by bike). PLEASE NOTE:Due to the large influx of pilgrims at certain times of the year, and to avoid long waiting times, the Pilgrim Office in Santiago de Compostela has installed a numbered ticket system for their enquiry desk and to issue pilgrim certificates (the Compostela). This new system allows pilgrims to collect their ticket and, using a QR Code, to check the status of the queue and estimated waiting time to obtain the Compostela. However, the number of tickets per day is limited so on days with high numbers of pilgrims, there is a possibility that not all pilgrims will be able to collect their certificate on the day of arrival and will have to return the following morning. Therefore, if obtaining a pilgrim certificate is important to you, and if you plan to undertake your Camino between April 15th and October 15th, we recommend that you arrange your return travel in such a way that you will be in Santiago de Compostela during the morning after your arrival. Better still, we encourage you to book a second night in Santiago so that you can calmly collect your certificate and enjoy the charms of the city. For more information, please contact us.
What is a year "Jacobeu"?
These were years in which the day of Santiago (July 25) is a Sunday. The "Jacobeu" are cyclically every 6, 5, 6 and 11 years. The last was in 2010 and the next will be in 2021.
Still have any question?
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Our exclusive, reliable and personalized roadbook have all the necessary information to complete the Way. On time we also provide you all the necessary information to do a correct preparation.

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