Charging your Phone, Headphones, and Battery on the Camino de Santiago

Charging your Phone, Headphones, and Battery on the Camino de Santiago

For an extended pilgrimage, such as the Camino de Santiago or the Via Francigena, keeping your phone battery and devices charged can be very important. Not only will you want to charge your batteries for photos and videos, but keeping your smartphone battery charged can keep your GPS maps and messaging apps ready for your Camino.

Having walked the Camino de Santiago, California Missions Trail, England’s Pilgrims’ Way, the Way of St. Cuthbert, the Via Francigena, and sections of both the Florida Trail and Appalachian Trail in recent years, I can attest that a charged battery in my iPhone and other devices is unbelievably important. Despite different plugs, outlet adapters, and voltages, keeping your phone and batteries charged during your pilgrimage doesn’t have to be challenging. With that in mind, here are a few recommended methods and devices.

 

CHARGING YOUR PHONE AND BATTERY ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

First and foremost, the basic rule of “ALWAYS BE CHARGING” definitely applies here. If you’re stopping in a cafe for lunch or overnight in an albergue, charge your iPhone and devices if plugs are available. The reason for this is simple: you may not get a good opportunity at your next stop.

 

BEST PHONE CHARGERS FOR THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

I highly recommend using a multiple USB charger for the Camino. Not only will this allow you to charge your iPhone and battery, but you can share the plug with other pilgrims. In my experience, pilgrims with USB multi-chargers were given first priority for outlets because they could share the charge with others.

I carry the Anker PD USB-C GaN Fast Charger – 4 USB on my Caminos because it weighs just 4.8 ounces (136g) and has fast-charge technology for USB-C and USB-A devices such as iPhones, iPad, Samsung, battery packs, and tablets.

Note: Carry a corded multi-charger; units with foldable plus may not fit or stay plugged into some outlets.

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BEST PHONE BATTERY FOR THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

On the Camino de Santiago, weight matters in your backpack, so I recommend a lighter-weight phone battery. Unlike the Appalachian Trail, you can reasonably expect to find a place to recharge your iPhone or Android regularly, so a smaller capacity battery (which also happens to weigh less) is the best option for your journey.

I carry the Zendure Power Bank 10000mAh Mini Portable Charger on my pilgrimages because it is very light, it can recharge two devices at high-speed simultaneously, it offers pass-through charging, and it’s roughly as big as a credit card. I also like that the Anker PD USB-C GaN Fast Charger – 4 USB can recharge this battery completely in only three hours using a USB-C cable.

Note: A 10,000mAh battery is all that is needed on the Camino; a 15-20,000mAh battery may be better for the Via Francigena. 

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BEST PLUG OUTLET ADAPTER FOR THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

If you’re traveling internationally to walk the Camino de Santiago, you will likely need a plug adapter to ensure your devices will plug into the outlets in Spain. Spain uses “Type C” electrical outlets, sometimes called the “Euro-Plug” as this is most common throughout the EU and several other areas.

For plug adapters, simple is best. There are a number of multi-plug, world-wide devices that – in my experience – are prone to failure because the internal mechanics to select the plug type are plastic. It’s better (and less expensive) to buy simple Type C adapters. I’ve had really good success with the Ceptics Grounded European Plugs.

NOTE: While you can find adapters in many stores along the Camino, I recommend carrying two plug adapters in case you forget to remove one from the outlet. I mark adapters with a red Sharpie marker to catch my eye and remind me to take both my plug AND the adapter. 

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BEST PHONE CHARGING CABLES FOR THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

Because you can’t always know where the plugs will be located in an albergue or cafe, it’s a good idea to carry longer charging cables for your phone, headphones, and batteries. If the plug is some distance from your bed, for example, you won’t need to leave your device on the other side of the room.

I’ve had the best success with higher rated phone cables, but – to some degree – any cable that meets your phone or device specifications may work well in this situation.

 

 

 

 

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