Considering the number of Camino de Santiago routes, and the fact that many people don't do an entire route, the question "How long does the Camino de Santiago take?" is like asking "How long is a piece of string?"

However, if you plan on doing the whole of the most popular route, the Camino Frances, from St Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela, the walk should take you about 30 to 35 days.

To achieve this time, you would need to walk between 23 and 27 kilometers per day (14-16 miles).

See also:

• Camino de Santiago Guide Complete advice from my experience on the Camino
• Camino de Santiago Blog My day-by-day diary on the road on the Camino de Santiago
• Camino de Santiago Pictures

What if you don't feel you have the time to spend up to seven weeks on the road? There is no reason you have to start in St Jean Pied de Port. Read more about Where to Start the Camino de Santiago.

If you don't plan on doing the whole of the Camino Frances, you have a few questions you need to ask yourself.

1. How long do I have to do the Camino de Santiago?
2. Can I come back in future and continue where I left off?
3. Is it really important that I reach Santiago de Compostela this time?

If you decide that you have to finish the Camino this time, consider walking these shorter routes:
 

• Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela: about 28 days
• Logroño to Santiago de Compostela: about 25 days
• Burgos to Santiago de Compostela: about 20 days

• Leon to Santiago de Compostela: 12-14 days
• Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela: eight or nine days
• Sarria to Santiago de Compostela: four or five days.