Spain can be very economical or quite expensive, depending on your choices. This guide will help you understand the real costs and plan an adequate budget for your trip.
Indicative budgets per day
The following ranges are indicative per person per day, excluding international flights. Prices vary greatly depending on region, season and type of accommodation.
Low budget (€40-60/day)
- Hostels or guesthouses: €15-25/night
- Food in markets/supermarkets: €10-15/day
- Public transport: €5-10/day
- Free or economical activities: €5-10/day
Medium budget (€80-120/day)
- 3-star hotels: €40-70/night
- Local restaurants: €20-30/day
- Mixed transport: €10-20/day
- Some paid activities: €10-20/day
High budget (€150-250/day)
- 4-5 star hotels: €100-200/night
- Quality restaurants: €50-80/day
- AVE and taxis: €30-50/day
- All activities: €20-40/day
Luxury budget (€300+/day)
- Luxury hotels: €200+/night
- Gourmet restaurants: €100+/day
- Private transport: €50+/day
- Premium experiences: €50+/day
Cost breakdown
Accommodation
- Hostels/guesthouses: €15-35/night
- 2-3 star hotels: €40-80/night
- 4 star hotels: €80-150/night
- 5 star hotels: €150+/night
- Apartments/Airbnb: €50-120/night
- Variation by region: Madrid and Barcelona are 30-50% more expensive
- High season: Prices can double in summer and holidays
Food and drink
- Breakfast: €3-8 (coffee and toast) or €10-15 (full breakfast)
- Menu of the day: €10-15 (complete meal in local restaurant)
- Dinner in restaurant: €20-40/person (without alcohol)
- Tapas: €2-4 per tapa, €15-25 for a complete meal
- Supermarket: €20-30/day for 2 people
- Water: Free from tap (potable) or €1-2/bottle
- Wine: €2-5/glass in restaurant, €3-8/bottle in supermarket
Transport
- AVE (high speed): €30-150 depending on route and advance booking
- Regional train: €10-40 depending on distance
- Bus: €10-40 depending on distance
- Metro/urban bus: €1.50-2.50 per trip, €10-15 for 10-trip pass
- Taxi: €1.20-1.50/km (minimum €4-5)
- Car rental: €25-60/day (without fuel)
- Domestic flight: €50-150 depending on route
Activities and tickets
- Museums: €5-15 general admission
- Monuments: €5-20 depending on importance
- Theme parks: €30-60/day
- Shows: €20-100 depending on type
- Excursions: €30-100 depending on duration
- Free activities: Many squares, parks, beaches, viewpoints
Variations by region
Prices vary significantly depending on the region. The most touristic cities and coastal areas in high season are notably more expensive.
Most expensive regions:
- Madrid and Barcelona: 30-50% more expensive than average
- Costa del Sol (Málaga, Marbella): Very expensive in summer
- Balearic Islands: High prices in high season
- San Sebastián: One of the most expensive cities in Spain
Most economical regions:
- Andalusia (interior): Very economical away from coast
- Extremadura: Very low prices
- Castilla-La Mancha: Economical
- Medium cities: Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza (more economical than Madrid/Barcelona)
Tips to save money
- Travel in low season: Spring and autumn are cheaper than summer
- Book in advance: Especially accommodation and transport
- Eat like locals: Menu of the day at midday, tapas at night
- Use public transport: Much more economical than taxis
- Free activities: Many cities have free museums on certain days
- Avoid obvious tourist areas: Prices are higher
- Tap water: It's potable, you don't need to buy bottled water
Example budget (7 days)
Medium budget for 7 days (per person):
- Accommodation (6 nights): €300-500 (3-star hotel)
- Food: €150-200
- Transport: €100-200 (AVE + urban transport)
- Activities: €50-100
- Extras: €50-100
- TOTAL: €650-1,100 per person (without international flights)
Need more information?
These prices are indicative and may vary. It is always advisable to have a 10-20% margin for unforeseen events.