Travel 2 Spain

Land of the siesta, daily life in Spain moves slowly and runs until late. Many travelers can get frustrated at the limited store hours and seemingly laid back pace of life. But it’s this Spanish perspective – move slowly, enjoy yourself, eat well, and relax – which gives the country so much character. Spain is a beautiful, interesting, and dynamic country. Madrid and Barcelona are hip and energetic cities. Visit Granada for a Moorish touch. Visit the beautiful Basque Country in the north and get off the beaten track. Valencia is a great port town that heaves with crowds during the August tomato throwing festival in Bunol. Take a quick jaunt to the Canary Islands or Ibiza. The list goes on. Spain is a lovely and diverse country and, unlike other Western European countries, will be a lot kinder to your budget.

Typical Costs

Accommodation – Accommodation in Spain is pretty cheap when compared to other Western European countries. Dorm beds in hostels typically begin around 15 EUR per night and go as high as 30 EUR in major cities like Barcelona or Madrid. Hostel private rooms start around 40 EUR per night for a double. Budget hotels begin at that price and go up from there. In some small towns, you can find accommodation for less.

Food – You can get cheap tapas and sandwiches meals for between 3-7 EUR. If you want wine included, expect to spend about 10-13 EUR per meal. A good restaurant meal will set you back around 13 EUR. If you go out for paella, drinks, or appetizers, then you should plan to spend around 22 EUR for a meal. Spain has a lot of expensive restaurants, and meals there begin around 27 EUR with a drink. Fast food like McDonalds and Maoz cost around 6 EUR. Groceries will cost around 30 EUR per week, especially if you stick to the copious local markets around the country.

Transportation – City metro and bus lines cost 1-3 EUR per trip. The train system (Renfe) can be expensive. High speed trains can cost between 50-140 EUR, depending on distance and how popular the route is. Slower regional trains range between 15-45 EUR per trip. Overnight buses are the cheapest inter-city option and cost around 18 EUR.

Activities – Museums and attractions in Spain cost between 2-14 EUR. Diving on the islands will cost around 45 EUR per dive.

Money Saving Tips

Get the menu of the day – Most restaurants have a cheap “menu of the day” during lunch around 7-9 EUR. They are a good way to save money on food and taste delicious Spanish food. Skip eating out for dinner – it’s too expensive.

Take the bus – While the train system is fast, it’s expensive. If you have the time and want to save money, take the buses.