Spain Travel Budget: Realistic Daily Costs and Total Trip Prices

Planning a Spain trip means understanding what things actually cost. Accommodation varies by city and season. Meals range from €3 tapas to €50+ fine dining. Trains can be great value, but booking earlier often gets better fares and better departure times. Attractions add up—Alhambra, Sagrada Família, and top museums are ticketed. This Spain travel budget guide breaks down realistic costs: daily budgets by travel level, accommodation and food ranges, transport expenses, city-by-city comparisons, and practical ways to save money without sacrificing the experience.

Evergreen note: Spain’s cost categories stay stable year-round, but prices change with seasonality, demand, and exchange rates. Treat the numbers below as realistic ranges and verify current prices before booking.

In this guide you’ll learn: How much Spain costs per day by travel level, what accommodation/food/transport typically cost, realistic trip budgets for 7, 10, and 14 days, how Spain compares to other European countries, city-by-city differences, and practical tips to save money.

Built for: Budget travelers, mid-range explorers, comfort-seeking travelers, and anyone planning a Spain trip who wants realistic cost expectations.

Spain Budget at a Glance (Fast Cost Snapshot)

Daily budget ranges (per person): Budget €85–€140 • Mid-range €140–€240 • Comfort €240–€420 • Luxury €420+.
Biggest cost driver: accommodation (seasonality + location).
Accommodation (per night): Hostel dorm bed (per person) €25–€40 • Mid-range double room (per room) €60–€120 • Comfort hotel double (per room) €120–€220 • Luxury €220+. (Per-room prices assume 2 people sharing for per-person budgets.)
Meals (per person/day): Budget €15–€25 • Mid-range €30–€55 • Comfort €55–€90 • Luxury €90+.
Attractions (per person/day): ~€10–€40 depending on how many paid sights you visit.
Local transport (per person/day): often ~€5–€10 in major cities (passes and prices vary by city).
Mid-range trip totals (per person, excluding international flights): 7 days €1,000–€1,700 • 10 days €1,400–€2,400 • 14 days €2,000–€3,400.
General price pattern: Typically cheaper outside Barcelona/Madrid; Valencia and many smaller cities often offer stronger value. Prices spike in peak weeks and during big events.
Peak-week note: in busy summer or event weeks, Barcelona and central Madrid can drift above mid-range and into comfort-level pricing.
Best time for budget: November–March (low season, cheaper hotels). Avoid July–August for the highest prices.

1. Average Daily Cost in Spain (by travel level)

Spain’s daily costs vary by travel style and season. The ranges below are per person and assume accommodation + food + local transport + attractions. Add inter-city travel separately if you’re changing bases (see transport section).

Budget: €85–€140/day

Accommodation: hostel dorm bed €25–€40 (per person) or budget rooms in cheaper cities
Food: €15–€25 (markets, tapas bars, simple meals)
Attractions: €5–€15 (free neighborhoods + 1 paid sight every 2–3 days)
Local transport: €5–€10

Best for: travelers prioritizing value and walkable neighborhoods, with selective paid sights.

Mid-range: €140–€240/day

Accommodation: €60–€120 per night for a mid-range double room (per room; split by 2 lowers per-person cost)
Food: €30–€55 (mix of casual + good restaurants)
Attractions: €15–€35 (major sights + a couple smaller entries)
Local transport: €5–€10

Solo traveler note: if you’re not splitting a room, treat the room cost as per-person and expect a higher daily total.

Best for: most travelers—good hotels, strong food, and major attractions without constant compromises.

Comfort: €240–€420/day

Accommodation: €120–€220 per night for a nicer double room (per room)
Food: €55–€90 (excellent restaurants, more sit-down meals)
Attractions: €25–€45 (more paid sights; occasional tours)
Local transport: €5–€15 (or occasional taxis)

Best for: travelers who want convenience, nicer stays, and “yes” to most attractions.

Luxury: €420+/day

Accommodation: luxury hotels and prime locations
Food: fine dining and premium experiences
Attractions: private guides, premium tours
Transport: more taxis/private transfers

2. What’s included in a “daily budget”

To avoid confusion, here’s how we define “daily budget” in this guide:

Included: accommodation, food, local transport, typical attraction entry fees
Not included: international flights, travel insurance, shopping, nightlife splurges, and inter-city transport (trains/flights between bases)

Hidden-cost watchlist: city/tourist taxes (where applicable), apartment cleaning fees, and tours/skip-the-line upgrades can quietly add ~€10–€40/day depending on your choices.

Base count is a budget lever: every extra base change usually adds inter-city transport + “first night” higher hotel rates + time friction. Fewer bases is often the cheapest itinerary design.

Trip cost reality: Your total cost is driven by (1) hotel seasonality, (2) how many bases you change, and (3) how many ticketed “anchors” you include (Alhambra, Sagrada Família, major museums).

Looking for a smarter way to manage your travel money? Wise offers real exchange rates with no hidden fees, making it the perfect companion for international trips.

3. Accommodation Costs in Spain

Comfortable mid-range hotel room in Spain with balcony view, suitcase, and travel guidebook, featured in a Spain travel budget guide

Accommodation is usually the biggest expense. Prices vary most by city and season. Where you stay matters—see Where to Stay in Spain (neighborhoods and base strategy) for area-level picks that balance cost and walkability.

Hostel prices

Dorm bed (per person): €25–€40
Private room in hostel (per room): €40–€80

Seasonality: peak summer and holiday/event weeks can push prices sharply higher; low season can bring meaningful discounts.

Hotel prices

Mid-range double room (per room): €60–€120
Comfort double room (per room): €120–€220
Luxury: €220+

Pattern: Barcelona and Madrid usually sit at the top end; smaller cities and Valencia often offer better value. For pure savings, travel in low season; for balance, target shoulder months (see Best Time to Visit Spain).

Apartment rentals (Airbnb-style)

One-bedroom (per unit): €50–€140 depending on city, neighborhood, and season
Longer stays: some properties discount 7+ nights

Note: compare total cost after cleaning fees; apartments can be great value for groups and longer stays.

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4. Food and Drink Costs in Spain

Spain has excellent food at every budget level. Prices climb in tourist zones and peak weeks. Lunch is often cheaper than dinner, especially if you use menu del día.

Cheap meals, tapas, and everyday food

Tapas: often €2–€5 per item
Bocadillos: often €3–€6
Casual meal: often €8–€15
Menu del día (lunch): often €10–€15 (high value)

Mid-range restaurants

Typical dinner: ~€20–€40 per person depending on city and choices. Tourist hotspots often cost more than local neighborhoods.

Fine dining

Fine dining: ~€50–€150+ per person. Reservations are often essential in top places (especially food-first cities like San Sebastián).

Coffee, wine, and beer

Coffee: often €1–€2
Wine (glass): often €3–€8 (bars can be cheaper)
Beer: often €2–€4
Supermarket baseline: significantly lower than restaurants

5. Transportation Costs in Spain

Modern high-speed train traveling through the Spanish countryside at golden hour, featured in a Spain travel budget transportation guide

Transportation is generally affordable, but prices vary by how early you book and how often you change bases. For route planning logic, see Getting Around Spain (train vs car decision).

Trains (high-speed and regional)

High-speed: commonly ~€30–€100+ depending on distance, timing, and booking window
Regional: commonly ~€15–€40

Rule: booking earlier usually improves price and departure-time options. Last-minute fares can be much higher.

Domestic flights

Typical range: ~€50–€150 one-way. Flights make the most sense for islands (Balearics/Canaries) or when schedules make rail impractical. For most classic city pairs, trains often win on door-to-door time.

Car rental

Rental: commonly €30–€60/day for a compact car
Fuel: varies (check current prices)
Parking: city centers can be expensive and annoying
Tolls: some routes have tolls; costs vary by distance

Car rule: a car is best for rural villages, nature-heavy routes, and some coastal hopping—not big-city days.

Public transport

Public transport is efficient in major cities. If you take 3–4 rides/day, a day pass or multi-ride card often pays off—check the city’s transport authority for the best option. As a baseline, assume often ~€5–€10/day for typical metro/bus use.

Want to save on train tickets? Search routes and compare prices on Omio — and check for available discounts or referral credit when you book (offers can vary by location/account).

6. Flights to Spain: typical price ranges

International flight prices vary widely by season, route, and how early you book. Use these as broad expectations (shown in € equivalents) and convert at booking time. Prices vary wildly by departure city and baggage.

Flights from the USA

Typical round-trip range: ~€600–€1,800+ depending on season and departure city. Low season is often cheaper; peak summer is usually most expensive.

Flights from the UK

Typical round-trip range: ~€100–€600 depending on route, season, and baggage. Deals can appear frequently.

Flights from other European countries

Typical round-trip range: ~€80–€500 depending on distance, season, and airline.

7. Total Trip Cost Examples (7 / 10 / 14 days)

Below are realistic trip totals per person, excluding international flights. These totals assume typical city travel (major bases + day trips) and include accommodation, food, local transport, and attractions.

Quick estimate: (daily budget × number of days) + inter-city transport + a 10–15% buffer.

7-day Spain trip cost

Budget: ~€600–€1,000
Mid-range: ~€1,000–€1,700
Comfort: ~€1,700–€3,000

10-day Spain trip cost

Budget: ~€850–€1,400
Mid-range: ~€1,400–€2,400
Comfort: ~€2,400–€4,200

14-day Spain trip cost

Budget: ~€1,200–€2,000
Mid-range: ~€2,000–€3,400
Comfort: ~€3,400–€6,000

Reality check: the fastest way to lower total cost is fewer bases (less inter-city transport) and booking accommodation earlier in peak weeks.

8. Spain Travel Budget by City

Costs vary by city, season, and how central you stay. The ranges below are mid-range estimates to illustrate relative differences.

Assumption: totals are per person sharing a double room. Solo travelers should expect a higher per-person total.

Mid-range daily cost comparison by city (per person, sharing a double room)
City	Mid-range hotel (double room)	Meal (mid-range)	Local transit/day	1 paid sight	Mid-range total/day (per person)
Madrid	€70–€120	€20–€35	often ~€5–€10	~€10–€20	~€140–€220
Barcelona	€80–€130	€22–€40	often ~€5–€12	~€15–€35	~€170–€240
Seville	€60–€100	€18–€30	often ~€5–€10	~€10–€20	~€120–€190
Valencia	€50–€90	€15–€25	often ~€5–€10	~€10–€20	~€110–€170

How to read the totals: totals assume hotel cost split by two + one mid-range meal + one paid sight, plus typical local transport.

Tip: choosing a great-value city (like Valencia) for part of the trip can offset pricier days in Barcelona or Madrid.

Peak-week note: in busy summer or event weeks, Barcelona and central Madrid can exceed mid-range ranges and drift into comfort-level pricing.

9. Is Spain expensive compared to other European countries?

Spain is generally mid-priced in Western Europe. It’s often cheaper than France and Germany, similar to Italy (depending on the cities), and more expensive than Portugal and much of Eastern Europe.

Spain vs France: Spain is often cheaper for hotels and restaurants in comparable cities.
Spain vs Italy: broadly similar; major tourist centers can be expensive in both.
Spain vs Portugal: Portugal is often cheaper overall.
Spain vs Germany: Spain is often cheaper for daily travel costs.

10. How to Save Money in Spain

Smart planning keeps costs down without sacrificing experience.

Menu del día strategy: lunch is often the best value (€10–€15). Dinner usually costs more.
Book accommodation earlier in peak weeks: hotels are the biggest swing.
Book trains earlier: better fares and better departure times are more common when booking ahead.
Use passes when they fit your day: if you take multiple rides daily, multi-day or weekly options can help.
Avoid peak season when possible: July–August is usually the most expensive; shoulder season is a strong balance.
Stay walkable: choosing a central base reduces daily taxi rides and saves time.
Free time is real value: neighborhoods, plazas, viewpoints, parks, and self-guided walks are often the best parts of Spain.
Supermarket and market meals: great quality for less—especially for breakfasts and quick lunches.

11. Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Spain cost per day?

Spain typically costs €85–€140/day for budget travel, €140–€240/day for mid-range, €240–€420/day for comfort, and €420+/day for luxury per person. These ranges assume accommodation, food, local transport, and typical attraction entry fees.

How much does a 7/10/14-day trip to Spain cost?

As a realistic per-person range (excluding international flights): 7 days ~€600–€1,000 (budget) or ~€1,000–€1,700 (mid-range). 10 days ~€850–€1,400 (budget) or ~€1,400–€2,400 (mid-range). 14 days ~€1,200–€2,000 (budget) or ~€2,000–€3,400 (mid-range). Comfort travel increases totals significantly.

What is the biggest cost driver in Spain?

Accommodation is usually the biggest cost driver—especially in Barcelona/Madrid and during peak summer or event weeks.

Is Spain expensive for tourists?

Spain is moderately priced compared to Western Europe. It’s often cheaper than France and Germany, similar to Italy depending on the cities, and more expensive than Portugal and Eastern Europe.