Besides being a beautiful country rich in culture and traditions, Spain is also one of the most convenient places to visit in Europe. If you want to live an intense experience without spending a fortune, it is an unmissable destination. To ensure you have an unforgettable trip, find out how to find affordable transportation, accommodations, restaurants and excursions.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Finding Low Cost Travel Solutions
Step 1. Choose popular destinations to find cheap flight deals
Being world-class airport hubs, Madrid and Barcelona are the cheapest and most convenient options both as a destination and as a starting point. When booking a ticket online, look for flights to or from a major city, then compare prices to other destinations to get a good deal.
- Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and Valencia are other destinations for which you can find cheap flights.
- Bilbao, Gran Canaria and Santiago de Compostela are the more expensive airports.
Step 2. Take advantage of the city bus lines to get around for between 1 and 3 euros
Spain's rail and bus network is one of the best in the world. The buses are clean and comfortable, not to mention that some also offer additional conveniences, such as seats with individual rear screens. To get a good deal, book your trip with companies like ALSA.
Night buses are the cheapest way to get from one city to another. The cost of a ticket is around 18 euros
Step 3. Buy a subway pass if you intend to stop in a certain city for some time
The cards are available in the metro stations and can be used for a whole week, with the possibility of unlimited travel at a fixed cost. Single rides are around € 1-3, while a card will allow you to make as many trips as you like over the course of a week.
Step 4. Prefer regular regional trains to high-speed ones (such as Renfe trains)
High-speed trains cost between € 50 and € 140, while normal lines cost only € 15-45 per journey. In general, night trains are the cheapest option, as the cost of a ticket is around 18 euros.
Step 5. Use car sharing programs like BlaBlaCar to get around quickly
Founded in France, this carpooling service is very popular in Spain. It's perfect for driving across the country or getting from city to city at a reasonable price. Just create a profile and find a driver available on the BlaBlaCar website, and then book the ride directly online.
- For example, you can find a ride from Madrid to Barcelona for just 35 euros.
- Set up your profile at https://www.blablacar.es. If you have already downloaded the application in Italy, all you have to do is open it and look for available drivers.
Part 2 of 4: Saving on Housing
Step 1. Book a hotel room between November and March to save up to 40%
In Spain, the high season lasts from April to October, so try to book your trip between November and March to find good deals on hotels. Visiting the country at this time of year also means avoiding the hordes of tourists who go there in spring or summer, making the trip much more relaxing.
Some cities don't follow the high season rule. For example, hotel prices in Seville are often reduced by 40% during the hottest months, such as July and August
Step 2. Look for small hotels and inns to find even better deals
Family-run, B&B-style inns are called pensiones or hostales. You can find accommodation in a 10-room pension for 45-80 euros per night. Do an online search by entering the travel dates on a search engine such as Booking to compare the reviews and prices of the various accommodations.
- In smaller inns it is sometimes necessary to share the bathroom with other guests.
- Avoid boarding houses located in city squares or main streets, as they tend to be expensive and noisy. Instead, look for rooms that overlook back streets or inns that are more inland than the barrio.
Step 3. Book a cabin to find budget accommodation in mountain areas
In almost all the mountainous regions of the Iberian Peninsula, there is a wide selection of cabins for rent. Of course, they are very rustic and offer only basic comforts, but they are also economical and therefore an excellent solution for those who want to save. You can book one on the Federación Española de Deportes de Montaña y Escalada website.
- To book a cabin, click on the Refugios link on the home page of the site
- Tourists who are not members of the federation have to pay 15 euros, while for members the price is halved.
- These places also offer cheap meals, for example breakfasts for 5 euros and dinners for 15 euros.
Step 4. Book a single room in a house for more convenience
Visit sites like Craigslist, Airbnb, Homestay, or a local agency to find a single room. Generally it is possible to rent the room for a day or a week depending on the type of service offered. The minimum costs are around 15 euros per night.
For security reasons, it is better to look for houses in the center, or in the apartments where Spanish or foreign students live
Step 5. Stay in a hostel to pay little and have the opportunity to meet other travelers
You can opt for a private room (the minimum cost of which is usually around 40 euros for a double) or for a dormitory (which is cheaper and costs between 20 and 30 euros). It is a good idea for those who want to meet other travelers and perhaps make new friends.
In Spain, free Wi-Fi is provided by almost all hostels. Many also offer breakfast at no extra cost
Step 6. Try couchsourfing if you are looking for an even cheaper solution
Look for places in major cities and be sure to book right away, as accommodations are often snapped up. To book quickly and securely, use sites like couchsurfing.com. Some hosts also act as tour guides and offer valuable insider tips on the area.
Look for homeowners who share a lot of personal information and have lots of positive reviews
Part 3 of 4: Eating Without Breaking Your Budget
Step 1. Have breakfast in a cafeteria or inquire to find out if the place you are staying offers it for free
Look for a local bar or cafe for a tasty but inexpensive breakfast. For added savings, you could also ask if the hotel or place you stay offers free breakfast.
A traditional Spanish breakfast includes café con leche (café au lait) and bread accompanied with diced tomatoes and olive oil
Step 2. Opt for tapas and sandwiches for a quick and cheap lunch
These dishes are easy to find on the street or in bars at a cost of around 3-7 euros per course. Tapas are miniportion food preparations (served as aperitifs or appetizers) that are salty, sweet or spicy. As culinary customs vary from one region to another, be sure to try various tapas in every place you visit!
- In Valencia and Catalonia, fried potatoes served with aioli are very popular.
- Croquetas (croquettes) of meat, fish or vegetables are served in almost all Spanish bars and restaurants.
- You could also try montaditos, small grilled sandwiches stuffed with meat, fish or vegetables.
- Tapas and sandwiches can be accompanied with a glass of wine, with a total cost of around 10-13 euros.
Step 3. Ask for the menu of the day in restaurants to have lunch at a low cost
Generally, eating at the restaurant costs around 13-22 euros, but the options on the menu of the day usually cost only 7-9 euros. It's a great ploy to save money and still taste the local dishes.
- The menu of the day often includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert or coffee. To drink, soft drinks, wine or beer are offered.
- To find out the menu of the day, ask the waiter: ¿Cuál es el menú del día?.
- Avoid eating out for dinner, as prices are often higher in the evening.
Step 4. Go shopping at the market if you stop for a few days
Eating out can weigh heavily on your wallet. If you have a kitchen or kitchenette available, take the opportunity to save. Avoid supermarkets and instead opt for neighborhood markets, which sell fresh fruit, vegetables and meat at a low cost.
For example, you could shop at Barcelona's Mercat de la Boqueria, a lively and colorful indoor market with a wide range of fruit, vegetables, fish, tapas and even pizza
Step 5. Look for a reasonably priced tapas bar if you want to go for a drink
Do some research online to compare prices and special offers at various bars in the area. In the south of Spain, in smaller cities and even in Madrid, you can find numerous places offering free tapas with the purchase of a drink.
Calculate roughly 1.2-1.6 euros for a bottle of beer and 1-4 euros for a cheap Spanish wine
Part 4 of 4: Going Cheap Excursions
Step 1. Go to a museum to learn more about Spanish culture and history
Tickets generally cost between 2 and 14 euros. Most museums also have free entry times for all visitors. Check the websites to find out more.
For example, the Prado Museum in Madrid allows free entry from 6 to 8 in the evening from Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday from 5 to 7 in the evening
Step 2. Buy a city pass to visit different places
If you are going to a big city and plan to make several visits, the city pass is great for saving. Most passes include access to museums, attractions and activities. Passes for larger cities (such as Madrid and Barcelona) can be purchased on the websites of private agencies that offer this service.
- If you're traveling with your family or a large group, you might even get a discount.
- The cards offer various activities and benefits, including sporting events, walking tours and discounts on meals.
Step 3. Find out about traditional festivals to discover the folklore of a city
If you visit a big city in the summer, in many cases you will have the opportunity to attend parties and festivals. These are free events that allow you to live a unique experience. Do a Google search, or ask the hotel reception, the owner of your accommodation or a guide to tell you about the upcoming events to find out more.
- For example, you could visit Barcelona in late September to attend the Festes de la Mercé, when the city is invaded by free concerts, dances, fireworks, acrobatics and atmospheric parades.
- Carnival is celebrated all over the Iberian Peninsula, but the biggest parties are held in Tenerife and Cadiz. These cities dedicate the entire month of February to sparkling parades, competitions and celebrations in honor of the Carnival.
Step 4. Walk around the city to discover its architectural beauties at no cost
Spanish cities are full of splendid cathedrals and impressive palaces, especially Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Salamanca and Cordoba. Although you need to buy a ticket (at a moderate price) to visit them inside, the outside is just as interesting to see and completely free!
- As you wander around Barcelona, you can discover the impressive works of Antoni Gaudí, such as Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and the Sagrada Família.
- In Granada you can visit the Alhambra, a sophisticated complex of Moorish style palaces.
