Daily Budget for Spain - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Gumby · 03-17-2005, 06:26 PM

Hi guys,

So this morning I started reading the latest edition of the Lonely Planet Spain guide and felt my first feelings of panic that I both haven't allowed enough money per day (just over 60 euro per day) and haven't allowed enough time to cover the area I want to cover.

Could somebody either reassure that I am on the right track. Further, if I have spread my time too thinly, which city (or cities) would you recommend I drop from the itinerary.

I will be in Spain for 18 days - I fly in to Malaga and leave via Bilbao. I had planned to visit Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Toledo, Madrod, Salamanca, Burgos and Bilbao. I'm not a big fan of huge cities and chosen these cities mainly for their historic significance and the architecture.

I didn't think it was worthwhile buying a national rail pass so train tickets will need to be included in my budget.

Somebody? Anybody?

Oh, I will be in Spain in June. I leave for my trip in about 6 weeks. I'm not worried about the first stage of my trip - I guess its because I will have a friend with me for that part however I'll be travelling through Spain alone.

Cheers.

**U2fan** · 03-17-2005, 08:20 PM

Hey, I think you'll be fine!

I was in Spain and Portugal last summer for 2 months. I went to all the places you've mentioned except Cordoba and Burgos. You're right; definitely do NOT buy any type of train pass for just Spain. I bought this combination Spain/Portugal thing and ended up losing a TON of money. Pay for each individually and you'll be better off. Also many times the train was full so I ended up having to take the bus anyway.

You will be fine on 60 euro a day. The most expensive hostel I stayed in was 25 euro a night and that was Barcelona. You should be able to do 15-20 euro for hostels, and 40 euro should be more than enough to get you through the rest of the day. Just be careful with the alcohol because that is what REALLY adds up in a hurry.

Gumby · 03-20-2005, 06:02 PM

Thanks for that.

At this stage I'm thinking I'll keep the alcohol to a minimum (I really can't handle my grog) but I know that will change as soon as I get on the road.

How much time did you spend in Seville and Madrid? I find really large cities quite intimidating so I want to spend as little time in them as possible but I don't want to miss any major sites.

Did you have a favourite town in Spain?

Gumby · 03-20-2005, 06:13 PM

Also, can people tell me how they usually decide on a hostel? A friend of mine has put me on to hostelworld - for those of you who have actually travelled and used this website, are the ratings usually on the ball?

Cheers.

**U2fan** · 03-21-2005, 08:57 AM

I actually was in Seville 3 different times.....once before going back into Portugal for I think 2-3 nights, again coming back into Spain when I decided while in Portugal that I wanted to go to Morocco, then coming back from Morocco going back into Portugal for another 2 nights. I liked Seville a lot but you could see it in 2 days, 3 max. You definitely want to go to the Alcazar, and see the bull ring, and the Cathedral, but those are the main things.

Madrid I think I spent 4 or 5 days...there is obviously a lot more to see, especially if you're into museums....you shouldn't miss the Prado either way, and the Reina Sofia is also very good. Yes it's a big city, but it doesn't feel that big, at least it didn't to me.

I usually went on price for deciding a hostel. I also most of the time didn't book ahead; I'd just show up in the next place and find somewhere to stay. It wasn't hard and you're not going to end up on the street, I promise.

dttraveler · 03-21-2005, 09:58 AM

take a deep breath and relax. your going to be fine you will see once you get out there. its hard to shake those feelings at first but money is overrated and you can usually find ways around it if you really need to, but 60 euros a day is more than enough especially if you dont plan on staying in the big cities for long. once you get out on the road just ask people what hostels they liked. you'll see it will be alright. visit granada and almeria.