How much does it cost to visit Spain?

The cost of a direct round-trip flight from New York (JFK) to Madrid (MAD) with a major airline like Delta or American Airlines currently costs around $700 in Economy Class. This price typically includes one checked bag up to 50 pounds (23 kg) and one carry-on bag. In general, flight prices for routes between the U.S. and Spain are highest during the peak season between July and August. However, to secure good deals, it is advisable to book at least three weeks before departure.

The costs for overnight stays in Spain start at around $60 per traveler in a simple 2* hotel. However, more comfortable 3* hotels are available from as little as $80 per night. The luxury of a 4* or 5* hotel, on the other hand, only awaits you from $120 per guest.

While you will find various hotels of different categories in Spain that promise a pleasant and unforgettable vacation, family guest houses, independent vacation apartments or campsites are a cheap alternative.

In general, accommodation in the north of Spain, around Bilbao and Santander, and on the Balearic Islands is more expensive than in the rest of the country.

The entrance fees for many popular attractions such as the Alhambra fortress in Granada, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao or Park Güell in Barcelona are between $11 and $18 per adult visitor.

However, there are also various free offers in Spain. How about visiting the historic old town in Córdoba, Salamanca or Seville, for example? Or relax on one of the countless beaches on the Spanish mainland, the Balearic Islands or the Canary Islands.

Alternatively, you can choose from countless guided tours. Popular group activities such as a visit to one of the fantastic flamenco shows in Madrid cost around $39 per person. For dolphin watching on Fuerteventura, on the other hand, you should budget at least $87 per person. And a boat tour on Ibiza (all-inclusive) will also add $175 per traveler to your travel budget.

The cost of a rental car in Spain starts at around $25 per day for a small car. Added to this is the cost of around $2 per liter of petrol.

Alternatively, Spain boasts Europe’s longest high-speed rail network, allowing travelers to comfortably journey across the country. A ticket for the nearly 250-mile route from Madrid to Valencia costs around $27.50. However, you can often travel more cheaply with various long-distance buses.

Especially in the major Spanish cities, it is worth using public transport. For a ticket price of around $1.75 per person, you can easily explore the lively cities by bus or train . And depending on the region, tickets for the local subway also only cost between $1.75 and $3. In contrast, cab fares in Spain are around $1.20 - $2.50 per kilometer.

Prices for food in Spain start at around $9 for a simple meal in a fast food restaurant. In contrast, a typical paella or a dish of fresh seafood in a mid-range restaurant costs between $22 and $33.

If you want something typically Spanish, you have to try the countless tapas. Delicacies such as croquetas with ham, pimientos de padrón (peppers), chorizo or gambas al ajillo (prawns marinated in garlic) cost between $5.50 and $13.20. In Spain, you can get a whole liter of sangria for just $13.

Although food prices in Spain have also risen in recent years, prices in local supermarkets are significantly lower than in United States. Nevertheless, there are regional differences. Food in the Spanish cities of Barcelona, Madrid and Bilbao, as well as on the Balearic Islands, is more expensive than in the rest of the country.