If you’re planning to visit Madrid, the capital and largest city of Spain, you might be wondering what is the minimum cost for a touristic stay in this vibrant and cultural destination. Madrid is one of the most popular cities in Europe, attracting millions of visitors every year who want to enjoy its rich history, art, cuisine, nightlife and more. But how much does it cost to visit Madrid? And how can you save money while still having a great time?
In this blog post, we’ll break down the average daily costs for a touristic stay in Madrid, based on the expenses of other travelers and our own experience. We’ll also give you some tips and tricks on how to find the best deals on accommodation, food, transportation, attractions and more. Whether you’re traveling on a tight budget or looking for some splurge options, we’ll help you plan your trip to Madrid without breaking the bank.
The average daily cost for a touristic stay in Madrid is around $150 (€136) per person. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation and one paid attraction. Of course, this is just an estimate and your actual expenses will depend on your travel style, preferences and season. You can spend more or less depending on what you choose to do and where you choose to stay.
Here’s a breakdown of the main categories of expenses for a touristic stay in Madrid:
The biggest expense for most travelers is accommodation. Madrid has a wide range of options for every budget and taste, from hostels and guesthouses to hotels and apartments. The average price for a double room in a city-center hotel is around $170 (€154) per night. However, you can find cheaper or more expensive options depending on the location, quality and amenities. For example, you can find a hostel bed for as low as $20 (€18) per night or a luxury hotel for over $300 (€272) per night . If you want to save money on accommodation, you can look for deals online, book in advance, stay outside the city center or use alternative platforms like Airbnb or Couchsurfing.
| Type | Go! | |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel – Double Room | View | |
| Hotel – Single Room | View | |
| Apartment | View | |
| Guesthouse- Double Room | View | |
| Guesthouse- Single Room | View | |
| Dorm | View |
Madrid is a foodie paradise, offering a variety of dishes and cuisines to suit every palate and budget. You can find everything from traditional tapas and paella to international fare like sushi and burgers. The average cost for food in Madrid is around $37 (€34) per person per day . This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and a treat (dessert, beer or wine). However, you can spend more or less depending on where and what you eat. For example, you can have a cheap breakfast for $2 (€2) at a bakery or cafe, a lunch menu for $7 (€6) at a local restaurant or a street food snack for $5 (€4). For dinner, you can splurge on a fancy meal for $15 (€14) or more at a high-end restaurant or cook your own food at your accommodation if you have access to a kitchen. For drinks, you can expect to pay around $2 (€2) for a pint of beer or $3 (€3) for a glass of wine at a bar or pub.
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | |
| Lunch | |
| Street food snack | |
| Dinner | |
| Treat | |
| Total |
Madrid has an excellent public transportation system that covers the whole city and its surroundings. You can use the metro, buses, trains or taxis to get around easily and quickly. The average cost for local transportation in Madrid is around $21 (€19) per person per day . This includes one single metro ticket ($1.60/€1.50) and one 10-journey ticket for the metro and urban buses ($13.40/€12.20) . However, you can spend more or less depending on how far and how often you travel. For example, you can save money by walking or biking to nearby attractions or using the tourist bus that stops at the main sights. Alternatively, you can splurge on a taxi ride from the airport to the city center for $32.90/€30 or rent a car if you want more flexibility.
| Type | Go! | |
|---|---|---|
| Car Rent | Economybookings | GetRentacar | QEEQ | Localrent | Discovercars |
| Taxi | Gettransfer | |
| 10-journey ticket for the metro and urban buses |
||
| 1 single metro ticket | ||
| Total | ||
Madrid has plenty of attractions and activities to keep you entertained and amazed during your stay. You can visit world-class museums like the Prado ($16/€15) or the Thyssen-Bornemisza ($14/€13), admire stunning architecture like the Royal Palace ($13/€12) or the Basilica de San Francisco el Grande ($5/€5), explore charming neighborhoods like La Latina or Malasaña, or enjoy the nightlife at one of the many bars, clubs and theaters. The average cost for attractions in Madrid is around $15 (€14) per person per day. This includes one paid attraction and any free sights. However, you can spend more or less depending on what you choose to do and when you visit. For example, you can save money by visiting some museums for free on certain days or hours, joining a free walking tour (but you should tip the guides) or taking advantage of the many free events and festivals that take place throughout the year. Alternatively, you can splurge on a paid tour ($15-$50/€14-€45) , a bike tour ($24-$38/€22-€35) or a day trip to nearby destinations like Toledo, Segovia or El Escorial.
| Type | Name | Go! | |
|---|---|---|---|
| World-class museum | the Prado | Visit with Tiqets | |
| World-class museum | the Thyssen-Bornemisza | Visit with Tiqets | |
| Stunning architecture | the Royal Palace | Visit with Tiqets | |
| Stunning architecture | Self Guided Audio Tour A.o. Basilica de San Francisco el Grande |
View | |
| Show | Flamenco show | View | |
| Tour | City Highlights Bike tour | View | |
| Tour | Day trip to nearby destinations like Toledo, Segovia or El Escorial | View |
As you can see, the minimum cost for a touristic stay in Madrid can vary depending on your choices and preferences. You can have a great time in Madrid without spending a fortune, but you can also treat yourself to some extra comforts and experiences if you have the budget. The most important thing is to plan ahead, do your research and compare prices to find the best deals and options for your trip.
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We hope this blog post has given you some useful information and tips on how to estimate the minimum cost for a touristic stay in Madrid. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. And if you’re ready to book your trip to Madrid, don’t forget to check out our website for the best deals on flights, hotels, car rentals and more. Happy travels!
