How to Travel Spain on a Budget Wisely
Traveling to Spain can be a costly experience when airfare, transportation and accommodations are factored in. Although the plane ticket will put you back a few hundred dollars, the rest of your trip to Spain does not have to be bank-breaking if you plan correctly. There are many ways to enjoy any city in Spain while staying on a budget.
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Investigate your expenses. Figure out how much money you will need (per person if you are traveling with your family or a group) for food, transportation and attractions. On average plan to spend 10 Euros per meal (about $13). A common way to get around major cities like Barcelona and Madrid is the Metro, and ticket prices are listed online. Tickets can be purchased by day, week or month so figure out what is the best deal for your travel.
Look up the cost of attractions you want to visit such as Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. The official website lists entrance fees as do popular websites such as Lonely Planet and Frommer's.
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Book your airfare during Spain's off-season. Although the weather is cooler, it's still tolerable. Attractions may not be open extended hours, but there are fewer tourists in Spain's cities and towns from January through May as well as during September and October. Booking your ticket during off-season can save you hundreds of dollars round-trip.
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Skip the luxuries of four- and five-star hotels. Younger travelers can book rooms at the hostels across Spain. Popular hostels in Spain include Indigo Hostel, Barcelona Mar Hostel and Cat's Hostel. These are booked by the room or bed and are set up like dorm rooms. There are few perks to staying at hostels, but these establishments are often the cheapest accommodations.
If you are looking for hotel rooms, do extensive research. Sure booking a room at Grand Hotel Central in Barcelona would be luxurious with some of the nicest rooms in the city, but it is more economical to choose a two- or three-star hotel with fewer amenities such as Amrey Sant Pau. The savings will provide more money to enjoy on vacation.
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Purchase fewer souvenirs. Of course you want a memento of your journey to Spain and gifts to give to your friends and family, but keep in mind you are on a budget. That snow globe of Sagrada Familia may look cool and seem like an important keepsake, but will it end up in your yard sale next summer? Pick up less-expensive items for family and friends such as candies from a local shop or something useful like a magnet of your favorite attraction.
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Pack a picnic lunch. Even if you budget for every meal, you can save money by visiting a deli or grocery store to purchase picnic items. Shopping in these stores can be a cultural experience itself because the products can be much different. For example, you may be used to picking up your milk and eggs from a dairy cooler, but in Spain they are kept on a shelf--warm. Spain has a variety of parks to enjoy your picnic with some of the best views of the city. Grab your lunch and take seat on a bench in Barcelona's Parc Güel or Parc de La Crueta del Coll.
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Take advantage of free attractions. Throughout Spain there are a variety of free activities that are just as significant as those that cost many Euros to see. For example, in Madrid you can visit the famous Estacion de Atocha or Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas for free. These attractions both had important roles in the city's history. Walk through La Rambla in Barcelona and visit the famous markets. Pay attention to the attraction's hours. If you visit the Picasso Museum in Barcelona on the first Sunday of the month, it is free. This is common among many attractions across the country.
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