Getting around in Spain for Cheap

Spain is a beautiful country full of scenic landscapes, history, tourist attractions and culture. With so much to do and see, it can be easy to go over your budget if you are not careful. Here are 3 quick and easy tips to help you save money and get the most out of your travels! These tips will cover:

1. Transportation – (bla bla car)
2. Accommodations – (hostels) &
3. Sight Seeing – (free tours)

When you are in a big city like Madrid or Barcelona, you can get around pretty well by using the metro subway or by taking the bus. In smaller cities where they do not have subways or the subway network is not as extensive, the bus can also be a good option. Personally, if my destination is within 30 minutes by foot, I go ahead and walk it. The advantage of walking is that you get a good cardio workout and you also get to see and experience more of the city in closer detail! Now if you are going from one city to another, let us say Madrid to Sevilla for example, you can take the train (Ave/Renfe), book a flight (which in some cases can be the cheapest and fastest option), take the bus (cheap but long), or you can simply use the ride-sharing app bla bla car. Bla bla car is an app that lets drivers going in the same direction as you offer space in their cars for a small cost. In most cases you will end up paying less than you would have paid for the bus and you will get to your destination sooner and more comfortably. Another added advantage is that you get to meet new people, gain valuable information on the destination you are headed to and/or ideas for future destinations!

This may come as a no-brainer, but if you are looking for the cheapest accommodations, hostels are the way to go. In Spain, hostels are pretty affordable and will cost you about 12-18 euros on average. Having spent over a month in Spain, the best hostel I stayed in was Oasis Backpacker’s Hostels. They are clean, spacious and have friendly staff. With several locations throughout Spain, they provide high speed WiFi, hot showers and some even offer free breakfast (complete review coming soon). If hostels are not available, your next bet is to book a hotel. When booking hotels, please keep in mind that in order to get the best deals, you will have to plan ahead or you may end up paying triple the standard price!

When going sight seeing, it does not get any cheaper than free! And that is exactly what free walking tours offer. Free walking tours are basically a group of eager participants who meet at a central location like a plaza or park and are led by tour guide throughout the city. The tour guide guides the group to pre-selected points of interest and provides historical and cultural tidbits on each location. The tour guides are often multilingual and quite personable. When the tour is complete, the participants tip the tour guide as they deem appropriate. I recommend joining a free walking tour, especially on the first day because it gives you a general layout of the city and points of interest that you can visit later at your own pace. You also get to mingle with other tourists/travelers and the tour guide can answer pertinent questions you may have about the city and provide recommendations for activities such as dining, shopping and going out.

Other great options to consider for traveling cheap include AirBnb, Couch Surfing, and house sitting. Just keep in mind that these types of bookings may take a little bit longer to secure as the host needs to review and accept your offer. However, if reserved in time, these types of accommodation can save you a significant amount of money.
Spain is one of the more affordable countries in Europe and a top destination for travelers worldwide. With a bit of preparation and planning you can enjoy it’s rich culture, beauty and history while staying within your budget!

Know any other travel hacks? Leave a comment below!