From cheap eats to cheap hotels, this article is chock full of great tips for cheap travel in Spain.
Spain is one of Western Europe's most affordable countries for budget travelers. With so many things to see and do in Spain, you'll want your money to stretch as long as possible. The good news is: with just a few things in mind, you'll be off and running for a cheap vacation in Spain.
Cheap food in Spain
Spain is great for cheap eats. Appetizers or Tapas as they are called in Spain, are often eaten as a meal with wine. Most bars offer you one of these treats (ranging from bread to squid) with the purchase of your beer or wine. If you are looking for a bit more to eat, you can order a whole or half plate of Tapas for a fraction of the cost of a full meal.
One of the cheapest and richest breakfast items you'll find in Spain is churros with hot chocolate. Almost every breakfast place has them and you're in for a real treat too! Hot chocolate in Spain is not the watery stuff you are probably accustomed to drinking, instead it is more like a hot chocolate pudding - sure to satisfy any chocolate lover's craving.
Cheap hotels in Spain
Unlike the rest of Europe, Spain is not overflowing with cheap youth hostels where you can rest your head. However, they do offer an abundance of budget accommodations. After just a few nights in Spain, you'll begin to notice that the cheaper accommodations go by the name of HostelerÃa or Alberque. However, don't be discouraged if you can't find accommodations by that name. There are plenty of cheap hotels that go by the name Hotel too!
Cheap attractions
Almost every city in Spain has a grand cathedral of some historical and architectural interest. Most are free to enter, though some of the larger ones do charge a small fee for entrance though they may include a small museum chock full of historical facts.
Cheap transportation
There is hardly a place you can't get to in Spain by foot, bus, train or metro. If you don't have a train pass, you might want to try the long distance hauls by bus. The buses in Spain are very clean, efficient and most importantly: cheap. You can often get somewhere far away quicker and cheaper by bus than you can by train so check the schedules before you hop on that expensive train.
Although hitchhiking is possible in Spain, it's not as easy as in other European countries so be prepared for long waits in between rides if you insist on hitchhiking.
In Madrid, invest in a 10-ride pass for the metro. It works on the busses and the metro and it costs a fraction of paying for 10 single passes. The metro is extremely efficient, especially if you are staying in the heart of the city. The only drawback to the metro is that you miss a lot of the views of the city while you are underground.
For the more adventurous traveler in Madrid, try taking the C bus, or Circular bus around Madrid for some of the best (and cheapest) sites the city has to offer. The best part is, that if you stay on the bus long enough, it will circle around to where you got on so you can't get lost!
Despite the great transportation system in Spain, perhaps the best way to get around is on foot. Not only will you be saving money, but you'll also be getting exercise and soaking in the culture too!
