Camino on a Budget: How Much It Really Costs per Day

Walking the Camino does not have to be expensive; with a few smart choices, most pilgrims can keep daily costs surprisingly low while still being comfortable. This post breaks down real‑world Camino expenses and shows exactly where you can save and where it is worth spending a little more.

There are links at the bottom for my Camino budget planning guide and spreadsheet to get you started.

What does a Camino day really cost?

Most pilgrims on popular routes like the Francés or Portugués spend somewhere between a “shoestring” and “comfortable” budget each day.

Shoestring: 25–35 € per day – mostly municipal/parochial albergues, supermarket food, rare restaurant meals.
Mid‑range: 35–50 € per day – mix of municipal and private albergues, pilgrim menus, a few café treats.
Comfort: 50–70 €+ per day – more private rooms, regular restaurant meals, frequent café stops and extras.

Your pre‑trip costs (flights, insurance, gear) sit on top of this, but the day‑to‑day Camino itself can be very affordable compared to many other long trips in Europe.

Food in Spain is pretty amazing and not expensive on Camino. Padron peppers are generally 2-4 EUROS for a plate.

Accommodation: where you sleep, what you spend

Accommodation is usually the biggest daily expense, but it is also the easiest to control.

Typical price ranges per person:

Municipal / public albergues: 8–12 € (some donation‑based “donativo” hostels ask a reasonable contribution).
Parochial / donativo albergues: Donation or 6–12 €; you contribute what you can, often including a simple meal or shared kitchen access.
Private albergues: 12–18 € for a bunk, often with better facilities or smaller dorms.
Guesthouses / pensions / small hotels: 25–45 €+ per person for a private room, depending on location and season.

If you want to keep your budget low but still have the occasional private night, aim for mostly municipal/albergue stays with one private room every week or so as a treat.

Basic to luxury – you can find options for every budget.

Food and drink: eating well on a budget

You can eat very cheaply on the Camino without living on instant noodles. I loved the little green Padron peppers grilled and served with salt and oil for a few euros at the end of each day.

Typical food costs per day:

Breakfast: 3–5 € for coffee and pastry or toast in a bar.
Second breakfast / café stop: 2–4 € for another coffee, juice, or snack.
Menu del día or pilgrim menu: 10–15 € for a starter, main, dessert, bread and often wine or water.
Self‑catered meals: 5–10 € per day if you buy groceries and cook in albergue kitchens.

Budget tips:

Share supermarket dinners with other pilgrims to split costs and avoid waste.
Carry basic snacks like nuts, fruit, and bread instead of relying solely on bar food.
Refill water from fountains and bars rather than buying multiple plastic bottles a day.

Café treats like ice creams, extra coffees, and beers can add up, so decide in advance how often you are happy to say yes and when you want to save.

Pilgrim meals are a mainstay of Camino. You will get basic but tasty food.

Transport, luggage services, and other extras

Transport and optional services can quietly increase your overall budget if you use them often.

Common extras:

Baggage transfer: 5–8 € per stage to send your pack ahead between stops.
Local buses or taxis: useful for skipping a stage if injured or short on time; prices vary by distance but plan a small buffer.
Laundry: 3–6 € for washing machines and dryers, or free if you hand‑wash in sinks using your own soap.
Sightseeing and entrance fees: cathedrals, museums, and guided visits can add a few euros every now and then.

Using pack transfer every day can almost double your “shoestring” daily spend, so many budget pilgrims reserve it for when they are injured or exhausted rather than as a default.

I have used the pack transfer service to send a majority of my gear ahead to my next Albergue during periods when I’ve had leg or foot issues, for around €6 a day it was totally worth it.

I made a budget guide – you can get it for download. All my guides are by donation and Pay what your want (PWYW), you can also share them with others.
Download: Budget guide and Spreadsheet

How to walk the Camino on a shoestring

If you are aiming for roughly 25–35 € per day, a few habits make a big difference.

Sleep mainly in municipal or parochial albergues.
Cook most evening meals or share simple supermarket dinners.
Limit café stops to one or two a day and choose tap water over paid drinks when possible.
Avoid frequent taxis; only use buses or transport when truly necessary.

This style of Camino still allows small treats, but you will be watching your spending consciously and prioritising the walk itself over extras.

A realistic mid‑range daily budget

Many first‑time pilgrims find a mid‑range budget around 40–50 € per day hits the sweet spot between comfort and cost.

On this kind of budget you can:

Mix municipal and private albergues, or share occasional guesthouse rooms.
Enjoy a pilgrim menu or restaurant meal most days.
Have a few café stops and ice creams without stressing over every euro.
Use luggage transfer or taxis occasionally if you are injured or overtired.

Over a 30‑day walk, that roughly translates to 1,200–1,500 € for on‑the‑ground expenses, excluding flights and pre‑trip gear.

Pre‑trip costs: the often‑forgotten budget chunk

Do not forget the costs that appear before you ever see a yellow arrow.

Flights and long‑distance trains/buses to and from Spain or Portugal.
Travel insurance that covers medical care and trip disruption.
Gear purchases, especially if you need a new backpack, shoes, or clothing.

Buying second‑hand or borrowing gear, where safe and practical, can significantly reduce this part of the budget, and spreading purchases over several months helps cash flow.

Simple Camino budget examples

These rough examples assume 30 days on the Camino; adjust them to your own route and pace.

Shoestring (mostly albergues, lots of self‑catering):
25–30 € x 30 days = 750–900 € total on‑trip spending.
Mid‑range (mix of albergues, regular pilgrim menus, some private rooms):
40–50 € x 30 days = 1,200–1,500 €.
Comfort (more private rooms, frequent restaurant meals, more taxis/transfers):
60–70 € x 30 days = 1,800–2,100 €+.

Once you add flights, insurance, and any new gear, you will have a realistic total Camino budget to work toward rather than a vague guess.

I made a guide for budgeting planning. All my guides are by donation and Pay what your want (PWYW), you can also share them with others.
Download: Budget guide and Spreadsheet

Final tips for keeping your Camino affordable

A few mindset shifts can keep your spending low without feeling deprived.

Treat albergues and simple menus as part of the Camino experience, not a downgrade from “real” travel.
Decide in advance which indulgences matter most to you (for example, a weekly private room or a daily café stop) and budget around those.
Track your spending every few days so you can make small adjustments rather than being surprised at the end.

With a clear daily budget range and a flexible attitude, the Camino becomes one of the most cost‑effective ways to see Spain or Portugal, meet people from around the world, and give yourself a genuinely life‑changing journey.

I made a budget guide and spreadsheet you can download. I’ve standardised it in Euros but is has considerations and calculations for North America, Australia, NZ, and the UK and Ireland. Hope it helps!

All my guides are by donation and Pay what your want (PWYW), you can also share them with others.
Download: Budget guide and Spreadsheet

The Prepared Pilgrim