I’ve been studying in Spain for almost a year now, and apart from the usual grind of deadlines, what I look forward to most are the weekends and holidays! I don’t have a lot of euros in my pocket, but I have an unstoppable desire to explore Spain. After learning the hard way and mastering the art of finding great deals, today I’m sharing my student-version budget travel guide to Spain—personally tested and proven effective!
Transportation: Your Secret Weapon for Budget Travel
In Spain, transportation can definitely be a major travel expense. But as young people under 25, we have exclusive perks! I highly recommend getting a Renfe Youth Card, which gives you 20-30% off train tickets—a fantastic deal. If you’re not in a hurry, long-distance buses like ALSA or Flixbus are your best bet. Sometimes you can find tickets for just a few euros, which is practically a giveaway!
| Method of Travel | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|
| Renfe Train | Fast, comfortable, high punctuality | More expensive | Long-distance city travel, when you’re short on time |
| ALSA/Flixbus Bus | Extremely cheap, wide route coverage | Time-consuming, average comfort | Limited budget, not in a rush |
| Blablacar Carpooling | Flexible pricing, can be door-to-door | Safety is your own judgment, flexible timing | Short distances, or for a local experience |
Don’t just show up at the station and buy a full-price ticket. Book in advance on the app or official website, and the prices will be much better!
Accommodation: Hostels Are Your Home Away From Home
For students on a student travel in Spain, hotels are too luxurious, and Airbnbs can feel a bit lonely or unsafe. My top choice is always a youth hostel. Hostels in Spain are very well-developed, clean, safe, and affordable, with a dorm bed typically costing between €15 and €30. More importantly, they are the perfect place to meet friends from all over the world! You can chat in the common areas at night, share your plans for the next day, and maybe even find like-minded travel buddies. There are plenty of options on Hostelworld and Booking.com; just make sure to read the reviews before booking, especially if you are visiting Spanish university towns.
Attractions: Getting Freebies is the Pro-Level Move
Who says sightseeing has to cost money? Many of Spain’s top museums and palaces have free admission hours! For example, the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofía Art Center in Madrid are free to enter at certain times, so be sure to check their official websites in advance. Besides museums, every city’s old town (casco antiguo), main square (plaza mayor), and various parks are completely free. Just wandering through the streets, soaking up the sun and admiring the architecture, is delightful enough.
The photo above was taken at the Plaza de España in Seville. It’s completely free and super photogenic
!
Food: The Right Way to Do Tapas and Bocadillos
When it comes to food, you also need to be smart with your budget. Avoid tourist traps and head to the small bars (tascas)
that locals love. In many cities, especially in the Andalusia region, ordering a beer or a drink will get you a free Tapa. Hop between a few bars, and after a couple of drinks, you’ve got dinner sorted
! For lunch, the Bocadillo is the king of value for money. A huge ham and cheese bocadillo costs only three or four euros and will keep you full all afternoon. Eating this way, it’s totally possible to keep your daily food expenses under €15.
As a student in Spain, by taking advantage of our status and the information available to us, we can absolutely enjoy high-quality travel on a low budget. These are just a few of my personal tips to get the ball rolling, and I welcome everyone to share their own money-saving secrets in the comments below! Hope you all have a fantastic time in Spain!
