Just got back from Madrid, and seeing many people on the forum asking how much money to prepare for a Madrid trip, I’m organizing my actual expenses to share with everyone. I spent 5 days and 4 nights there, which is a fairly standard duration for visiting Madrid, and I hope this helps those planning to go.
Accommodation Costs
For accommodation, I chose a three-star hotel near Puerta del Sol in the city center, costing approximately 70-90 euros per night. If your budget is tight, you can opt for hostels where beds cost 20-30 euros per night. For better quality stays, four-star hotels range around 120-150 euros. Personally, I think staying near Sol or Gran Vía is most convenient, as you don’t need to transfer anywhere. I recommend booking in advance on Booking, as it’s usually cheaper than walk-in rates.
Transportation Expenses
From the airport to the city center, I took the metro, which costs 5 euros one-way plus a luggage supplement. For city transportation, I suggest buying a 10-trip ticket for 12.2 euros, which covers 10 metro or bus rides—much more economical than single tickets. Madrid’s public transport is very well-developed, and you can basically reach all attractions by metro. If you want to visit surrounding cities like Toledo or Segovia, round-trip train tickets cost approximately 20-30 euros.
Dining Budget
| Meal Type | Price Range | Notes |
|---|
| Breakfast | 3-6€ | Coffee with bread |
| Lunch Set Menu | 10-15€ | Menú del día |
| Dinner | 15-25€ | Full meal with drinks |
| Tapas | 2-5€/portion | With beer or wine |
Dining in Madrid isn’t actually expensive. Many restaurants offer lunch set menus for 10-15 euros, including starter, main course, dessert, and drinks. I particularly enjoyed eating tapas in the La Latina district, where the atmosphere is fantastic. Definitely avoid restaurants near Puerta del Sol or Plaza Mayor—they’re tourist traps, charging double the price with mediocre food.
Attraction Tickets
Prado Museum tickets cost 15 euros, Reina Sofía Art Center 10 euros, and the Royal Palace 13 euros. If you’re a student, remember to bring your student ID as many places offer discounts. Actually, Madrid has quite a few free attractions, such as Retiro Park, Temple of Debod, and Plaza Mayor, which don’t require tickets. I spent approximately 50 euros on tickets this trip. I originally wanted to visit Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, but couldn’t bring myself to pay the 30 euro admission fee.
Overall Budget
All things considered, my 5-day, 4-night Madrid trip cost approximately 600-700 euros total, including accommodation, transportation, meals, tickets, and some souvenirs. If you’re on a limited budget, you can still have a great time for 400-500 euros by economizing on accommodation and dining. If you want to splurge, it’s easy to spend 1000 euros or more.
One final reminder: Madrid has quite a few pickpockets, especially in the metro and near attractions, so keep a close eye on your belongings. Also, Spaniards eat quite late—lunch is usually after 2 PM, and dinner doesn’t start until 9 or 10 PM, so be mentally prepared for this.
