A common question we get asked is, “How much will you spend each day on the Camino?”. Unfortunately, the answer is, “It depends”.
Would you like to stay in albergues, private rooms or hotels? Do you prefer to eat at restaurants or shop at the local supermarket? Do you plan to carry your pack or have it transported? All of these factors will determine how much you spend on the Camino.
We spent roughly 35 – 50 euros per day, on average. You can spend less or more, it’s up to you. And, although things are getting more expensive on the Camino, we think that’s a fair budget to work with.
Budget Breakdown
The costs incurred along the Way are wide-ranging.
Most pilgrims spend their nights in albergues. Beds at donativos are by donation. Municipals cost around 6-8 euros. And privates are around 15 – 17 euros.
Others prefer to have their own space. Private rooms in albergues cost around 50 – 70 euros. Hotels can cost 85-100 euros. And places like the Paradores can cost hundreds of euros per night.
Shopping at the supermarket and cooking your own meals will save a lot of money. But many, like us, enjoy visiting a restaurant for a pilgrim’s menu.
So, you can see why we say, “It depends”!
Most people have a daily budget in mind. And from our experience, these are the general costs you can expect.
| Municipal Albergue | € 6-8 |
| Private room | € 50-70 |
| Bag Transport | € 5-7 (per stage) |
| Menú del día | € 10 – 18 |
| Café con leche | € 1.50 – 2.50 |
| A glass of beer or wine | € 2.50 – 4 |
| 1 tapa or bocadillo | € 1.50 – 3 |
| Laundry service | € 9 (for wash and dry) |
| Misc | € 20 |
Aside from the basics, like food, shelter and wine, we also leave room in our budget for a few luxuries. Creature comforts are sometimes needed on the Camino, especially if you’re walking one of the longer routes.
For example, Cat doesn’t like hand-washing her clothes on the Camino. She budgets 10 euros for laundry service every four or five days. She also likes her own space. So, occasionally, she splurges on a private room.
And I never knew about bag transfer service until I got blisters and couldn’t walk with a heavy pack. Now, I build this into my daily budget. I love just walking with my day pack. It’s so much easier on my body! And leaving my backpack at the albergue with delivery instructions is so convenient.
Banking
Spain, Portugal, France and the rest of Europe operate on the Euro (€). As we all know, conversion rates fluctuate constantly. But in 2025, these are the general exchange rates you can expect:
Canadian Dollar: 1.50
US Dollar: 1.05
British Pound: .83
Australian Dollar: 1.66
Credit and debit cards are now ubiquitous along the Camino (much different than when we first walked). But some albergues, small shops and bars still only accept cash. So, it’s best to walk with euros at all times. However, in larger cities, credit cards are accepted pretty much everywhere. Foreign money will not be accepted at places along the Camino. But you can find currency exchanges at airports and in the major cities.
ATMs are widespread and they accept foreign bank cards. Check with your home bank to understand the fees and maximums associated with using your card abroad.
There are plenty of legitimate banks in Spain, and it’s safe to withdraw from their ATMs.
Some of the more common ones you’ll find in Spain are Sabadell, Santander, Caixabank and BBVA. In France and Portugal, BNP Paribas and Caixa Geral de Depósitos are well-known banks.
They vary in what they will charge to withdraw cash as a foreigner. You can shop around to find the best rate. On Cat’s most recent Camino in 2024, she was not charged an additional fee at the Unicaja ATMs. She only paid the $5 fee from her home back in Canada.
TOP ATM TIP: Whenever possible, use ATMs during banking hours just in case your card gets eaten by a finicky machine. Cat’s card went adios at an ATM in Zaragoza! The staff helped her retrieve it. Always withdraw cash a few days before you run out. Some small towns may not have a bank machine. Withdraw a few hundred euros at a time to minimize fees. And store your cash in a money belt and wear it underneath your clothing to keep it safe.
Want to save some euros on your walk? Check out our article on 9 Ways to Save Money on the Camino.