How Much Does the Camino de Santiago Cost? A Complete Budget Guide
One of the most common questions for first-time pilgrims is:
“How much does it cost to walk the Camino?”
The good news is that the Camino de Santiago can be done on almost any budget.
Whether you prefer a simple, traditional pilgrimage or a more comfortable journey
with private rooms and restaurant meals, this guide will help you estimate your total costs.
Below you’ll find realistic price ranges for accommodation, food, transport, gear, and daily expenses,
based on current pilgrim feedback from Spain and Portugal.
All amounts are in euros (€), as this is the currency you’ll use on most Camino routes.
1. Typical daily budget
Most pilgrims spend between €30 and €60 per day, depending on comfort level.
- Low-budget: €25–€35/day (public albergues + simple meals)
- Mid-range: €40–€55/day (private albergues or budget hotels + mixed eating)
- Comfort: €60–€90/day (private rooms + restaurants + extras)
Your personal budget will depend mostly on your accommodation choices and food habits.
The Camino itself is not expensive — but small daily choices add up over time.
2. Accommodation costs
Accommodation is usually the biggest daily expense, but also the easiest to control.
- Public albergues: €8–€12/night
- Private albergues: €12–€18/night
- Hostels / pensiones: €20–€35/night (shared or private rooms)
- Private rooms: €35–€60/night (basic)
- Hotels: €50–€90/night and up (depending on the region)
Public albergues are the cheapest and offer the most traditional Camino experience.
Private rooms are ideal if you need more rest, privacy, or are walking as a couple or with family.
3. Food and drink
Food costs vary depending on whether you prefer to cook, buy snacks, or eat in restaurants.
On many routes, cafés and bars are available every few kilometres.
- Breakfast: €3–€5 (coffee + pastry or toast)
- Lunch / snacks: €5–€10
- Pilgrim menu (menu del peregrino): €10–€14 (starter + main + dessert + wine/water)
- Restaurant dinner: €12–€20
Many pilgrims spend around €15–€25 per day on food.
If you cook your own meals in albergue kitchens, you can reduce this even further.
4. Transport to and from the Camino
Travel costs depend heavily on where you are coming from and where you are starting your route.
- Flights to Spain or Portugal: €50–€300+ depending on season and distance
- Domestic trains: €10–€40
- Long-distance buses: €5–€20
- Airport transfers / taxis: €5–€30
If you are starting in remote locations (like Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Irun or Seville),
expect a few transfers to reach your starting point.
5. Gear and equipment costs
If you already have hiking gear, your costs may be minimal.
But if you need to buy everything from scratch, the initial investment can be significant.
- Backpack: €40–€120
- Shoes / trail runners: €60–€150
- Clothing layers: €50–€150 total
- Rain gear: €20–€80
- Poles (optional): €20–€60
You don’t need expensive, high-end equipment.
Lightweight clothing, comfortable shoes, and a properly fitted backpack matter far more than brands.
6. Other common expenses
Small costs add up over a long pilgrimage. Budget a little extra for:
- Laundry: €3–€6 (machine wash + dryer)
- Snacks and drinks: €1–€3 each
- Pharmacy items (blister care, sunscreen): €5–€15
- Luggage transport (optional): €5–€7 per stage
- Post-Camino treats (Finisterre/Muxía): €10–€20
Many pilgrims find they spend around €3–€8 per day on these “extras”.
7. Cost breakdown by total trip length
Short Camino (5–7 days)
- Daily expenses: €150–€350
- Transport: €50–€200
- Total: €200–€500+
Medium Camino (10–14 days)
- Daily expenses: €300–€750
- Transport: €50–€250
- Total: €350–€1,000+
Long Camino (30–35 days)
- Daily expenses: €900–€2,000
- Transport: €50–€300
- Total: €1,000–€2,300+
8. Ways to save money on the Camino
- Stay in public albergues whenever possible.
- Choose lunch menú del día instead of full dinners.
- Buy snacks and fruit in supermarkets.
- Wash clothes by hand instead of using machines daily.
- Avoid unnecessary gear purchases — simplicity is key.
- Walk in spring or autumn for better prices and fewer crowds.
With mindful choices, it’s possible to walk the Camino comfortably on a tight budget.
9. Creating your personal Camino budget
To estimate your total cost, answer three simple questions:
- How many days will you walk?
- How comfortable do you want your accommodation?
- How much do you expect to spend on food and extras?
Multiply your daily budget by the number of walking days,
then add transport and any gear you need to buy before the trip.
The result will give you a clear, realistic estimate.
10. How BuenCamino.ai can help you plan costs
When our AI Camino Planner launches, it will help you estimate costs based on:
- Your chosen route and starting point
- Your preferred accommodation type
- Your walking speed and daily stage length
- Season and typical regional prices
You can sign up on our AI Planner page to be notified when the first version is ready.
Buen Camino – may yo