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Best Budget Tips for Barcelona and Madrid (and the rest of Spain)

Best Budget Tips for Barcelona and Madrid (and the rest of Spain)

Old Jun 9th, 2008, 11:48 AM
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Best Budget Tips for Barcelona and Madrid (and the rest of Spain)

Hello Fodorites, I’d like to introduce myself as the editor of the Fodor's Spain guidebook. I’ve been following some of your fabulous threads about your experiences in Spain and the advice you give to fellow travelers, and I'm hoping you can help me out with a new feature I'm working on for Spain 2009. It's about “beating the euro,” and I’d like to start a thread with tips on how to save money in Barcelona and Madrid, as well as in the rest of the country. I did find a great recent thread about saving money when you’re traveling with kids, but I’m also looking for some more general advice: is it cheaper to rent an apartment instead of shelling out for a hotel? What you think about splurging at recommended restaurants for lunch instead of dinner? Can you make a dinner out of tapas? Has the cost of transportation between cities (rental cars, train, and bus), stopped you from exploring outside the big cities, or are you finding good deals, and doing day trips?

Just like our other Word of Mouth features, if you're quoted you're eligible for a complimentary guide of your choice. It's hard to find a free lunch these days, but but here’s to finding at least a reasonably priced one, even with the exchange rate. Thanks for all your help!
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 11:58 AM
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Hi Caroline!

Best tip - beware of the many pickpockets in Barcelona and Madrid! There have been so many reports of pickpockets in these 2 cities that one can easily lose € & precious sightseeing time if one has their wallet/passport etc stolen!

Transportation - most cities have bónobus tickets which come out cheaper than buying individual tickets. I believe the bónobus can be shared among different travelers.

Renfe has discounted tickets if bought in advance. Web fare offers 60% off and Estrella fare offers 40% off. Good deal if your itinerary is set in stone.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 12:00 PM
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Not only can you make a dinner of tapas, that is my preferred way to eat! Not only do you get variety of food, you get variety of places too as you do a tapas bar crawl.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 12:33 PM
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In Barcelona the Boqueria Market is ideal not only for the experience of browsing but for picking up a great picnic lunch. Lots of fresh salads, fresh pressed juices etc.. Walk a few minutes down to the port for a great setting.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 02:28 PM
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in cafés, eat/drink at the bar on a stool, which is cheaper than an inside table, which is cheaper than an outdoor terrace table (in most cases).

check local papers or paper weekly guides for free rectials, etc.

show your student ID where possible. 65+ also receives SOME discounts, others are reserved for EU members over 65.

do not be initmidated to ask the price of something you do not see clearly on a menu.

and remember, most seafood/some prime meats are priced by the 100 grams.. the price you see is NOT the final one. Those you should order by weight.

find out the FREE museum days to see if any coincide with your visit.

if you are a biker or hiker, try to get in contact with the local club before your arrival as most certainly there will be some type of activity you can join into.

"bocadillos" in spain are about the best cost/filling quality of all the food. They can also be very customized... "ternera con cebolla frita y pimientos y pan a la plancha con tomate".. or throw a fried egg onto it or stuff it with homemade french fries.

probably will cost you 4-5 euros most places and it will be HUGE and filling.

fried eggs with chorizo and french fries is popular, and a delicacy in some restaurants, but your normal bar or café will only charge 4-5 euros for such a plate.

remember beer cost less than soft drinks many a time!

adding a dash of coñac (carajillo)to your coffee will cost only a few cents..
"con un poco de coñac, por favor.."
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 03:13 PM
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We have been fortunate to stay at inexpensive hotels on The Ramblas and they offer a cold buffet breakfast in the a.m. and refreshment and drinks all day long.. that helps..Bringing along a muffin or a piece of fruit or a fee bottle of water helps cut down costs. This trip we will hit the markets As for pickpockets I keep any bills or change in a zippered little cgabge purse and wth a LARGE safety pin ..pin it to a pull inside my bag or a piece ofhe bag. My husband bought a camera and camera bag strap with a metal si ut cant be cut easily..
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 03:15 PM
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In Malaga.. we walked around downtown and found a little side walk cafe ligterally in an alley.. and had the best fried smelts and calamari...the menu has pictures...fresh fried smelts.. a treat from my childhood days..
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 03:29 PM
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Hi Caroline!

Just want you to know that I think the Spain 2008 book is terrific! And thid is a good idea for the 2009 book.

Some great tips already, and I have to admit, until the dollar went in the toilet, Spain seemed like a wonderful bargain, so we didn't feel we had to search for them. Things are different now and I'm looking forward to hearing from other Fodorites to give me ideas for the future. (DD is going to Barcelona in Oct., so will be paying attention.)

I think the best bargain are the Paradores, but they're mostly located outside of cities. You talk about them in the Spain book, and I would agree that they are a fantastic experience. One tip I can add is to become an "amigo", which can be done on their website--www.parador.es, and you can get notices for specials. Also, it's great to plan trips to the outlying areas and stay at the paradores with the 5 day or 7 day cards, which are truly terrific bargains. We've done this on our last two trips and all I can say is that I've never stayed in a parador I didn't like!

Another budget tip--you can purchase phonecards from tobaco stands and save on long distance rates.

Oh yes, another tip--go to any supermarket for wine--amazing what good wines can be purchased for under 5 Euros. Really, I don't think I've ever had a bottle of wine in Spain I didn't like either!
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 04:04 PM
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Not sure that I have really great suggestions but will say that I think it's worth trying to find less expensive hotels (relative to your usual choices) so that you don't sweat the other costs (transportation, admission fees, sundries). Our family of four stayed in 3 star hotels and they were very clean, in safe locations and perfectly fine for a rest. Glad we didn't splurge on expensive hotels as the other costs were quite high thanks to the Euro.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 04:47 PM
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Caroline,
Yes, Spain has the "three tier system"; bar, mesa and terrace, but there are several things one can do when in a restaurant. One that will have the largest impact on your shrinking US Dollar is to do what most locals do, share a starter and desert and opt for the house wine. This being Spain, all of the restaurants we've ever eaten at serve an excellent house wine. This will go a long ways in saving you a few Euros, regardless of the restaurant. And don't be embarrassed at even the best restaurant as, in this case, everyone does it.

Remember, the strength of the Euro is not doing our Spanish friends any favors. Everything is far more expensive for them then it is for most Americans traveling abroad.


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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 04:52 PM
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On three trips to Spain in the last couple of years I spent a tiny bit more than I might have for hotels that had in room mini-fridges. I refilled my water bottles with tap water that was then kept cool - in the heat of Spanish summers this saved quite a bit on buying water. But more importantly, I bought food at grocery stores and markets and had in room picnics for many meals. El Cortes Ingles for example, has fabulous grocery sections where I got meats, cheeses, fruit, fresh bread, potato/pasta salads, etc.

Inter city bus travel is just as comfortable, and often more convenient and cheaper than train travel. I took buses from Madrid to Salamanca, Salamanca to Avila and Segovia, Segovia to Madrid, Cordoba to Granada, etc. In the US bus travel is often considered somewhat "sketchy" but it didn't feel that way at all in Spain.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 06:03 PM
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I still think the menu del dia a good savings overall taken as a very early main meal of the day at 2-3pm. Last time we went to Madrid in Cafe Vergara the choice of beverage was either bottled water or a glass of house tinto. Since we were two they brought us an entire bottle of the house wine for the same price. Desert was included as well.

Our second tip, find a hotel that includes breakfast in the price and still stays with budgeted price for the room. Compare for example booking.com which typically offers this breakfast option their their pricing.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 09:37 PM
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In restaurants ask for a menu of the day,price may vary but it can be around 9euros now.

If you seat on the terrace of a restaurant/bar they can legally add some cents for everything you ordered, as it will be stated in their public chart of prices.

Try some restaurants chains that many spaniards love too such as 100montaditos and Lizarran.
every small sandwich of 100 montaditos cost 1,20, three or four are enough for having lunch, they serve fast and have 100 to choose. This chain is all over spain
http://www.cerveceria100montaditos.com/

Lizarran is more expensive but the menu of the day has the option of choosing four pintxos as first. I consider a good option.
http://www.grupolizarran.com/

A sandwhich in any bar shoudln't be expensive, in madrid you may try famous El Brillante
http://madrid.salir.com/el_brillante
Also a ham sandwich at Museo del Jamon is not expensive.
http://www.museodeljamon.es/

For breakfast, don't stuck on hotels cafes, which are much more expensive, get to any cafeteria and order a cafe and a toast or churros or bun, normally until 12am a 'desayuno' have a lower price and could include an orange juice.
For kids order glass of milk or 'cola cao' (milk with chocolate).
Are there any cafes around where i am?? this is spain there are cafes everywhere, dozens!!
Bread with olive oil and tomato with a coffee is also asked by many people for having breakfast.

Buy food on supermarkets, but beware that El Corte Ingles and branches such as Opencor, Supercor, etc. are very good quality but expensive. If you want to buy something to bring back home as a gift or souvenir, some food from these supermarkets is a good option.
To buy some food to take away and do your own 'bocadillos' (sandwhiches) rather than buying in a bar, try some other supermarkets where you'll find bread and cold meat. Also fruit and small bars of cereals for a fast snack. Just find a park and a shadow and yu may have a better meal than in a cheap restaurant.

Locate where you may find supermarkeets around where you stay, these are some where spaniards buy the everyday food:
http://www.supermercadosdemadrid.com/
http://www.mercadona.es/
http://www.eroski.es
http://www.unide.es/opencms/opencms/...deestamos.html

cheaper but lower quality
http://www.lidl.es/es/home.nsf/pages/i.home
http://www.dia.es/

and just in case
http://www.elcorteingles.es/

Water, in Madrid tap water is quite good, take an empty bottle with you and refill at the hotel before leaving, not many fountains in the streets to avoid waste of water. In some restaurants you may ask for 'agua del grifo' for tap water. Menu of the day includes normally drinks, but you may ask for a glass of tap water additionally with no cost.
In some coastal cities water is safe but not very good.

Visit first the tourist information points to find the opening times and fares, and when it's cheaper or for free to get in museums, cathedrals, etc. Ask also for a free map of the city.




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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 11:08 PM
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Museo de Jamon in Madrid for some inexpensive dinner option.

In Seville, it's a MUST to go to La Carboneria. Skip paying for flamenco show and come to this amazing place. I went in and saw the most mesmerizing flamenco show for FREE here.

La Boqueria in Barcelona for some great lunch options.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 11:19 PM
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Have an 'aperitivo' with your drink.
WHAT IS IT? The 'aperitivo' is a fairly basic tapa given free automatically when a 'caña' (glass of beer) or a 'vino' (cup of wine) are ordered, but they usually are not given with coffee, water, fruit juice, coke/soft drinks or whisky/spirits. A different 'aperitivo' will be served with the subsequent drinks ordered. The 'aperitivos' are served of the barman's choice because does not mean they are included in the price, it means they are a 'gift', and it is very bad manners to complain about what you are given.
WHEN? From 1pm to 3pm and from 8pm to 9.30pm approx. In Madrid some bars serve the 'paella de aperitivo' (a bit of paella in a coffee saucer) on Sunday at mid-day.
WHERE IN MADRID? Traditional bars and cafeterias often off the touristy path.
WHERE IN SPAIN? Madrid and surrounding towns: Segovia, Avila, Toledo. Eastern Andalusia: provinces of Jaén, Granada and Almería. Extremadura: Cáceres, Plasencia, Badajoz. Castilla y León: León, Zamora, Burgos, Soria…

Some trails in Madrid:
* El Ñeru at calle Bordadores, 5. 'Cabrales' (blue cheese), potato omelette. Paella on Sunday (around 1 to 2.30pm).
* El Lacón at calle Manuel Fernández y González, 8. 'Garbanzos con callos' (chickpea with tripe).
* Naviego at calle Mayor, 18. 'Paella de aperitivo' on Sunday. Assorted aperitivos daily. Paella on Sunday (around 1 to 2.30pm).
* La Panera at calle Arenal, 19. 'Paella de aperitivo' on Sunday. Assorted aperitivos daily. Paella on Sunday (around 1 to 2.30pm).
* Refra at calle Santiago, 4. Assorted aperitivos daily.
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Old Jun 9th, 2008, 11:21 PM
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Mistake: NO paella at El Ñeru
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 06:39 AM
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On our recent trip to Spain, we chose to eat one large or full meal a day - either lunch or dinner, usually lunch. We would have a pastry or churros for breakfast and shop at El Corte Ingles for cheese, olives, ham, bread and wine and enjoy it outside or at the hotel on our little balcony.

We also planned our museum visits to coincide with the free admission days, which was especially easy to do in Madrid since they aren't all on the same day. In Barcelona, we bought the Articket, which more than paid for itself after visiting three of the seven featured attractions.

Walking in Madrid is just as easy as taking the metro, so weather permitting, we skipped the metro in favor of strolling the streets and plazas.
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 08:24 AM
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I can´t believe no one has mentioned that the Prado is free from 18:00 onwards every day ( Sundays from 17:00 ).

Strangely enough, it´s not really crowded at that time, and you can have a very enjoyable evening.

The Reina Sofia is also planning to have a similar schedule.

If you are staying more than a couple of days in Madrid, it can be a good idea.

Rgds, Cova
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 09:48 AM
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During our recent trip to Madrid and Seville we found that not only were tapas an economical way for us to eat we actually preferred it.My husband and I would typically order 2 glasses of house wine and split 4 tapas between us. The total prices of our meals were between 12-17E and it was more than enough food for the two of us. We also found by going a few blocks off the main tourist thoroughfares that prices were cheaper and the food was usually better.

If you plan on buying ceramics in Seville skip all the shops on Calle Sierpes and walk over the bridge into Triana. You will get much better prices and a greater selection. We purchased a large ceramic bowl with a traditional hunting motif for 37E in Triana, we saw a similar piece on Calle Sierpes going for 53E.

Need a cheap way to spend an afternoon in Madrid? Head to Parque Buen Ritero, it's free and an absolutely beautiful respite from the hustle of the Sol and the Gran Via.
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Old Jun 10th, 2008, 11:14 AM
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Avoid the expensive hotel breakfasts, you can have a very nice one in almost any bar in Spain for 2,50 to 3 euros each, including coffee, a piece of pastry and maybe some juice or a tortilla sandwich.

For lunch, try to avoid the most touristic places where everything is about 20% more expensive than in the rest of town. Menu del dia is a very good option for around 10 euros each including table wine and dessert.

Look for fixed menu prices for dinner, it is more expensive than lunch but surprise free when paying the bill. For around 20 euros per person you can have a nice dinner. You can always try those buffets in FresCo (8,50 euros, as much as you can, healthy and plenty) or chinese restaurants (10 euros max including drinks).

When ordering a beer, if in the BAsque country order a "zurito", half beer for around one euro, if in Madrid order a "caña", not a "cerveza" and you´ll pay one euro instead of two.

In a restaurant, always ask for the "vino de la casa" (normally a standard table wine, good enough if you´re not a gourmet), and in good restaurants it´s a very nice quality wine for a fair price.

Public transport is excellent in Spain and very cheap, avoid taxis when possible.

And 10% tipping is not at all customary, forget the US habits when in Spain!! Waiters get decent wages and a small tip (rounding off the bill to the nearest euro) is more than enough.
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