Purchasing power in Spain; Ireland
 

Will be heading to Spain in a couple of weeks. I'm wondering just how far my euro will stretch via their recession. After two weeks, we head to Ireland. Will a Guinness cost me more or maybe less because of the recession there? Thanks for any info you can provide.

I found prices in Spain to be high, compared to what they are in my home in the northwestern U.S.

Expect $5 -$7 per pint, depending on the establishment.

Generally you find prices significantly lower in Spain than in Ireland, esp Dublin. A typical pint of Guinness is at least 4 euro in a pub, more in Temple Bar area (5-6 euro). Recession hasn't reduced cost of drinks in Ireland, as most is taxation, which has actually gone up. In Southern Spain, which is cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona, you can have a small beer from as little as 1-1.50 euro, 2-3 euro a pint, so about a half of Irish prices (taxation on alcohol is way lower).

Assuming you are just using a pint as a benchmark - Spain is generally cheaper than Ireland - and both will probably be more expensive that most places in the US. Sometimes much more expensive if you're from a small town - versus, for instance NYC.

Europe is in the World Recession yes but just how many Zero's are in the 6 Trillion that the US admits to owing?? Have prices gone down in the US??

Having come back from both recently I can agree with everyone else.

Spain will be cheaper than Ireland and while lots of things in Spain (we were in Andalusia) were more expensive than San Francisco some things were cheaper, for example a glass of local wine which was far more reasonable than we would pay here.

Prices have not come down in Europe due to the recession. In fact in some ares they have gone up due to value added tax going up to increase government revenues.

As I also go regularly to both countries, the biggest difference is indeed alcoholic beverages.

While it may not be that relevant whether you pay €3 or €5 for a pint of beer a few times, you should be careful to order wine with your dinner. While in Spain mark-ups are really really moderate (a €10 bottle may cost €13-15 at a restaurant), the same bottle may cost €15 at the supermarket and €35 at a (regular, not fancy) restaurant. As others said, prices in Spain drop even more once you get away from the Madrid- Sevilla- Granada- Barcelona tourist trail. Last time in Southern Catalunya (or was it Aragon already) I sat down at the central market place of a picture-perfect provincial capital at the fanciest cafe and got charged 1.10 for a glass of red.

Many eateries or shops have "crisis specials", so you can expect to save a few euros here and there if you keep your eyes open. Those places with many tourists usually don't need to make these offers as the streets of Barcelona are still full of tourists who go to the same two dozen places promoted by well-known travel forums and guide books ;-)

Public transportation is still cheap in Ireland, if you stay away from walk-up fares for trains. Long-distance buses are much cheaper.
Gas is a bit cheaper in Spain, though still very expensive from an American perspective.

Shopping is more or less the same. Major clothes brands, for example, tag their stuff before it goes into their outlets, so a sweater from Zara will cost €40 in Dublin as well as in Madrid or elsewhere in the Euro zone.

Other typical tourist activities like sightseeing are also more or less the same. The more tourists, the higher the fee. Though Ireland has a vast number of buildings and parks and gardens or historic ruins managed by a state agency. They usually charge very reasonable or low entrance fees, compared with major tourist sights in Spain, e.g. the Gaudi mansions in Barcelona.

As the exchange rate is still more in favor of the euro, you may find everything is 20 pct more expensive in Western/Central part of the Euro zone as a very rough average.

In Spain, I recommend to do as the locals and have the main meal at lunch-time (from about 1.30pm). Most restaurants will then serve a great value three course Menu del día (today's menu) with drinks included. Normally three chioces for both starter, main and dessert. The menu del día will often just be some 8-12€. http://www.eyeonspain.com/spain-maga...u-del-dia.aspx

Thanks to all of you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. Now I won't be shocked when I look at a menu.

1st thing to look at on an Irish menu is the price of the Soup €4 is fine €6 means find somewhere else. Always ask the Barman or chamber maid at the hotel where they go out to eat.