How to Reach?
yo guys, if you’re like me, an indian traveler who’s always counting every rupee, getting to spain isn’t as scary as it sounds. i flew from delhi with a layover in dubai or istanbul depending on the airline. seriously, book your tickets like 3-4 months early if you can. i got mine for around 38k one way with air india and turkish airlines combo. ngl it was tiring but worth it.
from the airport, don’t be that fool who takes a taxi straight away. madrid and barcelona airports have metro and train options that cost like 5-6 euros only. i took the renfe train from barcelona airport to the city center and it was super easy. honestly the signs are clear even if your english is average like mine.
if you’re coming from other european cities, ryanair and easyjet have crazy cheap flights. i saw tickets for 15-20 euros sometimes but tbh those early morning flights are painful. you won’t sleep properly but your wallet will thank you. trains are good too if you’re moving inside spain. the alsa buses are actually decent and cheaper than trains for long distances. i took one from madrid to valencia and it wasn’t bad at all. just don’t expect luxury.
one thing that pissed me off was how some budget airlines charge for everything. i got charged 40 euros extra because my bag was 2cm bigger than their limit. learn from my mistake and measure your bag properly.
Where to Stay?
okay this is where you need to be smart. i stayed in hostels mostly and it wasn’t that bad. in barcelona i found this place called downtown hostel for around 1200 rupees per night in a 8-bed dorm. the location was killer, just 10 mins walk from las ramblas. bathrooms were shared and sometimes dirty but what do you expect at that price.
in madrid i tried airbnb for few days. got a small room in a local’s apartment for 1800 rupees per night. the host was this sweet old lady who didn’t speak much english but we managed with google translate. she even gave me tips about cheap supermarkets nearby.
to be fair, hostels in spain are way better than indian ones. people are friendly and you meet travelers from everywhere. i made friends with a brazilian guy and we ended up traveling together for 4 days. saved money on food and transport too.
avoid staying right in the main tourist areas if you can. those places are expensive and noisy. i stayed little outside in gracia area in barcelona and it was so much better. cheaper eats and less crowds. seriously don’t book those 5000 rupees hotels unless you’re loaded. you can get decent places for half that money.
one negative thing – some hostels have terrible wifi. i couldn’t even call home properly one time. and the beds? some are rock hard. but you get what you pay for i guess.
What to Eat?
food is where spain surprised me big time. i thought it would be all fancy and expensive but actually you can eat really cheap if you know where to look.
first, tapas. oh man those small plates are lifesaver for budget travelers. in madrid i found bars where you pay for one drink and get free tapas. seriously i ate like a king for 3 euros sometimes. my favorite was patatas bravas – those spicy potatoes with sauce. so good.
paella is must try but don’t eat it in tourist traps. i had authentic one in valencia for 800 rupees and it was massive. enough for two people actually. we shared and saved money.
for breakfast, go to any bakery and get churros with chocolate. costs like 150-200 rupees and fills you up properly. i was having that almost every morning.
supermarkets are your best friend. mercadona and lidl have cheap stuff. i bought bread, cheese, fruits and made my own sandwiches. saved so much money this way. one day i spent only 400 rupees on food because i cooked pasta in hostel kitchen.
honestly the seafood is fresh but can be pricey. i tried some grilled fish in barcelona but it was average for the price. stick to veggies and chicken if you’re watching budget.
don’t forget sangria. cheap wine with fruits. but don’t overdo it like i did one night in madrid. woke up with worst headache and wasted one full day.
indian food? there are some places in big cities but they’re expensive and not that authentic. i survived on local food mostly. after 10 days i was craving dal rice so bad but managed.
Best Time to Visit
if you’re on budget, avoid june to august completely. it’s too hot and everything gets super expensive. hotels double their prices and beaches are crowded like crazy. i went in april and it was perfect. weather was nice, not too hot, and prices were reasonable.
september and october are good too. fewer tourists and rates drop. i wish i went in march but my leaves didn’t work out.
winter is cheap but cold in the north. if you don’t mind wearing jackets then you can get crazy deals. flights and hostels become half price. but walking around cities in 5 degree weather isn’t fun tbh.
weekends are more expensive than weekdays. i learned this the hard way when my barcelona hostel was 800 rupees more on friday night.
Budget (Indian Rupees)
let me be super honest with you. spain isn’t cheap but you can do it nicely with planning.
for 10 days trip, i spent around 85,000 rupees total including flights. here’s the breakup:
– flights from india: 55,000 (round trip)
– hostels for 9 nights: 12,000
– local transport: 4,500 (i used metro passes wisely)
– food: 11,000 (if i ate out every meal it would be double)
– attractions: 2,500 (many churches and parks are free)
daily budget should be around 4500-5500 rupees if you’re careful. that includes everything.
tips to cut cost:
– get city tourist cards if staying 3+ days in one place. barcelona card saved me money on transport and some attractions.
– walk a lot. i walked 15k steps daily and saved on metro.
– eat at places where locals eat. avoid any restaurant with pictures of food outside.
– share taxis or use uber pool when possible.
if you’re two people traveling together, costs come down a lot because you can share rooms and food.
Tips for First-Timers
first thing – learn basic spanish words. seriously even “hola” “gracias” “por favor” helps so much. people are nice when you try.
don’t carry too much cash. atms are everywhere but they charge fees. i used my axis bank card that has zero forex charges. saved me big time.
siesta time is real. many shops close between 2-5pm. don’t plan anything during that time or you’ll be disappointed.
pickpockets are everywhere in tourist areas. i saw one guy losing his phone in barcelona metro. keep your stuff in front pockets or use money belt.
public toilets are not free everywhere. carry some coins. and some are so dirty you’ll want to cry.
spain people eat late. dinner at 9pm is normal. i was hungry by 7pm and had to adjust.
download offline maps. internet can be spotty sometimes.
and please don’t be that loud indian tourist. spaniards are chill people. match their energy.
one thing that annoyed me was how slow service is in restaurants. they won’t bring bill until you ask. at first i thought they forgot but it’s their style.
FAQ
is spain safe for solo travelers?
yeah pretty safe but be careful at night in certain areas of barcelona. i never felt scared but i’m a guy. girls should be extra careful with drinks.
can i survive without speaking spanish?
i did. most young people speak english. but learning few words makes things easier. google translate saved me many times.
is it easy to get vegetarian food?
not as easy as india but possible. ask for “sin carne” which means without meat. lots of tortilla and salad options.
should i rent a car?
no unless you going to countryside. cities have good public transport and parking is expensive and painful.
how much money should i carry in cash?
around 15-20k rupees equivalent in euros is enough. rest use cards.
are there many indians there?
you’ll see some in big cities but not like in dubai or london. i met two gujarati guys running a small shop in madrid. felt nice talking in hindi.
is tap water drinkable?
yes in most places. i drank it everywhere and didn’t get sick.
what about sim card?
get it at airport or use airalo esim. i got 10gb for 800 rupees and it worked perfectly.
look, spain isn’t perfect. it’s expensive compared to southeast asia, some places are too touristy, and summer heat can kill you. but the food, the people, the vibe – it’s all pretty good. i went with 1 lakh budget and came back with memories that beat any fancy resort holiday. just plan smart, don’t waste money on stupid stuff, and you’ll have an amazing time. if i can do it on my salary, you definitely can. go for it yaar.
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