Which city is cheaper, Madrid or Berlin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Berlin vs. Madrid for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Music
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Should you visit Berlin or Madrid?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berlin or Madrid, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Berlin
Berlin is a eclectic, diverse, and historic city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.
Madrid
Madrid is a friendly, cultural, and diverse city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.
Berlin and Madrid: Pros and Cons
Berlin
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Good music scene
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Big city activities
Madrid
Pros- Popular museums and historical sights
- Good music scene
- Family-friendly
- Good for couples and romance
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Big city activities
How is Berlin different from Madrid?
Which is Better for a Holiday?
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Madrid and Berlin. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Is Berlin or Madrid Better for Museums and Historical Sights?
Berlin
Madrid
Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Berlin and Madrid.
The museums and tourist attractions in Berlin are world-renowned. Famous landmarks include the rebuilt Reichstag, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Berliner Fernsehturm. Many of the city's oldest and most famous museums are found on Museum Island.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Madrid. There are a number of cultural sights in the city including Museo Nacional del Prado, the Royal Palace and Gardens, and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.
Is Berlin or Madrid Better for Food?
Berlin
Madrid
Dining out at restaurants in both Berlin and Madrid can be an enjoyable experience.
Berlin has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a great international food scene, but also all of the traditional favorites like currywurst, spätzle, and schnitzel.
Many restaurants in Madrid have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a mix of flavors that come from all of Spain. Local favorites include roast suckling pig, Spanish omelette, and meat and chickpea stew.
Is Berlin or Madrid Better for Nightlife?
Berlin
Madrid
If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find comparable options between Berlin and Madrid.
The nightlife in Berlin is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene here is legendary. There are club nights that last for days, bars and parties that appeal to every personality, and a diversity of venues that you can choose from. You'll find the classic techno warehouses, but there are also modern dance clubs, bunker parties, and raves.
Madrid is a world class party destination. Many tourists and international students hang out in the Huertas area, while Malasaña has a bohemian, hipster vibe with small clubs that play indie music. Chueca is a fun area that's known for being gay-friendly with many good bars. Finally, you'll find that the area around Avenida de Brasil is where famous DJs often perform.
Is Berlin or Madrid Better for Music?
Berlin
Madrid
Berlin and Madrid are both destinations where visitors can find live music.
With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Berlin. From the raves to the techno parties, there is a hugely diverse music scene in the city. It is so much more than the stereotypical punk and techno music that Berlin is known for. Rock, pop, and other genres are popular as well.
In Madrid you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Rock, jazz, and flamenco are all popular in the city. Some of the most well known music venues include Sala Caracol, Sala Clamores, and Costello Club.
Is Berlin or Madrid Better for Shopping?
Berlin
Madrid
If you're looking to go shopping, Berlin and Madrid both offer plenty of spots.
Known for shopping, Berlin draws large crowds to its stores. Bookshops, flea markets, luxury boutiques and artisan shops all make up the shopping scene in the city. Kurfürstendamm is one of the most famous shopping districts in the city.
Madrid is a world class destination for shoppers. Gran Vía is a main thoroughfare in Madrid that is also popular for shopping. Calle Fuencarral is where you'll find the fashion shops and Calle Preciados is a fun pedestrian area to explore.
Is Berlin or Madrid Better for Families?
Berlin
Madrid
Berlin and Madrid are both fun destinations for the whole family.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Berlin is very family-friendly. The city has a number of great kid-friendly museums such as the Museum of Natural History and the Computer Games Museum. There's also Legoland, an impressive aquarium, and lots of parks and playgrounds to explore.
Madrid is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids love splashing around at Madrid Río, taking a ride on the cable car (Teleférico), and exploring the city's many parks and playgrounds. There's even a maze at Sabatini Gardens. Restaurants around the city are also very kid-friendly.
Is Berlin or Madrid Better for Couples?
Berlin
Madrid
Berlin and Madrid are both fun to visit as a couple.
Berlin is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Romantic activities in the city include wandering through Schloss Charlottenburg gardens and learning to dance at Clärchen’s Ballhaus.
Madrid is a very popular place to visit for couples. Fun and romantic activities around town include taking a boat ride at Casa de Campo, riding a bike in one of the many parks, and enjoy dinner and show in the evening.
Is Berlin or Madrid Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?
Berlin
Madrid
For backpackers, both Berlin and Madrid are fairly comparable places to visit.
With so many budget-friendly offerings, Berlin is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has no shortage of hostels to choose from, many of which organize activities and tours that guests can enjoy.
Madrid is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The many hostels around town make it easy for backpackers to find affordable accommodation while also meeting other travelers.
Is Berlin or Madrid Better for Students?
Berlin
Madrid
For students, both Berlin and Madrid are fairly comparable places to visit.
Berlin is a great destination for students. With it's rich culture and eclectic creative side, this city appeals to many international students. There's also a great social scene that is perfect for university students.
Madrid is a very popular city for students. With several great universities, this city is popular with international and study abroad students. The city also has a diverse population and an active nightlife that appeals to students.
Is Berlin or Madrid Better for Public Transit?
Berlin
Madrid
Berlin and Madrid both offer public transit to get you around.
Visitors in Berlin can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There transportation system is diverse and includes the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, buses, and trams.
Madrid has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The system includes the Madrid Metro, buses, and a light rail system.
Is Berlin or Madrid a more walkable city?
Berlin
Madrid
Berlin and Madrid are similar when it comes to walkability.
Berlin is a very walkable city. While parts of the city are very walkable, the neighborhoods spread out and the city covers a large amount of space, so walking isn't always practical.
It is easy to get around Madrid on foot. Most tourists stay in the central part of Madrid where it's compact and relatively easy to walk to most tourist sights.
Should I spend more time in Madrid or Berlin?
How long in Berlin or Madrid?
In either Berlin or Madrid, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Berlin than Madrid because of the overall number of sights and activities.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Berlin is 2-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Madrid is 2-5 days.
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How many days in Berlin or Madrid? Ideal Length of StayBerlin 2-7Madrid 2-5
One day in Berlin or Madrid?
Berlin is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Madrid. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
A weekend in Berlin or Madrid?
Berlin is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Madrid is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Five days in Berlin or Madrid?
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Berlin. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Madrid. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
A week in Berlin or Madrid?
Berlin is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cultural big city of Madrid. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBerlin €110Madrid €107
The average daily cost (per person) in Berlin is €110, while the average daily cost in Madrid is €107. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Berlin and Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerlin €51Madrid €59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerlin €102Madrid €118
Compare Hotels in Berlin and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Berlin or Madrid? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Berlin Hotel Prices and Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berlin €14Madrid €15
Typical Local Transportation prices in Berlin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:
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Short Trip Metro Ticket€1.40
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Bahn Ticket€3.00
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Short Taxi Ride€20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berlin
Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Berlin to Bayeux - Up to 7 people: $4,128
- VIP transfer from Berlin to Munich - Mercedes E-Class with private driver: $1,359
- Private transfer from Berlin to Prague with Stopover in Dresden: $906
- Private Shore Excursion: All-Highlights of Berlin (shared port transfer): $748
- Transfer Berlin-Prague or Prague-Berlin, with optional 2 hours visit to Dresden: $740
- Private transfer from Berlin to Prague: $733
- VIP transfer from Berlin to Warsaw - Mercedes E-Class with private driver: $703
- 1-way private transfer Berlin to Karlovy Vary - Mercedes Benz - up to 8 persons: $662
- Private Transfer: Berlin to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER): $622
- Private Transfer from Berlin to Amsterdam with 2 Sightseeing Stops: $549
- Private Transfer from Berlin to Amsterdam with 2h of Sighseeing: $549
- Private transfer from Berlin to Krakow: $509
Typical Local Transportation prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride€26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private one way transfer from Madrid to Seville with private pick up & drop off: $1,081
- Private Transfer from Madrid city to Biarritz: $890
- Private Transfer from Madrid city to Biarritz Airport: $890
- Private Weekend Trip to Madrid with Private Transfers and Private Tours: $840
- Private Transfer from Madrid city to Pamplona: $753
- Private Transfer from Madrid city to Pamplona Airport: $753
- DUCA - Hassle-Free transfer from Madrid to Vicentine Coast: $743
- Private Transfer from Madrid to Bilbao Cruise Port: $739
- Private Transfer from Madrid city to Bilbao: $739
- Private Transfer from Madrid city to Bilbao Airport: $739
- Private Transfer from Madrid city to Santander Airport: $677
- Private Transfer from Madrid to Santander Port: $677
Is it cheaper to fly into Berlin or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid and Berlin change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBerlin €41Madrid €27
Typical Food prices in Berlin
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Berlin:
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Sandwich and Coffee To Go€5.00
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Turkish Sandwich€2.00
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Currywurst€2.00
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2 Pho Noodles€9.00
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Restaurant Dinner and Beers (for 2)€60
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Mauer Park (2)€11
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Coffees at Impala€7.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- English Comedy Ticket including Pizza in Berlin Mitte: $16
- English Comedy Showcase Including Pizza in Berlin Mitte: $25
- Bitemojo Self Guided Food Tour New To Berlin: $40
- Dinner Cruise – “This is the CHEF talking”: $49
- Berlin Kreuzberg - Food Tour: $53
- Berlin Mitte - Food Tour: $53
- Berlin Food Tour: $55
- Withlocals 10 Tastings: Covid-19 Regulated Private Food Tour: $57
- Berlin Dinner Cruise.: $61
- History Bites: The Berlin History and Food Tour: $61
- Fun Dinner and Dancing by Gaiety in Berlin: $84
- Vegan Food Tour Experience in Berlin: $87
Typical Food prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee€2.00
-
Ice Cream€3.00
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Kebabs (for 2)€16
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Croissant€1.50
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)€16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Virtual Cooking Class: The Spanish Paella Experience: $24
- Florida Retiro Dinner Show: $38
- Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $49
- Virtual cooking - spanish "tortilla de patatas": $50
- Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $50
- Flamenco Workshop and Show with Dinner and Drinks: $51
- Skip the Line: Flamenco Show with Dinner and Workshop in Madrid Ticket: $52
- Homemade pasta cooking class and lunch in the heart of Madrid: $58
- Mamaz Social Italian Dinner in Madrid: $60
- 3-hour Virtual Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid: $62
- Iberico Ham and Spanish Wine Small-Group Food Tour: $67
- Authentic Italian Dinner in Madrid: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Berlin €18Madrid €27
Typical Entertainment prices in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Berlin Zoo (2)€20
Tours and Activities in Berlin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Berlin.
- 1-Hour Segway Discovery Tour Berlin: $47
- 2 Hour Berlin Small Group Segway Tour: $65
- 2 Hours Private Custom Berlin Tour With A Local Guide: $70
- 2 hour 15 min Berlin Wall Self Drive Trabant Tour: $106
- 2-Hour Island Landscapes Boattour from Berlin: $20
- 2-Hour Segway Discovery Tour Berlin: $66
- 2.5-Hour Berlin Center Boat Cruise on the River Spree: $31
- 2.5-Hour Berlin City Tour of Famous Attractions by Minibus: $51
- 2.5-Hour Berlin Wall and Memorial Sites Walking Tour: $23
- 2h Berlin Discovery Tour in an Vintage Volkswagen Beetle: $81
- 3 Hours Segway Discovery Tour Berlin: $93
- 3 hours Berlin 100% Personalized City Tour: $58
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- 10 Days Tour Heart of Spain: $1,592
- 10-Day Andalusia and Morocco escorted tour from Madrid: $1,680
- 10-Day Guided Tour Morocco and Andalusia from Madrid: $1,709
- 11-Day Portugal and Andalucia Guided Tour from Madrid: $1,735
- 12-Day Morocco and South of Spain Tour from Madrid: $1,722
- 13-Day Mediterranean Capitals Guided Tour from Madrid: $2,114
- 2 Hour Hidden Oasis Retiro Park Madrid Small Group Segway Tour: $33
- 2 Hours Secrets of Madrid Retiro Park Tour: $11
- 2-Day Guided Tour Cordoba and Seville from Madrid: $404
- 2-Day guided tour Caceres & Sevilla from Madrid by Bus and High Speed Train: $361
- 2-Hour Patisserie Experience for Dessert Lovers: $50
- 2-Hour Tour of Prado Museum in Madrid: $72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBerlin €13Madrid €16
Typical Alcohol prices in Berlin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Show€14
Sample the Local Flavors in Berlin
Also in Berlin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Berlin Pub Crawl And Night Life Tour: $15
- Guided Pub Crawl with Shots: $20
- Berlin Nightlife: The Original Pub Crawl: $20
- #1 Berlin Pub Crawl: $25
- Sean's Wine Tasting Events: $66
- Showgirls of Burlesque by Gl’Amouresque: $66
- Welcome to Berlin tour! Sightseeing, souvenirs and visit of a German brewery: $236
Typical Alcohol prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer€5.00
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)€13
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Pub Crawl in Madrid: $15
- Pub Crawl Madrid by Madpartycrew: $19
- Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $20
- Wine Tasting Experience: $32
- Wine Tasting Experience: $43
- Madrid Tapas and Mysteries Walking Tour with Private Option and Pub Crawl: $47
- Wine Tasting and Flamenco Master Class in Madrid: $58
- Segovia and Spanish Versailles Full-Day Tour with Wine Tasting: $62
- Old Town Madrid Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $82
- Gourmet Tapas & Wine Tasting Experience In Madrid: $91
- Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour: $93
- Madrid Tapas Diaries- A Premium Food & Wine Tour in the old city of Madrid: $123
When comparing the travel costs between Berlin and Madrid, we can see that Berlin is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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