Which place is cheaper, Puerto del Carmen or Biarritz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Biarritz or Puerto del Carmen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Biarritz or Puerto del Carmen? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Biarritz or Puerto del Carmen?
Biarritz
Biarritz is an elegant seaside town on southwestern France's Basque coast that has been a popular resort since European royalty started visiting the area in the 1800s. It is located on France's Atlantic Coast in the Bay of Biscay. Half ritzy coastal resort, half summer surfer's hang-out, the seaside resort of Biarritz has been a favorite seaside getaway ever since Napoleon III and his Spanish-born wife Eugenie arrived during the mid-19th century. To entertain her court, the empress built a grand palace, which is now a luxurious hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Other than this exquisite villa by the sea, the names of the streets in Biarritz also hint at the city's royal past: Avenue de l'Imperatrice, Avenue de la Reine Victoria, and Esplanade Elizabeth II. Mansions decked with steeples and spectacular windows recall the city's 19th-century splendors. Though the royal influence of Biarritz has faded, the city is still a popular tourist destination for those looking for a classic summer holiday. Pristine sandy beaches, beautiful coastal villas, and stylish restaurants offer a sophisticated ambience. Wide seafront promenades and well-placed benches allow visitors to soak up the stunning natural landscape. Biarritz is also the capital of surfing in Europe.
Puerto del Carmen
Located on the south-eastern coast of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is a popular resort area best known for its high concentration of bars, pubs, restaurants, and clubs. By day, visitors frequent the beaches for swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, and other watersports - and by night, they flock to enjoy the live music and drinks of the area's thriving nightlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBiarritz €131Puerto del Carmen €173
The average daily cost (per person) in Biarritz is €131, while the average daily cost in Puerto del Carmen is €173. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Biarritz and Puerto del Carmen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBiarritz €74Puerto del Carmen €98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBiarritz €148Puerto del Carmen €196
Compare Hotels in Biarritz and Puerto del Carmen
Looking for a hotel in Biarritz or Puerto del Carmen? 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: Biarritz Hotel Prices and Puerto del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Biarritz €39Puerto del Carmen €39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Biarritz
Also for Biarritz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Sebastian: Optimized transfer to Biarritz & surroundings: $262
- Private transfer from Biarritz BIQ airport to San Sebastian: $229
- Private Transfer from Biarritz city to San Sebastian Airport: $167
- Private Transfer from Biarritz city to San Sebastian : $167
- Chauffeured Transfer between Biarritz Airport, Train Station and City Center: $71
- Biarritz : Private transfer to/from airport & train Station: $70
- Biarritz : Optimized transfer to/from Bordeaux: $749
- Arrival Private Transfer BIQ Airport to Biarritz by Luxury Vehicle: $85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto del Carmen
Also for Puerto del Carmen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lanzarote : Parasailing activity with hotel transfer: $102
Is it cheaper to fly into Biarritz or Puerto del Carmen?
Prices for flights to both Puerto del Carmen and Biarritz 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 dayBiarritz €34Puerto del Carmen €51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Biarritz
For Biarritz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Biarritz Food Tour Gastronomique- Taste 10 Basque specialties: $76
- Bayonne Food Tour: Journey Through Flavors (with food and drinks): $97
- Traditional Bayonne Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
- Basque Country Food Tour: $240
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Biarritz €16Puerto del Carmen €17
Tours and Activities in Biarritz
For Biarritz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Basque tour of Biarritz: $49
- Bayonne Food Gastronomic Tour - Taste 10 Basque specialties: $97
- Bayonne Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $279
- Biarritz guided walking & gourmet tour: $74
- Biarritz, Bayonne, and Basque Country: Private Driving Tour: $957
- 2-Hour Private Guided Walking Tour: $187
- City Exploration Game & Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.45
- E-bike Guided Tour With Sunset local Aperitif Ride: $32
- E-bike Guided Tour to Small California: $37
- French Basque Country Coastline tour in a 70'sVW Van: $457
- French Basque Country Private Day Tour in an 70's VW Combi: $599
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBiarritz €8.05Puerto del Carmen €60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Biarritz and Puerto del Carmen, we can see that Puerto del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Biarritz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Biarritz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Biarritz and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Puerto del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto del Carmen than you might in Biarritz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Biarritz Expensive? and Is Puerto del Carmen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Biarritz or Puerto del Carmen?
Biarritz has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Puerto del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Biarritz and Puerto del Carmen, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.