A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Bilbao vs. Barcelona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Bilbao or Barcelona?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and Barcelona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Bilbao or Barcelona?

Bilbao

The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.

Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.

Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Bilbao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €110, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €123. 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 Bilbao and Barcelona in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bilbao €57
    Barcelona €75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bilbao €114
    Barcelona €150
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Barcelona

Looking for a hotel in Bilbao or Barcelona? 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.

Hotels in Bilbao


Hotels in Barcelona


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: Bilbao Hotel Prices and Barcelona Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bilbao €21
    Barcelona €15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:

  • Private Airport Transfer: from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao: $25
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Bilbao to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $25
  • Arrival Private Transfer Business Car Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City: $47
  • Departure Private Transfer Business Car Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO: $47
  • Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $48
  • Bilbao Airport Private Departure Transfer: $48
  • Private Transfer to/from Bilbao Airport (BIO): $51
  • Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $54
  • Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $57
  • Bilbao Private Transfer from Bilbao city centre to Bilbao Airport: $67
  • Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City: $67
  • Departure Private Transfer Luxury Van Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO: $67

Typical Local Transportation prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:


  • 10 Trip Metro Ticket
    €7.80
  • Airport Bus
    €5.00
  • Metro
    €2.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:

  • Airport Transfer: $127
  • Airport Transfers: $20
  • Airport, Port cruise & Hotel Transfers: $81
  • Ancient winery of vermouth, Tarragona & Reus: private Round-Trip Transfer: $311
  • Arrival Private Transfer Barcelona City or Airport to Andorra by Business Car: $445
  • Arrival Private Transfer Barcelona Port to Barcelona City by Business Car: $57
  • Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Barcelona Port to Barcelona City: $70
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Barcelona Cruise Port to Bacelona City: $88
  • Barcelona - Salou private transfer: $198
  • Barcelona 1-Way Private Luxury Airport or Port Transfer: $47
  • Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Cruise Port - Arrival Private Car Transfer: $46
  • Barcelona Airport (BCN) to Cruise Port - Arrival Private Van Transfer: $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Barcelona?

Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Bilbao 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bilbao €37
    Barcelona €27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.

  • The authentic Bilbao food tour: $96

Typical Food prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:


  • Hot Cocoa & Churro
    €4.15
  • Sandwich
    €1.70
  • Baguette & Horchata
    €3.80
  • Tapas on the beach
    €8.28
  • Gelatto
    €2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.

  • Live from Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class: $23
  • Live from Barcelona to China: Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class: $23
  • Barcelona organic dinner in a beautiful rooftop garden: $35
  • Paella Cooking Experience + Boqueria Market Tour: $48
  • Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona: $49
  • Hands-on Brunch Cooking Class with Bottomless Mimosas!: $50
  • Born district food tour and tasting in Barcelona: $51
  • Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert: $52
  • Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $52
  • Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit: $59
  • Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket: $62
  • 2-Hour Bites & Flavors Private Food Tour: $66

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bilbao €23
    Barcelona €27

Tours and Activities in Bilbao

Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Guided Tour of the Arriaga Theater: $5.66
  • Old Town Walking Tour and Cable Car Ride: $19
  • 3-Hour Guided Bike Tour: $36
  • Bilbao Historical Area: Small-Group Walking Tour: $36
  • Alternative Bike Tour: $40
  • Guided Tour of Guggenheim in Spanish with Ticket: $44
  • personalized guided tour with a local: $50
  • Old Quarter Walking Guided Tour: $51
  • Off-the-Beaten-Path Seaside Cycling Tour: $62
  • Basque Coast Tour: Vizcaya Bridge, Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika: $75
  • Getxo and Bizcaya Bridge (UNESCO Site) Bike Tour from Bilbao: $77
  • Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup: $81

Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:


  • Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass
    €42
  • Souvenir Gaudi Book
    €8.55
  • Admission to Museo Picasso
    €6.00

Tours and Activities in Barcelona

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:

  • A Culinary Audio Tour of El Born by VoiceMap: $5.50
  • Self-Guided Tour with Over 100 Sights: $5.67
  • Private Barcelona Ghost Tour: Gothic Quarter Exploration Game: $7.45
  • Museu de la Xocolata Admission Ticket: $7.46
  • History Museum of Catalonia Skip-The-Line Ticket: $9.08
  • Skip the Line: Erotic Museum of Barcelona Admission Ticket with free souvenir: $9.95
  • Skip the Line: Human Bodies - Entrance to the exhibition Ticket: $9.95
  • Skip the Line: History Museum of Catalonia & Rooftop Access Ticket: $9.95
  • Guided Tour at Catalonia's Royal Academy of Medicine: $10
  • Guided Tour at Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts: $10
  • IDEAL Frida Kahlo, the Life of an Icon Ticket: $10
  • Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum Entry Ticket: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bilbao €17
    Barcelona €14

Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao

Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • La Rioja and Vitoria Wine Tour with Winery Visit: $87
  • Cantabric Sea Experience: Food & Wine Tasting: $199
  • La Rioja Wine Tour with Two Winery Visits with Wine Tasting from Bilbao: $243
  • Architectural Rioja Wine Tour from Bilbao: $287
  • San Sebastian & The Basque Wine Region with Lunch and Wine Tasting (From Bilbao): $305
  • Essential Rioja Private Wine Tour from Bilbao: $311
  • La Rioja Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch from Bilbao: $383

Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:

  • Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $9.08
  • Generation Pub Crawl in Barcelona: $19
  • Barcelona Pub Crawl: $20
  • Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona: $22
  • Opera Samfaina: Food and Wine Tasting Interactive Experience in Barcelona: $26
  • Wine tasting & tapas: $39
  • Barcelona Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour: $44
  • Wine Tasting near Sagrada Familia: $47
  • Home Food and Wine Tasting with Wine Lover: $51
  • Fun Wine Tasting in Barcelona with a Sommelier!: $53
  • Spanish wine tasting in a historic building with a Sommelier: $54
  • Food Tasting Tapas and Wine Tour: $62

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Bilbao and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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.


When is the best time to visit Bilbao or Barcelona?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bilbao or Barcelona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Barcelona. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bilbao is generally cooler than Barcelona. Temperatures in Bilbao average around 20°C (68°F), and Barcelona stays around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bilbao 20°C (68°F) 
    Barcelona 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Barcelona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Barcelona. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.

Bilbao is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the autumn. The temperature in Bilbao is usually 16°C (62°F) in October, and Barcelona stays around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao usually gets more rain in October than Barcelona. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bilbao 16°C (62°F) 
    Barcelona 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Barcelona in the Winter?

Both Barcelona and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Bilbao is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bilbao in January are around 9°C (48°F), and Barcelona is about 9°C (48°F).

Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bilbao 9°C (48°F) 
    Barcelona 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Bilbao or Barcelona in the Spring?

Both Barcelona and Bilbao during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Bilbao is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Temperatures in Bilbao average around 12°C (54°F), and Barcelona stays around 13°C (55°F).

In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Barcelona. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bilbao 12°C (54°F) 
    Barcelona 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Barcelona and Bilbao

Bilbao Barcelona
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Mar 11°C (51°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 11°C (52°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (74°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 21°C (70°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 16°C (62°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 152 mm (6 in) 13°C (55°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 10°C (49°F) 50 mm (2 in)


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