Which place is cheaper, Bonaire or Bilbao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bilbao or Bonaire?
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 Bonaire. 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 Bonaire?
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.
Bonaire
An island municipality of the Netherlands, Bonaire resides in the Caribbean, east of Central America and north of Venezuela. It is a part of the ABC Islands together with Aruba and Curaçao, and is best known as a tropical vacation destination with many great dive spots, beaches, lagoons, and wildlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
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Bilbao Prices
Spain PricesBonaire Prices
Caribbean Netherlands Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBilbao $194Bonaire $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is $194, while the average daily cost in Bonaire is $299. 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 Bilbao and Bonaire in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBilbao $83Bonaire $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBilbao $166Bonaire $310
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Bonaire
Looking for a hotel in Bilbao or Bonaire? 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: Bilbao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bilbao $30Bonaire $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Bilbao Airport Private Departure Transfer: $51
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $65
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $68
- Private Transfer from Bilbao Cruise Port to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $90
- Private Transfer from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao Cruise Port: $90
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Vitoria Airport: $95
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Luxury Van: $109
- Departure Private Transfer from Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO by Luxury Van: $109
- Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $130
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Bilbao Airport: $173
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Bilbao city: $173
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao: $173
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonaire
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bonaire:
- Airport Transfer Return Included: $80
- Private Transfers between Bonaire airport and any local address: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Bonaire?
Prices for flights to both Bonaire 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
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Food Meals for one dayBilbao $88Bonaire $101
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Bilbao Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $86
- Bilbao Authentic Food Tour with 9 Pintxos and Local Drinks: $111
- Traditional Basque Pintxos Cooking Class in Bilbao: $114
- The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $120
- Paella and Burnt Basque Cheesecake Cooking Class in Bilbao: $143
- Gourmet Pintxos & Premium Wines small groups Food Tour: $206
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bonaire
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bonaire.
- Dinner at Sea: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bilbao $33Bonaire $40
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Free walking Tour Historical Bilbao with local guides: $3.42
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour: The True Story of the Bilbao Effect: $5.48
- Guggenheim Bilbao Museum Entry Ticket: $32
- Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Entry Ticket: $34
- Bilbao Old Town Tour: $34
- Spanish Tour in Bilbao Old Town and Santiago Cathedral: $34
- Bilbao Historic Walking Tour in Small Group: $34
- Private Kayak Tour along the Getxo Coast and Hanging Bridge: $38
- Bilbao Exclusive Private Walking Tour: $40
- Bilbao walking tour: $40
- Semi-private Bilbao Bike Tour: $45
- Tour to the French Basque Country Biarritz Bayonne and San Juan de Luz: $51
Tours and Activities in Bonaire
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bonaire are as follows:
- Semi Submarine Boat Experience to Klein Bonaire: $33
- Walking Tours & Private Tours on Bonaire: $36
- 4 Hours Open Air Party Bus Tour with Beach Stop in Caribbean: $39
- Half-Day Bonaire Island Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: $46
- Bonaire Essentials Island Tour: $49
- Walking Tour with Lunch & Ice Cream: $55
- Clearbottom Mangrove Kayak & Snorkel tour: $59
- Highlights of Bonaire & Cultural Experience: $59
- Tour in North and South Bonaire Guided: $63
- Small-Group Guided North & South Tour of Bonaire with Pick Up: $65
- Explore North & South Tour: $65
- Indian Inscriptions Tour with Local Guide: $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBilbao $24Bonaire $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Rioja & Txakoli Wine Tasting in Bilbao with a Local Sommelier: $57
- Vizcaya Bridge, Gaztelugatxe and wine tasting from Bilbao: $86
- The Authentic Bilbao Pintxos, Food & Wine Tour with a Local: $113
- Basque Best Bites - #1 Food & Wine tour of Bilbao: $114
- Txakoli wine tour from Bilbao: $189
- Private Basque Vineyard Visit: Txakoli Wine Tasting from Bilbao: $200
- Architectural Rioja Wine Tour: Marqués de Riscal & Ysios (Bilbao): $286
- La Rioja wine tour: winery and traditional lunch from Bilbao: $286
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Bonaire, we can see that Bonaire is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe and Bonaire is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bilbao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bilbao 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 Bonaire would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonaire than you might in Bilbao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bilbao Expensive? and Is Bonaire Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Bonaire?
Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bonaire. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Bonaire, 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.