Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Bilbao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bilbao or Cartagena?
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 Cartagena. 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 Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBilbao €137Cartagena €44
The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €137, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €44. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBilbao €72Cartagena €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBilbao €144Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Bilbao or Cartagena? 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 and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bilbao €26Cartagena €6.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Luxury Van: $80
- Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $45
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Pamplona: $420
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to San Sebastian: $318
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Santander: $318
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Vitoria-Gasteiz: $210
- Bilbao Airport to the Basque Country: Private Transfers: $91
- Bilbao city to Bilbao Airport (BIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Departure Private Transfer from Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO by Luxury Van: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Private Transfer from Bocagrande to Port of Cartagena: $25
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- 18.Transfer (Rafael N-Hotel Decameron Baru Airport) or vice versa: $90
- 2. Transfer from the Airport to the Cartagena Hotel (or vice versa): $29
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Airport Hotel Transfer: $19
- Airport Transfer - Hotel Cartagena: $23
- Airport Transfer Hotel: $35
- Airport Transfers Cartagena: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer Cartagena Airport CTG to Cartagena City by Minivan: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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 €45Cartagena €9.13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Basque Food Tour with Guide: $86
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $102
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $109
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $113
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $115
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
- The High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $135
- Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $135
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
- Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $156
- Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $198
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bilbao €29Cartagena €20
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bilbao´s Old Town Responsible Free Walking Tour: $1.94
- Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $4.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Panoramic boat tour through the bay of Abra: $6.46
- Bilbao Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.52
- VITORIA DE LEGEND night tour: $11
- Bilbao Confidential Tour: Crime and Punishment: $13
- 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $15
- Tour of the Great Villas in Getxo and Hanging Bridge: $16
- Bilbao tour: $18
- San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $18
- Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $20
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBilbao €21Cartagena €8.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Bilbao: $25
- Immersive Evening Spanish Wine Tasting w/ Sommelier: $53
- Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $54
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $80
- Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $81
- Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $148
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $178
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $188
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Bilbao: $201
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $217
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $241
- From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $242
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Cartagena, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bilbao Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and Cartagena, 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.
When is the best time to visit Bilbao or Cartagena?
Bilbao has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bilbao or Cartagena in the Summer?
Both Cartagena and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bilbao is cooler than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBilbao 20°C (68°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Bilbao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In the autumn, Bilbao is much colder than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bilbao in October average around 16°C (62°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
Cartagena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBilbao 16°C (62°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Cartagena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Cartagena. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene during these months. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Bilbao is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 9°C (48°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBilbao 9°C (48°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Cartagena. The spring months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Bilbao is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBilbao 12°C (54°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Bilbao
| Bilbao | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
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.