Which place is cheaper, Bilbao or Braga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Braga or Bilbao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Braga or Bilbao? 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: Braga or Bilbao?
Braga
Located in the Cavado Valley of Northern Portugal, Braga is a medium sized city with both historical and modern characteristics. There is a university in town, known as Universidade do Minho, which gives the city a young feel with a lot of life. There are also many bars, clubs, and activities around to keep you entertained.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Porto, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBraga €112Bilbao €137
The average daily cost (per person) in Braga is €112, while the average daily cost in Bilbao is €137. 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 Braga and Bilbao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBraga €54Bilbao €72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBraga €108Bilbao €144
Compare Hotels in Braga and Bilbao
Looking for a hotel in Braga or Bilbao? 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: Braga Hotel Prices and Bilbao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Braga €20Bilbao €26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Braga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Braga:
- Braga Private Transfer:To/From the Oporto Airport: $102
- Traditional Vinho Verde Tour in Bowl with Private Transfer (Porto and Braga): $131
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Private One way Airport Transfer Bilbao Airport to from Bilbao: $33
- Private transfer from Bilbao City Center to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $33
- Private transfer from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City Center: $33
- Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $45
- Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
- Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
- Private one way arrival OR departure transfer in Bilbao from/to airport: $67
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $70
- Private Transfer on arrival and departure in Bilbao: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Braga or Bilbao?
Prices for flights to both Bilbao and Braga 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 dayBraga €40Bilbao €45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Braga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Braga.
- Small-Group Braga Food Tour With A Local Guide: $84
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: $112
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
- Basque Flavours: High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $134
- Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $134
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
- Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $155
- Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $197
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Braga €16Bilbao €29
Tours and Activities in Braga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Braga are as follows:
- Casa dos Coimbras ( Chapel and Tower ) ticket & drink: $5.35
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
- Braga Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tourer Hunt: $7.82
- Tuk Tuk City Tour: $16
- Bravaes Kayak Park Private Adventure: $38
- Small-Group Braga Half-Day Tour with Bom Jesus: $42
- Small-Group Braga Half-Day Tour with Bom Jesus: $43
- Guimarães Old Town Private Walking Tour: $54
- KAYAK TOUR I Descent of the River Lima in Kayak: $55
- Stand Up Paddle Tour: $55
- Lagoons and Waterfalls Tour - Serra do Soajo: $60
- Tour Soajo - Peneda-Gerês National Park: $60
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $4.28
- Bilbao Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.48
- VITORIA DE LEGEND night tour: $11
- Bilbao Confidential Tour: Industrialists and Bourgeois: $13
- 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $15
- Tour of the Great Villas in Getxo and Hanging Bridge: $16
- Bilbao tour: $17
- San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $18
- Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $20
- Bilbao Historical Small Group Tour : $28
- Walking tour of Bilbao with pintxo and drink: $31
- Private Kayak Tour along the Getxo Coast and Hanging Bridge: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBraga €21Bilbao €21
Sample the Local Flavors in Braga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Braga:
- Wine Tasting & Lunch | Quinta de Santa Cristina Vinho Verde: $50
- Green Wine Region-Small Group Tour with Lunch and Wine Tastings, from Porto city: $142
- Douro Valley Private Tour from Lunch & Wine Tour: $288
- Vinho Verde Private Wine Tour: $535
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: $79
- Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $80
- Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $148
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $176
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $187
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $240
- From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $241
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $246
- Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao : $246
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Braga and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Braga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Braga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Braga 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 Braga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Braga Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Braga or Bilbao?
Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Braga. When comparing the sizes of Braga and Bilbao, 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 Braga or Bilbao?
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 Braga or Bilbao in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Braga and Bilbao. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Braga is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 21°C (69°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In Braga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Braga usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Braga gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Braga usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Braga gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBraga 21°C (69°F)Bilbao 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Braga or Bilbao in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Braga as well as Bilbao. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.
Braga is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Braga averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
In the autumn, Braga often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Braga gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Braga receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Braga usually gets more rain in October than Bilbao. Braga gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBraga 17°C (62°F)Bilbao 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Braga or Bilbao in the Winter?
Both Bilbao and Braga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene.
In the winter, Braga is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Braga in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Braga usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Braga gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. It's quite rainy in Braga. In January, Braga usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Braga gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBraga 10°C (50°F)Bilbao 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Braga or Bilbao in the Spring?
Both Bilbao and Braga during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Braga is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 14°C (56°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in Braga. In the spring, Braga often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Braga gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.
Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Braga. Braga usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Braga gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBraga 14°C (56°F)Bilbao 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Bilbao and Braga
| Braga | Bilbao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 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.