Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Gran Canaria?
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 Gran Canaria or Madrid?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gran Canaria or Madrid? 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: Gran Canaria or Madrid?
Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, The Best Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.
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Gran Canaria Prices
Spain PricesMadrid Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGran Canaria €150Madrid €162
The average daily cost (per person) in Gran Canaria is €150, while the average daily cost in Madrid is €162. 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 Gran Canaria and Madrid in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGran Canaria €63Madrid €78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGran Canaria €126Madrid €156
Compare Hotels in Gran Canaria and Madrid
Looking for a hotel in Gran Canaria or Madrid? 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: Madrid Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gran Canaria €46Madrid €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gran Canaria
Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Stand Up Paddle and Snorkeling Tour of Gran Canaria with Transfers south area: $227
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Fataga to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $210
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Amadores to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $202
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Gáldar to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $199
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Firgas: $182
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Tauro: $177
- From Playa del Inglés: Guided Jet Ski Tour & Hotel Transfers: $175
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to El Salobre: $169
- Gran Canaria Tandem Paragliding with transfer included: $163
- Maspalomas: Jet Ski Tour with Hotel Transfer: $151
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Puerto de la Luz: $150
- Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Las Palmas airport (LPA) to Tarajalillo: $150
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Moratalla to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $273
- Private Transfer from Bolnuevo to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer from La Manga strip dos Mares to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $237
- Private Transfer to Toledo or Segovia from Madrid: $233
- Private Transfer from La Manga Club to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $227
- Private Transfer from Corvera Golf Resort to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $218
- Private Shuttle Transfer from City Centre to Airport: $210
- Shuttle Transfer Arrivals: Madrid Airport to City Center: $210
- Private Transfer from Cieza to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $205
- Private Transfer from El Verger to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $191
- Madrid Airport MAD Round-Trip Private Transfer in Luxury Van: $187
- Private Transfer from La Torre Golf to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $182
Is it cheaper to fly into Gran Canaria or Madrid?
Prices for flights to both Madrid and Gran Canaria 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 dayGran Canaria €59Madrid €59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gran Canaria
For Gran Canaria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- MHT Comedy Drag Dinner Show & 3-Course Meal: $69
- Origen Dinner Show at Sala Scala: $72
- Food Tour with Distillery Visit & Lunch: $99
- Sala Scala Gran Canaria Dinner Show: $107
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee€2.00
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Ice Cream€3.00
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Kebabs (for 2)€16
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Croissant€1.50
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)€16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Corral de la Moreria Madrid Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $58
- Madrid Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local: $63
- Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $64
- Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $69
- Spanish Tapas Experience and Sangría Showcooking in Madrid: $76
- Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid: $76
- Traditional Cooking Class of Sardines with Dish Auction in Madrid: $80
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $90
- Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $93
- Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $99
- Madrid Food Tour in a Neighborhood Market with Churros: $104
- Madrid Local's Tapas Tour Dinner with a side of History: $111
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gran Canaria €20Madrid €33
Tours and Activities in Gran Canaria
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.
- "Gran Canaria Can-Am Adventure: Monte León to Fataga": $146
- 1 hour relaxing horse riding tour in Gran Canaria: $41
- 2 hours Green Mountains Horse Riding Tour: $79
- 2-Hour Afternoon Snorkeling Experience in Gran Canaria by Boat: $52
- 2-Hour Segway Tour: Maspalomas Dunes, Playa Ingles,S.Agustin: $69
- 3 Wheel Motorcycle like Quad/Buggy Tour Gran Canaria (Maspalomas): $87
- 3 wheels motorcycle Coast Tour - Ryker - Gran Canaria Maspalomas: $175
- 4 Hour Boat Tour with Snorkeling from Puerto Rico and Mogan: $88
- Adventure in Quad ATV: $139
- Aerial Yoga Experience in Maspalomas, Spain: $41
- Afrikat Afternoon Cruise: $90
- Afrikat Morning Cruise: $90
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- 2 Days Guided Cultural Tour in Madrid Royal Palace and 3 Museums: $222
- 2 Hour Madrid City Expert Tour: $197
- 2 in 1 Madrid Art Tour Prado and Reina Sofia Museums: $80
- 2-Hour Patisserie Experience for Dessert Lovers: $117
- 3 Hour Private Bike Tour in Madrid with a Guide: $175
- 3-hour experience on the Redován K2 Family Via Ferrata: $49
- 30 Minutes of Jet Ski Adventure on the Coast of Alicante: $106
- 3h Prado Museum Private Tour Skip the Line & Hotel Pick-up: $208
- 3in1 Tour: Try Madrid Best Churros, Tapas & Market by FLT: $80
- A day in the life of Madrid - Private tour with a local: $253
- A local's A self-guided audio tour: $9.99
- Alcalá de Henares Private Tour from Madrid: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGran Canaria €7.14Madrid €19
Sample the Local Flavors in Gran Canaria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gran Canaria:
- Guided Tour at Ron Arehucas Distillery: $13
- Painting and textures workshop with volcanic wine tasting: $47
- Las Palmas: Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour in the Old Town: $52
- Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $64
- Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $69
- Gran Canaria flavours with distillery visit and tastings: $78
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer€5.00
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)€13
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $12
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Madrid Pub Crawl: Open Bar, Shots & VIP Entry (Shoko & Fitz): $14
- Top Pub Crawl Madrid & Party: $17
- Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: Bars, Shots and Club Entry: $20
- Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $29
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $54
- Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $57
- New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $80
- Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
- Toledo Full Day with Winery Visit, Tapas and Wine Tasting: $92
When comparing the travel costs between Gran Canaria and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gran Canaria Expensive? and Is Madrid Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gran Canaria or Madrid?
Madrid has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Gran Canaria. When comparing the sizes of Gran Canaria and Madrid, 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.