Which place is cheaper, Basque Country or La Rioja?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Rioja or Basque Country?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit La Rioja or Basque Country? 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: La Rioja or Basque Country?
La Rioja
La Rioja is an area in northern Spain located in the Iberia peninsula. It is not as commonly known as some of the bigger cities, but it is a great place to visit. The area has more than 500 wineries, and though the area may not be well known as a tourist location, the name is often recognizable for its quality wine. La Rioja is full of natural beauty and Spanish culture. Because it is not as touristy as some of the larger areas of Spain, you are more likely to get a more genuine idea of real Spanish life and culture by visiting this region. The La Rioja area is nestled between cities like Burgos, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona and Zaragoza, so you are never far from the more popular northern cities.
Basque Country
Upon its lush green hills that tower over the deep blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean, you will find its perfected oceanic climate and breathtaking landscape to be only the beginning of Basque Country, Spain. Basque Country, or Euskadi, is an autonomous community located in northern Spain. This community was based off the Statute of Autonomy of the Basque Country, a legal document that enabled Basque people to develop on Spanish territory. Due to its strong traditional currents in Spanish heritage as well as magnificent architecture, Basque Country is a hotspot for tourists everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Rioja €0.00Basque Country €119
The average daily cost (per person) in La Rioja is €0.00, while the average daily cost in Basque Country is €119. 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 La Rioja and Basque Country in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Rioja -Basque Country €57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Rioja €0.00Basque Country €114
Compare Hotels in La Rioja and Basque Country
Looking for a hotel in La Rioja or Basque Country? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Rioja -Basque Country €26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basque Country
Also for Basque Country, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer San Sebastian to Bilbao or San Sebastian Airports by Van: $92
- San Sebastian Private Departure Transfer: $47
- San Sebastian Private Arrival Transfer: $47
- San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $273
- Private transfer from Bilbao City Center to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $33
- Private transfer from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City Center: $33
- Private one way arrival OR departure transfer in Bilbao from/to airport: $66
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Logroño: $243
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Elciego town: $197
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao Cruise Port: $207
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Vitoria Airport : $84
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to San Sebastian Airport: $290
Is it cheaper to fly into La Rioja or Basque Country?
Prices for flights to both Basque Country and La Rioja 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 dayLa Rioja -Basque Country €38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Basque Country
For Basque Country, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- San Sebastian Walking and Food Tour: $104
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $108
- Insider Best Culinary Gems Guided Food Tour in San Sebastian: $108
- San Sebastian Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $114
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $115
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
- San Sebastian Like A Local: Centro Neighborhood Guided Food Tour: $119
- Basque Flavours: High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
- Pintxos cooking class from the classics to modern pintxos: $131
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
- Basque cuisine cooking class: $142
- Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $147
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Rioja -Basque Country €30
Tours and Activities in La Rioja
For La Rioja, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Tour to 3 Wineries with Tastings: $802
- Private Vineyards Tour in San Vicente de la Sonsierra: $93
Tours and Activities in Basque Country
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Basque Country.
- PRIVATE San Sebastian and Basque Coast Tour from Bilbao: $289
- Pamplona City Tour from San Sebastian: $93
- Pintxos Tasting in Bilbao Small Group or Private Walking Tour: $80
- Private Tour San Sebastian & Getaria Fishing Village From Bilbao: $293
- " Basque Farm House & Cider house" tour + meal from San Sebastian: $100
- "A la Vasca" - Top Notch Gastro Cultural Experience: $191
- "Basque Cider House" guided tour + meal from San Sebastian: $82
- "Basque Whaleship & Cider House" tour + meal from San Sebastian : $100
- 2 Hours Private Family Guided Walking Tour in Bilbao: $196
- 3-day Bilbao Bike Tour and Guggenheim Museum Ticket: $256
- 3-day Bilbao Pinxos Experience with Guggenheim Museum Ticket : $265
- Basque Coast Road Bike Tour: $108
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Rioja -Basque Country €20
Sample the Local Flavors in La Rioja
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in La Rioja:
- Private Wine Tasting in San Vicente de la Sonsierra: $60
- Rioja: Private Wine Tasting Tour: $421
Sample the Local Flavors in Basque Country
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Basque Country:
- Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening): $141
- Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $147
- Basque Vineyard Visit: Txakoli Wine Tasting & Pintxos from Bilbao: $147
- Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $147
- Private Half Day Txakoli Wine Tour & Getaria Fishing Village: $180
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $180
- Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $191
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $239
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $245
- Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao : $245
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Vitoria: $249
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Rioja and Basque Country, we can see that Basque Country is more expensive. And not only is La Rioja much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to La Rioja would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Rioja 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 Basque Country would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basque Country than you might in La Rioja.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Rioja Expensive? and Is Basque Country Expensive?.
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.