Which place is cheaper, Catalonia or La Rioja?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Rioja or Catalonia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit La Rioja or Catalonia? 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 Catalonia?
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.
Catalonia
Catalonia is a famous autonomous community in Spain. It is situated in the northeastern part of the country and consists of four provinces. The provinces consist of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. Barcelona is not only the capital of Catalonia, but is also the biggest city in the region. Because Barcelona is such a large city and Catalonia’s long history of international trade, the area is a very popular tourist destination. Another reason for Catalonia’s success is its temperate climate. Two other reasons that make Catalonia different from other areas in Spain are, people speak Catalan, Spanish and Aranese, and its climate has both beaches and mountain ranges.
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 €0.00Catalonia €0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in La Rioja is €0.00, while the average daily cost in Catalonia is €0.00. 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 Catalonia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Rioja -Catalonia -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Rioja €0.00Catalonia €0.00
Compare Hotels in La Rioja and Catalonia
Looking for a hotel in La Rioja or Catalonia? 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 -Catalonia -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Catalonia
Also for Catalonia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $284
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Barcelona APT-HTL (BCN): $55
- Transfers from cruise port to barcelona sants station Private: $35
- Transfers From Cruise Port to Barcelona Airport: $40
- Transfers From Cruise Port to Barcelona Airport: $41
- Transfers From Barcelona Sants Train Station to Hotel bcn: $31
- Transfers From Barcelona Cruise Port to Barcelona Airport: $40
- Transfer in private vehicle from Barcelona City - Barcelona Airport (BCN): $33
- Transfer in private vehicle from Barcelona Airport (BCN) - Barcelona City: $33
- Transfer in private minivan from Barcelona City - Barcelona Airport (BCN): $49
- Transfer in private minivan from Barcelona Airport (BCN) - Barcelona City: $44
- Transfer from the Cruise Port of Tarragona to Barcelona: $230
Is it cheaper to fly into La Rioja or Catalonia?
Prices for flights to both Catalonia 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 -Catalonia -
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Catalonia
For Catalonia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit : $32
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $42
- Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
- Barcelona Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $68
- Tablao de Carmen Flamenco Show with Tasting Menu or Dinner: $74
- Guided Food Tour with Tapas and Dinner in El Born Barcelona: $75
- Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona: $75
- Barcelona Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner: $75
- Spanish Culinary Experience: Paella & Tapas Cooking Class: $82
- Taste Barcelona Like a Local: Food Tour of Gracia Neighborhood: $87
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.La Rioja -Catalonia -
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: $801
- Private Vineyards Tour in San Vicente de la Sonsierra: $92
Tours and Activities in Catalonia
For Catalonia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Barcelona Christmas Walking Tour: $29
- Cruise into Barcelona? Get the Most out of Your Visit!: $117
- Dali Museum, Besalu & Girona Tour from Barcelona by Fast Train : $120
- Girona and Costa Brava with Lunch: VIP Small Group Tour: $16
- Kids Buggy Experience in Salou: $65
- Montserrat Mountains Half - Day Private Tour - From Barcelona : $260
- Private Mountain Bike Tour in Barcelona: $33
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Gothic Quarter: $10
- Skip The Line - Early Picasso Museum and Born Neighborhood: $56
- Sunset Sailing Tour in Barcelona: $75
- Big Fun Museum Ticket: $27
- 1 Hour Private Flamenco Class in Barcelona Experience : $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Rioja -Catalonia -
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: $420
Sample the Local Flavors in Catalonia
Also in Catalonia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Visit winery and wine tasting: $13
- Barcelona: Original Pub Crawl: $13
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Free shot and VIP Entry: $16
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
- Barcelona Halloween Bar Crawl: $27
- Art, Galleries & Wine Tour: $30
- Small-Group Natural and Organic Wine Tasting near Sitges: $33
- Bar Crawl at Gaixample: $44
- Fun Wine Tasting in Barcelona with a Sommelier!: $46
- Drunken History Pub Crawl Walking Tour with 4 Drinks Included: $48
When comparing the travel costs between La Rioja and Catalonia, we can see that La Rioja 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 La Rioja Expensive? and Is Catalonia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, La Rioja or Catalonia?
Catalonia has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of La Rioja. When comparing the sizes of La Rioja and Catalonia, 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.