Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Madeira Islands?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Madeira Islands or Barcelona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Madeira Islands and Barcelona can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Madeira Islands or Barcelona?
Madeira Islands
Madeira, Portugal is an archipelago consisting of four islands, each covered with lush vegetation and mountainous landscapes. Madeira is famous for its fresh fish and namesake Madeira wine, which can be found throughout the main island. This area is the perfect blend of relaxing beaches and thrill-inducing activities such as paragliding and mountain biking. Portuguese is the main language here, although English is spoken widely by those in the tourism industry.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMadeira Islands €95Barcelona €156
The average daily cost (per person) in Madeira Islands is €95, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €156. 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 Madeira Islands and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMadeira Islands €52Barcelona €96
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMadeira Islands €104Barcelona €192
Compare Hotels in Madeira Islands and Barcelona
Looking for a hotel in Madeira Islands or Barcelona? 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: Madeira Islands Hotel Prices and Barcelona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Madeira Islands €9.87Barcelona €19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
10 Trip Metro Ticket€7.80
-
Airport Bus€5.00
-
Metro€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $285
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Barcelona APT-HTL (BCN): $55
- Transfers From Cruise Port to Barcelona Airport: $37
- 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 to Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona: $27
- 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 cruise port to barcelona sants station : $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Madeira Islands or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Madeira Islands 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMadeira Islands €33Barcelona €33
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Hot Cocoa & Churro€4.15
-
Sandwich€1.70
-
Baguette & Horchata€3.80
-
Tapas on the beach€8.28
-
Gelatto€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
- Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
- Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Barcelona La Barceloneta Tapas Food Tour: $38
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
- Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $56
- Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Madeira Islands €15Barcelona €33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass€42
-
Souvenir Gaudi Book€8.55
-
Admission to Museo Picasso€6.00
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- 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
- Montserrat Mountains Half - Day Private Tour - From Barcelona : $261
- Private Guides Barcelona Tour with Skip The Line in Cathedral: $217
- Private Mountain Bike Tour in Barcelona: $33
- Sagrada Familia "Fast Track" Guided Tour in Barcelona: $106
- Sagrada Familia Bike Tour in Small Group: $86
- Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour: $3.26
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Gothic Quarter: $10
- Skip The Line - Early Picasso Museum and Born Neighborhood: $56
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMadeira Islands €16Barcelona €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - Bar & Nightclub Hopping Tour: $14
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
- Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
- Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $16
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
- Barcelona Weekend Pub Crawl with 1.5 hour open bar@Hostel: $27
- Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29
- Barcelona Art & Wine Tour: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Madeira Islands and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Madeira Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Madeira Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Madeira Islands 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Madeira Islands.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Madeira Islands Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Madeira Islands or Barcelona?
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Madeira Islands. When comparing the sizes of Madeira Islands and Barcelona, 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.