A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Madrid vs. Cordoba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Madrid or Cordoba?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Madrid and Cordoba 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: Madrid or Cordoba?

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.

Cordoba

Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province and the second largest city in all of Argentina. The city is in a beautiful setting surrounded by valleys and hills. Within the city you will find many colonial buildings and beautiful architecture. Cordoba also has many universities and scientific institutes, giving it the nickname "La Docta." Because of the large number of students, Cordoba's population is young and active, which keeps the atmosphere light and fun.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Cordoba or Madrid?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Madrid is €136, while the average daily cost in Cordoba is €7.84. 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 Madrid and Cordoba in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Madrid 77
    Cordoba 2.85
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Madrid 154
    Cordoba 5.70
Compare Hotels in Madrid and Cordoba

Looking for a hotel in Madrid or Cordoba? 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.

Hotels in Madrid


Hotels in Cordoba


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 and Cordoba Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Madrid 19
    Cordoba 1.94
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Segovia: Full-Day Tour with Transfer to and from Madrid: $456
  • Private Transfer from Caravaca De La Cruz to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $293
  • From Hot Air Balloon over Segovia with Transfer: $266
  • Private Transfer from Isla Plana to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $266
  • Private Transfer from Bolnuevo to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $256
  • Balloon Ride with Transfer Option from Madrid City: $239
  • Arrival Private Transfer Madrid Airport MAD to Avila City by Business Car: $231
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Madrid Airport MAD to Segovia City by Minivan: $225
  • Private Transfer from Corvera Golf Resort to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $220
  • Private Transfer from Vergel to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $211
  • Private Transfer from Hacienda de Alamo Golf to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $201
  • Private Transfer from Mar Menor Golf Village to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $192

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cordoba

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cordoba are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    0.01

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cordoba

Also for Cordoba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer in private minivan from Cordoba to Ingeniero Ambrosio Taravella Airport: $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Madrid or Cordoba?

Prices for flights to both Cordoba and Madrid 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 day
    Madrid 34
    Cordoba 3.58
Typical Food Prices in Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    2.00
  • Ice Cream
    3.00
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    16
  • Croissant
    1.50
  • 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:

  • Tipsy Tapas Food Tour with Drinks and Food: $28
  • Drunken Tapas Food Tour with Dinner in Madrid: $33
  • Tapas Dinner Party Food Tour with Guide: $34
  • Tapas Crawl Food Tour with 6 Tapas and 4 Drinks: $36
  • Paella and Sangria Workshop with Dinner and Drinks: $37
  • Madrid Tipsy Tapas Guided Food Tour with Dinner: $42
  • San Miguel Market and Street Food Tour: $42
  • Madrid Tapas Dinner Party with Guide: $43
  • Skip the Line: Flamenco Show with Dinner and Workshop in Madrid Ticket: $50
  • Corral de la Moreria Madrid Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $55
  • The Authentic Morning Madrid's Food Tour: $60
  • Opera and Zarzuela Show and Dinner: $62

Typical Food Prices in Cordoba

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cordoba:


  • Empanadas
    0.01
  • Sandwich
    0.00
  • Ice Cream
    0.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Madrid 34
    Cordoba 1.75

Tours and Activities in Madrid

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.

  • Madrid Tour and Guided Visit Royal Palace: $77
  • Private Combo Tour Prado Museum and Reina Sofia: $223
  • Skip the Line Guided Tour Royal Palace Madrid: $73
  • >Tour through Toledo, Mills and La Mancha winery with Lunch.: $219
  • 1 hour tour in Madrid in Tuk Tuk through the best of the city: $121
  • 1-Hour Madrid Segway Tour: $32
  • 1-Hour Private Flamenco Class in Madrid Experience: $45
  • 2-Hour Patisserie Experience for Dessert Lovers: $61
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour through the Beautiful Streets of Madrid: $49
  • 2-Hour Tour of the Madrid of Mysteries: $14
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour on the History of Islamic Medieval the origins: $38
  • 2.5-Hour Evening Tapas Tour through Madrid: $38

Tours and Activities in Cordoba

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cordoba.

  • Alta Gracia: Unveiling Cordoba's Cultural Heritage Tour: $50
  • Córdoba CityTour FULLDAY x 2 pax: $60
  • Córdoba: Villa Carlos Paz Tour: $59
  • Caroya WineTour x 2 Pax: $60
  • Cordoba City Tour: $50
  • Cordoba City Tour with Optional Jesuitic Square: $62
  • Cordoba Cumbrecita Tour with Spanish Speaking Guide: $88
  • Cordoba Jesuit Legacy Tour: $87
  • Cumbrecita Tour: $88
  • El Inicio WineTour x 2 Pax (History and Wines): $85
  • Exploring Villa Carlos Paz: Guided Sightseeing Tour: $50
  • Full Day Jesuit Legacy Tour from Cordoba: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Madrid 20
    Cordoba 1.38
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    5.00
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    13

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Pub Crawl with Tapas and VIP Club Entry: $9.77
  • Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $11
  • Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
  • Pub crawl & Party Tour Madrid: $14
  • Pub Crawl Madrid Running since 2005 Bar Exploration: $16
  • Guided Pub Crawl Madrid Experience and Club Entry: $16
  • Pub Crawl Madrid: $19
  • Madrid's Live Music Bar Crawl: $21
  • Pub Crawl Madrid: $22
  • Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $22
  • Wine Tasting Experience with 4 Spanish Wines: $26
  • Wine Tasting Experience: $50

Sample the Local Flavors in Cordoba

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cordoba:

  • Wine Tour Privado - Colonia Caroya: $120
  • Full-Day Private Colonia Caroya Wine Tour from Córdoba: $121
  • Wine Tour Privado - Calamuchita: $140


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Madrid and Cordoba, we can see that Madrid is more expensive. And not only is Cordoba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Madrid is in Europe and Cordoba is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cordoba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cordoba 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid than you might in Cordoba.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Madrid Expensive? and Is Cordoba Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Madrid or Cordoba?

Madrid has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cordoba. When comparing the sizes of Madrid and Cordoba, 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.