Which place is cheaper, Puerto del Carmen or Pamplona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen? 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: Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen?
Pamplona
Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.
Puerto del Carmen
Located on the south-eastern coast of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Puerto del Carmen is a popular resort area best known for its high concentration of bars, pubs, restaurants, and clubs. By day, visitors frequent the beaches for swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, and other watersports - and by night, they flock to enjoy the live music and drinks of the area's thriving nightlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPamplona €131Puerto del Carmen €173
The average daily cost (per person) in Pamplona is €131, while the average daily cost in Puerto del Carmen is €173. 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 Pamplona and Puerto del Carmen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPamplona €67Puerto del Carmen €98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPamplona €134Puerto del Carmen €196
Compare Hotels in Pamplona and Puerto del Carmen
Looking for a hotel in Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen? 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: Pamplona Hotel Prices and Puerto del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pamplona €24Puerto del Carmen €39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamplona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian Airport: $244
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian: $244
- Private Transfer from Pamplona Airport to Laguardia town: $282
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto del Carmen
Also for Puerto del Carmen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lanzarote : Parasailing activity with hotel transfer: $102
Is it cheaper to fly into Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen?
Prices for flights to both Puerto del Carmen and Pamplona 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 dayPamplona €41Puerto del Carmen €51
Typical Food Prices in Pamplona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pamplona are as follows:
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Lunch for 2€10
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Ice Cream€4.50
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Coffee€1.30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pamplona €34Puerto del Carmen €17
Tours and Activities in Pamplona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:
- Biarritz and French Basque coast small group tour, lunch included: $260
- Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $218
- From San Sebastian: Pamplona City Tour: $91
- Logroño historic&cultural guided walking tour: $32
- Pamplona - Private Historic Walking Tour: $427
- Pamplona Private Tour with Castle of Javier : $240
- Pamplona pintxo tasting paired with Spanish wines small group tour: $72
- Private City Tour Pamplona: $174
- Private tour of Fuenterrabia and San Sebastian.: $283
- Private tour of Getaria, Zumaia, Zarautz and Orio. : $204
- Private tour of Lourdes and the three sacred temples: $240
- Private tour of the jewels of Bilbao, with Guggenheim and pintxos tasting. : $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPamplona €31Puerto del Carmen €60
Sample the Local Flavors in Pamplona
Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half Day Rioja Wine Tour: $218
- Wine tour of La Rioja, with two winery visits, and La Guardia. : $221
- Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Logroño: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Pamplona: $240
- Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Logroño: $251
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Pamplona: $251
- Rioja Wine Tour: $283
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pamplona and Puerto del Carmen, we can see that Puerto del Carmen is more expensive. And not only is Pamplona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pamplona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pamplona 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 Puerto del Carmen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto del Carmen than you might in Pamplona.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pamplona Expensive? and Is Puerto del Carmen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pamplona or Puerto del Carmen?
Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Puerto del Carmen. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona and Puerto del Carmen, 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.