Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Paris?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Paris or Barcelona? 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.
Paris is a bustling, energetic, and beautiful city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.
Barcelona is a historic, cultural, and friendly city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Barcelona and Paris. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Spend time exploring the sights and museums in either Paris or Barcelona.
Travelers visit Paris from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. One of the most world famous landmarks is the Eiffel Tower. The city is also home to the world renowned Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Palais Garnier Opera House.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Barcelona are among the most recognizable in the world. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music.
Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Paris and Barcelona.
For foodies, Paris is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. There are countless local restaurants, markets, and patisseries to explore. Make sure you try the steak tartare, pate, and macarons.
Barcelona has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and Jamon Iberico.
The vibe at night is comparable in Paris and Barcelona.
Paris is a must-see party destination. Head to Pigalle or the Latin Quarter for some of the city's best nightlife. There are all-night parties, cabarets, and exclusive night clubs that you can experience.
Barcelona is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.
Paris and Barcelona are both destinations where visitors can find live music.
Paris is known as a music capital around the world. Some of the most famous music venues include Le Pop In, La Mécanique Ondulatoire, and Les Disquaires.
Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Barcelona Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.
If you're looking to go shopping, Paris and Barcelona both offer plenty of spots.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in Paris. Some of the best areas for shopping are Boulevard Haussmann and the Grands Boulevards, the Marais, and Avenue Montaigne and the Champs-Elysées.
The abundance of shops in Barcelona make it a world-class shopping destination. Head to Portal De L’Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Paris or Barcelona.
Paris is a very family-friendly destination. Check out Jardin du Luxembourg, or one of the city's many playgrounds. Also grab a treat at one of the city's many patisseries. And of course, there's Disneyland Paris.
Barcelona is a very kid-friendly city. Check out the Magic Fountains Show near Plaça d’Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum. There are also many great parks and playgrounds around town.
For backpackers, both Paris and Barcelona are fairly comparable places to visit.
Many backpackers frequent Paris. It's a big city, so it's easy to get lost in the chaos, but there are many hostels and other backpacker hangouts around town.
Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers.
For students, both Paris and Barcelona are fairly comparable places to visit.
Many students frequent Paris. The city is one of the most popular destinations for international and study abroad students.
Students come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do.
Paris and Barcelona both offer public transit to get you around.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of Paris can take you anywhere. The city's metro system is very comprehensive. There's also a bus system that you can use to get around.
Barcelona has a great public transit system. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city.
Paris and Barcelona are similar when it comes to walkability.
Paris is very walkable. Some streets can feel a bit overwhelming, but there are many parts of the city that are easily explored on foot.
Barcelona is a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than some other major European cities, but there are many plazas and outdoor areas that are fun to explore on foot. The city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.
Both Paris and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Paris is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Barcelona is 3-7 days.
People visit Paris because there is so much to do. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
In Barcelona, many people enjoy the live music and food that this laid-back big city offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
People visit Paris because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
People visit Paris because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
Barcelona is a fun place to experience. In Barcelona, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this big city destination offers. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Paris is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Paris, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
In Barcelona, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this historic big city offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Paris is €184, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €123. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Paris and Barcelona in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Paris 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:
Also for Paris, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Paris 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:
For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Paris.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paris and Barcelona, we can see that Paris is more expensive. And not only is Barcelona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Barcelona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Barcelona 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris than you might in Barcelona.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Barcelona and Paris during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Paris in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Paris is cooler than Barcelona in the summer. The temperature in Paris is usually 20°C (68°F) in July, and Barcelona stays around 23°C (73°F).
In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Paris. In the summer, Paris often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Paris gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.
Paris usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Paris gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Paris and Barcelona. Most visitors come to Paris for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Paris is cooler than Barcelona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Paris in October are around 13°C (56°F), and Barcelona is about 17°C (63°F).
Paris usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Paris gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Paris usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Paris as well as Barcelona. The winter months attract visitors to Paris because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
The weather in Paris can be very cold. In January, Paris is generally much colder than Barcelona. Temperatures in Paris average around 5°C (40°F), and Barcelona stays around 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Paris often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Paris gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.
Paris usually gets more rain in January than Barcelona. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Barcelona and Paris are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Paris this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Paris is cooler than Barcelona in the spring. The temperature in Paris is usually 11°C (52°F) in April, and Barcelona stays around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Barcelona. Paris usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Paris gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Paris usually receives around the same amount of rain as Barcelona. Paris gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Paris | Barcelona | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 5°C (40°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 50 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
May | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Aug | 20°C (67°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Sep | 17°C (63°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 8°C (47°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
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