Should you visit Vigo or Bilbao?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Vigo and Bilbao. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Vigo
Originally a small fishing town, Vigo has grown to become the most populated municipality in the region of Galicia in northwestern Spain. Remnants of the old world still exist in its historic center architecture and plazas, while the commodities of a modern city have blended into its boundaries. The old center remains the hub of activity with plenty to see and do, shopping and dining included.
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
Which city is cheaper, Bilbao or Vigo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Vigo is €80, while the average daily cost in Bilbao is €110. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Vigo and Bilbao in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €70 for a double occupancy room in Vigo.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €114 for a double occupancy room in Bilbao.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Vigo cost around €28 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €11.
On average, meal and food prices in Bilbao cost around €37 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €15.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Vigo €28
Bilbao €37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
-
The authentic Bilbao food tour:
$96
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Vigo is €30 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Bilbao is €21 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vigo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vigo:
-
Private Transfer From/To Vigo Airport:
$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao:
$25
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Bilbao to Bilbao Airport (BIO):
$25
-
Arrival Private Transfer Business Car Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City:
$47
-
Departure Private Transfer Business Car Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO:
$47
-
Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer:
$48
-
Bilbao Airport Private Departure Transfer:
$48
-
Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car:
$54
-
Departure Private Transfers: Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car:
$57
-
Bilbao Private Transfer from Bilbao city centre to Bilbao Airport:
$67
-
Arrival Private Transfer Luxury Van Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City:
$67
-
Departure Private Transfer Luxury Van Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO:
$67
-
Private Transfer from Bilbao city to Bilbao Cruise Port:
$68
Is it cheaper to fly into Vigo or Bilbao?
Prices for flights to both Bilbao and Vigo 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.
Entertainment
Vigo's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €8.00 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Bilbao's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €23 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Vigo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vigo are as follows:
-
Private walking tour in Vigo:
$57
-
Vigo and Bayona Tour:
$80
-
Vigo Secrets Walking Tour:
$86
-
Vigo Shore Excursion: Small Group Santiago De Compostela Full Day Tour:
$159
-
Tuy and Baiona Private Day Tour from Vigo Port:
$345
-
Full Day Santiago de Compostela Private Tour from Vigo:
$405
-
Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña Private Tour:
$416
-
Vigo Private City Tour with Hotel or Port Pick-up:
$491
-
Santiago de Compostela Private Tour from Vigo with Hotel or Port Pick-up:
$586
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Portugalete, Getxo, & Santurtzi Panoramic Boat Tour:
$7.10
-
personalized guided tour with a local:
$50
-
Basque Coast Tour: Vizcaya Bridge, Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika:
$75
-
Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup:
$81
-
Santoña and Santander Guided Tour with Hotel Pick up from Bilbao:
$83
-
Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, Hondarribia and San Sebastian Full Day Tour:
$87
-
Full-day San Sebastian tour from Bilbao:
$89
-
Guided Pintxos Tour:
$108
-
Basque Country Full Day Tour from Bilbao:
$112
-
Getxo and Bizkaia bridge small group tour:
$124
-
Tour Bilbao in a Vintage VW "Beetle":
$185
-
Guggenheim Museum Personalized & Private Tour with Official Guide:
$198
Alcohol
The average person spends about €4.57 on alcoholic beverages in Vigo per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Bilbao may vary from person to person, on average a person spends €17 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Vigo
Also in Vigo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Albariño trails Private Wine Tour/Shore excursion from Vigo:
$266
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
La Rioja and Vitoria Wine Tour with Winery Visit:
$87
-
Cantabric Sea Experience: Food & Wine Tasting:
$199
-
La Rioja Wine Tour with Two Winery Visits with Wine Tasting from Bilbao:
$243
-
Architectural Rioja Wine Tour from Bilbao:
$287
-
San Sebastian & The Basque Wine Region with Lunch and Wine Tasting (From Bilbao):
$305
-
Essential Rioja Private Wine Tour from Bilbao:
$311
-
La Rioja Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch from Bilbao:
$383
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vigo and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Vigo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vigo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vigo 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao than you might in Vigo.
Related Articles for Vigo
Related Articles for Bilbao
