Should you visit Zaragoza or Pamplona?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Zaragoza or Pamplona, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Zaragoza
As the sun slips below the horizon, the night is greeted by the familiar glow of the exquisite cathedral Basilica del Pilar that stands above the city like a shimmering castle. This city is none other than Zaragoza, Spain, the capital city of the Zaragoza province in Aragon, Spain. Overlooking the Ebro River, Zaragoza has a population of 701,090, ranking the 32nd most populated municipality in the European Union. Zaragoza has attracted travelers from all across the world, causing the city to host the Expo in the summer of 2008 and also stand as a candidate for the European Capital of Culture in 2012. Besides its glimmering cathedral, Zaragoza is also known for its rich history in folklore, local gastronomy, as well as hosting the well-known Fiestas del Pilar, the most celebrated of festivals in Spain.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Pamplona or Zaragoza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zaragoza is €101, while the average daily cost in Pamplona is €105. 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 Zaragoza and Pamplona in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Zaragoza is about €104 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €54. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Pamplona the cost is €108 on average.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Zaragoza cost around €33 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 €13.
Food in Pamplona costs travelers about €33 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Zaragoza €33
Pamplona €33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zaragoza
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zaragoza.
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Midday Market Tour and Spanish Cooking Class:
$111
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
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €18 per day to get around in Zaragoza.
The average price of local transportation around Pamplona is €20 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 Zaragoza
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zaragoza:
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Zaragoza Air Base to Zaragoza City - One Way:
$47
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Zaragoza Private Transfer from Zaragoza Airport to City centre:
$75
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Zaragoza Private Transfer from the city centre to Zaragoza Airport:
$75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamplona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:
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Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian Airport:
$205
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Private Transfer from Pamplona city to Vitoria Airport:
$205
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Private Transfer from Pamplona city to Logroño Airport:
$205
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Private Transfer from Pamplona to Elciego town:
$205
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Private Transfer from Pamplona to Laguardia town:
$205
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Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian:
$205
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Private Transfer from Pamplona city to Vitoria:
$205
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Private Transfer from Pamplona city to Logroño:
$205
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Private Transfer from Pamplona to Biarritz city:
$239
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Private Transfer from Pamplona city to Bilbao Airport:
$287
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Private Transfer from Pamplona city to Bilbao:
$287
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Private Transfer from Pamplona to Bilbao Cruise Port:
$287
Is it cheaper to fly into Zaragoza or Pamplona?
Prices for flights to both Pamplona and Zaragoza 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
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €28 per person, per day in Zaragoza. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Pamplona's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €27 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 Zaragoza
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zaragoza are as follows:
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Zaragoza Aquarium Admission Ticket:
$17
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Private Tour with a Local Guide:
$40
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Midday market and tapas tour of Zaragoza:
$106
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Private Walking Tour of Zaragoza with official tour guide:
$248
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Zaragoza Private Walking Tour with Professional Guide:
$322
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Private City Tour of Zaragoza with driver & official tour guide w/ Hotel pick up:
$384
Tours and Activities in Pamplona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:
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Pamplona historical&cultural walking small group tour:
$40
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Pamplona Tour during Running of the Bulls Festival:
$62
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Private City Tour Pamplona:
$81
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Pamplona pintxo tasting paired with Spanish wines small group tour:
$82
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PRIVATE Pintxo Tour Premium: The best pintxos of Pamplona:
$112
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Visit Olite Royal Palace and Ujue medieval village in small group tour:
$139
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Navarra Wineries Tour:
$140
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Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum small group tour:
$233
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Vitoria and Añana salt valley small group tour lunch included:
$246
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San Sebastian and Basque Coast villages in small group tour, lunch included:
$252
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Olive oil and Navarre winery visit with tastings and lunch in small group tour:
$252
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La Rioja winery visit with tasting and traditional lunch in small group tour:
$284
Alcohol
The average person spends about €11 on alcoholic beverages in Zaragoza per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about €25 on alcoholic beverages in Pamplona per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Pamplona
Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Rioja Wine Tour:
$195
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La Rioja two wineries visit with wine tasting and pintxos in small group tour:
$246
When comparing the travel costs between Zaragoza and Pamplona, we can see that Pamplona is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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