Should you visit Zurich or Barcelona?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Zurich and Barcelona. 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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $214, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is $145. 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 Zurich and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $270 for a double occupancy room in Zurich.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Barcelona is $176. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
Zurich food costs typically run travelers around $50 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
The price of a meal in Barcelona can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $32 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $13 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Zurich $50
Barcelona $32
Typical Food prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
-
Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner:
$154
-
Overnight Mount Titlis including 4-course dinner:
$545
Typical Food prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Hot Cocoa & Churro
$4.92
-
Sandwich
$2.02
-
Baguette & Horchata
$4.51
-
Tapas on the beach
$9.83
-
Gelatto
$2.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
-
Live from Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Live from Barcelona to China: Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Barcelona organic dinner in a beautiful rooftop garden:
$35
-
Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona:
$49
-
Hands-on Brunch Cooking Class with Bottomless Mimosas!:
$50
-
Born district food tour and tasting in Barcelona:
$51
-
Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide:
$52
-
Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert:
$52
-
Flamenco Show and Optional Dinner at a Tablao:
$52
-
Bus and Walking Tour with Dinner:
$58
-
Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit:
$59
-
Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket:
$62
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Zurich is $29 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 cost of a taxi ride in Barcelona is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $18 per person, per day, on local transportation in Barcelona.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Train Station to Zurich City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Train Station:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Train Station to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Transfer from Zurich City Centre to Train Station:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Zurich Airport ZRH:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Zurich Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Davos Private Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Davos:
$9.41
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Zurich Airport to Hotel:
$31
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Zurich Airport:
$31
-
Private Arrival Transfer from ZRH Zurich Airport to Zurich City:
$39
-
Private Departure Transfer from Zurich City to ZRH Zurich Airport:
$39
-
Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Zurich Airport:
$39
Typical Local Transportation prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
10 Trip Metro Ticket
$9.26
-
Airport Bus
$5.93
-
Metro
$2.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
-
Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Cruise Port to City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Barcelona Cruise Port:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Barcelona Private Airport Transfer city centre to El Prat Airport BCN:
$9.41
-
Airport Transfers:
$20
-
From Luxury Transfers to La Roca Village:
$24
-
Private Departure Transfer from Barcelona City Center to El-Prat Airport (BCN):
$24
-
Private Transfer from Barcelona City to Barcelona Airport:
$27
-
Barcelona Airport Transfers:
$27
-
Barcelona Airport Transfer:
$28
-
Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Cruise Terminal:
$29
-
Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Cruise Terminal:
$29
-
Barcelona Departure Private Transfers from Barcelona City to Barcelona Airport:
$29
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Zurich 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
Zurich's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $29 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.
Entertainment and activities in Barcelona typically cost an average of $32 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
-
Zurich Private Tour: Albert Einstein Old Town Exploration Game:
$7.45
-
Historical Zürich: An audio tour through the city of a thousand fountains:
$9.99
-
Museum Rietberg Zurich Entrance Ticket:
$21
-
Zurich Old Town Walking Tour:
$30
-
Shopping and History Tour of Zurich:
$30
-
Zürich Historic District Tour:
$30
-
Swiss Chocolate Walking Tour of Zurich:
$36
-
Zurich City Tour Experience:
$40
-
Zurich Highlights Tour:
$40
-
Zurich Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$45
-
Private Tuk-Tuk City Tour:
$49
-
The Best of Zurich Including Panoramic Views in a Small Group Walking Tour:
$58
Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
-
A Culinary Audio Tour of El Born by VoiceMap:
$5.50
-
Museu de la Xocolata Tickets:
$7.16
-
Private Barcelona Ghost Tour: Gothic Quarter Exploration Game:
$7.45
-
Museu de la Xocolata Admission Ticket:
$7.46
-
Gaudi House Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$8.95
-
Barcelona Port Traditional Boat Tour:
$9.16
-
Guided Tour of Requesens Palace:
$9.54
-
Guided Tour of Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences & Arts:
$9.54
-
Skip the Line: History Museum of Catalonia & Rooftop Access Ticket:
$9.95
-
Skip the Line: Human Bodies - Entrance to the exhibition Ticket:
$9.95
-
Skip the Line: Erotic Museum of Barcelona Admission Ticket with free souvenir:
$9.95
-
Guided Tour at Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts:
$10
Alcohol
The average person spends about $24 on alcoholic beverages in Zurich per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $16 on alcoholic beverages in Barcelona per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
-
Columbus Monument with Optional Wine Tasting:
$7.16
-
Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting:
$9.54
-
Backpacker Pub Crawl:
$18
-
The Original Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Barcelona Halloween Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Generation Pub Crawl in Barcelona:
$19
-
Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$20
-
Barcelona Wine Tasting: Catalan and Spanish Wines:
$21
-
Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona:
$22
-
Opera Samfaina: Food and Wine Tasting Interactive Experience in Barcelona:
$26
-
Wine tasting & tapas:
$39
-
Barcelona Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour:
$44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Barcelona, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Barcelona.
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