Is San Sebastian expensive to visit?
San Sebastian is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $129. Compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability, comparable to places like Budva and Piazza Armerina.

San Sebastian, Spain
How expensive is San Sebastian?
On average, visitors spend about $129 per day when visiting San Sebastian (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $258 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for San Sebastian here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to San Sebastian?
A weekend trip to San Sebastian costs about $387 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $774.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to San Sebastian?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to San Sebastian costs around $903 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,806.
Is it expensive to backpack in San Sebastian?
San Sebastian is a popular backpacker destination with more than 10 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $49 per night. (See hostel prices in San Sebastian here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $229 and the cheapest around $22 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in San Sebastian.
- $33 for a dorm bed at A Room In The City Hostel
- $31 for a dorm bed at Downtown River Hostel
- $32 for a dorm bed at Koba Hostel
Are hotels expensive in San Sebastian?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in San Sebastian, it becomes apparent that they are very expensive in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $207 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 10 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $830 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $228 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $105 per night.
Hotels by star rating in San Sebastian
Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|---|
5 stars | 10 | $830 |
4 stars | 105 | $292 |
3 stars | 96 | $228 |
2 stars | 66 | $105 |
1 star | 42 | $116 |
No rating | 31 | $328 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in San Sebastian?
Activities and things to do in San Sebastian can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $36 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $30.
- San Sebastian Lunch Time Pintxo Tour with Wine: $200
- San Sebastian Private Sailing trips & boat tours : $275
- Sunrise SUP tour & breakfast - Private stand up paddle boarding experience: $217
- San Sebastian Tailor made Private Tour: $137
- The Train Track Trail Mountain Bike Ride - Private experience: $263
- Gastronomic Tour of Pintxos in San Sebastián: $113
- Private Walking Tour of Essential Spots of San Sebastian: $286
- Gipuzkoa Coast Tour with lunch: $183
Is food expensive in San Sebastian?
Food in San Sebastian can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $63 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $79. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- I travel for Food Tour in San Sebastian: $159
- Local Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $217
- San Sebastián Walking Dinner Tour with Basque Bites : $285
- Basque cuisine cooking class: $149
- San Sebastian Walking and Food Tour: $109
- Private San Sebastian Food Tour: Pintxo Tasting & Spanish Wines: $252
Is transportation expensive in San Sebastian?
The prices of local transportation in San Sebastian can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $15 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $33. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for San Sebastian
If you're planning a trip to San Sebastian, Spain, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.