How much money does the Camino de Santiago cost?

How much money does the Camino de Santiago cost?

The daily expenses for the Camino de Santiago can vary. The budget depends on personal needs and lifestyle. Generally, average daily expenses for food and for sleeping are around 30/40€. Costs for travelling and for the necessary gear also need to be taken into account. The estimation for the total expenses is 500-600 € for the last hundred kilometers of the French Way from Sarria to Santiago (5/7 days), up to 1000-1500 € for the whole French Way from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago (30/35 days of walking)

Travel costs

Several low cost companies fly to the starting point of the Camino de Santiago, prices can be very convenient with return flights around 80/200 €. In order to assure a good price it is highly important to book in advance, in this way it is easier to take advantage of the offers proposed by the various low cost companies, such as Ryanair, Easyjet and Vueling. Once landed in France or Spain it is easy and cheap to move around by bus or by train. There are many travel search engines that can help you find budget flights, for example:

  • Skyscanner
  • Kayak
  • Expedia

Costs for the needed equipment

If you are not already a passionate walker, you will probably need all the technical equipment for the Camino de Santiago. This will vary according to the time of the year you will embark on the Camino. If you are leaving in winter, you will need additional gear to protect you from the cold temperatures and rain.

There are many shops specialised in trekking equipment. A cheap option is the franchise Decathlon which offers a high variety of products with great value for money.

Below is a list of gear you will need for the Camino:

  • Trekking shoes 100/200 €
  • Backpack 70/170 € depending on the liters (suggestion is 40/50 liters)
  • 3 pairs of technical socks 20/30 €
  • 3 microfiber t-shirts 20/50 €
  • 2 technical zipper knee trousers 50 €
  • 1 fleece shirt or vest 15/45 €
  • 1 technical jacket 100/200 €
  • sleeping bag 60/250 €

Therefore for the minimum necessary gear the cost is around 500/1000 €.

Costs for sleeping

The prices for sleeping along the Camino de Santiago are generally lower compared to the rest of Europe. The amount for the stay will depend on what kind of experience you wish to have and what kind of structure you will choose. The Camino de Santiago offers a wide range of options for all budgets:

  • Pilgrim’s hostels: these are usually run by the local parish or by the local council and are exclusively for pilgrims. The hostels are very cheap and can cost between 7 and 20 € per night in a shared dorm
  • Private hostels: between 10 and 25 € per night in a shared dorm
  • Pensions and cheap hotels: between 35 and 65 € per night per private single or double room
  • Bed & Breakfast and higher category hotels: prices start at 70 € per night

Costs for food

The average daily expenses for food are around 20 and 40 €, considering breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner.

Many cafes and restaurants along the camino offer the Pilgrim’s menu. The price for the menu is around 10/15 € and it generally includes a full meal with dessert, or coffee, and water.

If you are on a budget, many hostels are equipped with a kitchen available for pilgrims. By shopping in local supermarkets and cooking with fellow pilgrims, the daily budget will be much lower.