Costs
In short: With an albergue and a pilgrim menu you should budget about 40 to 50 euros a day in 2026. If you cook for yourself you can manage on around 30 euros, and with private rooms it quickly reaches 70 euros or more.
How much money you need for the pilgrimage depends mainly on your bed and your dinner. A dormitory bunk and a sandwich you make yourself are very different from a single room and a restaurant. Both are possible on the Way of St James.
The prices below are guide values for Spain as of 2026, and France is usually a little more expensive. Travel and gear are not included.
How much does a pilgrimage cost per day?
| Item | budget | mid-range | comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed | €8 to 12 (public albergue) | €15 to 20 (private albergue) | €45 and up (guesthouse) |
| Breakfast and coffee | €4 | €6 | €8 |
| Lunch | €5 (packed food) | €8 (bar) | €12 |
| Dinner | €6 (self-catered) | €12 to 15 (pilgrim menu) | €20 and up |
| Per day | around €30 | around €45 | around €85 |
Then there are small expenses: a washing machine, drinks, an entrance fee or a pack of blister plasters. Allow about 5 euros a day for these.
Where you can save
You save the most by cooking for yourself in albergues with a shared kitchen, ideally together with other pilgrims. It's more fun that way too. A small tent is rarely worth it, on the other hand, as you carry the weight every day and wild camping is mostly banned in Spain.
Where you shouldn't save: on shoes, and on a rest day in a single room when your body needs it. A reservation is also money well spent.
Cash or card?
A debit or credit card for emergencies belongs on the Camino even if you otherwise want to travel with as little tech as possible. There are cash machines in larger towns, but villages often have none. So carry enough cash for two to three days.
What will your route cost?
Set the days, bed and food. The total uses guide figures for Spain, as of 2026, without travel to the start and gear.
50 € per day, including €5 for small extras
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Camino cost per day?
With an albergue and a pilgrim menu you should budget about 40 to 50 euros a day in 2026. If you cook for yourself you can manage on around 30 euros, and with private rooms it quickly reaches 70 euros or more.
Can you pay by card on the Way of St James?
In towns and cities mostly, in small albergues and village bars not always. So always carry some cash.
What does a pilgrim menu cost?
Usually about 12 to 15 euros for three courses, often including water or wine.