Pilgrimage on a budget: ten ways to save money

In short: With public albergues and your own cooking, around 30 euros a day is possible.

A pilgrimage is one of the cheapest holidays there is. A few decisions will keep your budget small.

Saving on beds

Public and church-run albergues are the cheapest. At donativo albergues you pay what you can give. Our costs page shows the price ranges.

Saving on food

Shop at the supermarket and cook together. Between three of you, a pasta dish costs a few euros per person. A bocadillo from a shop is much cheaper than one from a bar.

Saving on travel

Book early, and look at airports further away. On the way home, buses are often cheaper than trains. You will find tips in our article Getting to the Way of St James.

Saving on gear

Borrow a backpack or poles from friends. Good shoes are the only exception, as they need to fit. Second-hand shops for outdoor clothing are a good source.

What you shouldn't go without

Don't save on travel health insurance or blister plasters. A night in a single room after a hard week is also money well spent. If you plan everything down to the last euro, you risk losing the enjoyment.