Finances and the Way

Budgeting

Split the costs down into sections:

1 Flights to and from Europe.
2 Connections from there to your starting point and back from Santiago to the airport.
The combination of these can lead to some unsuspected routes as some towns can be much cheaper to fly to than others as are some connections. Some times of year and days of the week are cheaper than others. So choosing the right flight at the right time can save you much of your add on costs.

3 Costs on the road. These will vary with the time you take and where you stay. Some people seem to be able to live on very little but a basic budget staying in refugios/albergues is about 1 euro per km or about 25 euro per day.

4 Add on costs, health/travel insurance, souvenirs, contingency fund (say 1 week costs).

Buen Camino
William

Sinenome,


I agree with all the other people above, but I can offer you also my very recent experience.
I just finished my trip in late October.
You have to count on 5 to 8 Euro for the accomodation in the Albergue (in Galicia the Albergue is donativo), 7 to 8 Euro for the pelgrim menu, which has 3 courses and includes wine/water and is quite filling, 3 Euro for breakfast (usually in a bar and consists only of toasted bread, jam and coffee). Then you will have to purchase some fruit and lunch (usually bread and cheese/meat) in a shop for say 3 Euro. Water you fill up when you start, at the bars and at the fountains, so don't buy! This brings you to 22 Euro max. If you enjoy a beer (or two), fruitjuices, more coffee or chocolate (all 4 cost tou about 1 Euro each), then add 4 Euro, bringing the total to 26 Euro.

The exchange rate at present is US$ 1.18 for 1 Euro, so we are talking about 26 US$ /day for the basics and US$31/day for the basics with beer and coffee. Mind you that the exchange rate might fluctuate 5 or 10% up or down, and also you have to take into account full albergues and emergencies. Cheap single rooms (habitaciones) above bars, in 1 star hostals or casas rural, or private will cost you between 10 and 20 Euro ( for doubles between 15 and 25 Euro)

Kees

Hi Sinenomene

When we did the Camino last June/July we averaged anywhere between about 25e-40e per day. All depended on where we ended up in the evening, where we were passing during the day, etc. The big cities where generally the more expensive days. Definately worth it though.

We were planning on doing it again in April but have had to postpone due to other commitments. Im gutted

Hope this help When are you planning on doing it?

Matt