How much does it cost to do the Camino de Santiago? Spoiler: less than therapy… but more than you think
Let's tell the truth from the beginning, without detours and without incense:
do the Camino de Santiago it's not expensive, but it's not free either.
And no, that “I go with what I have and faith” does not apply. Faith pays no price. You don't even shroud. Nor massages when the legs decide to retire early.
So if you're thinking about embarking on the Camino and you're wondering how much money it really costs... make yourself comfortable. Let's go in parts. And with humor, which hurts less.
The base budget: the minimum to survive (and not cry)
We start with the most common scenario:
normal pilgrim, without luxuries, without dramas, but with dignity.
Sleep
Public hostels: €8–12
Private hostels: €12–18
If you do about 30 days of the Camino, the account is clear:
between €300 and €450 just to sleep.
You will sleep in bunk beds, you will hear snoring from all nationalities and you will learn that absolute silence does not exist. But hey, you rest… sort of.
Eat (the true Way)
This is where the budget starts to shake.
Pilgrim breakfast: €3–5
Pilgrim's menu: €10–14
Impromptu dinners, sandwiches, various whims: it adds up and goes on.
Reasonable daily average:
€20–30 per day.
In one month:
600–900 €.
Because yes, you can go grocery shopping...
But when you smell something cooked or see hot dishes coming out in a bar, the backpack weighs less and the card comes out on its own.
The expense that no one tells you about: before the Camino
Before you take the first step, you've already spent money. And quite a bit.
Decent boots or sneakers: €80–150
Backpack: €60–120
“Light” technical clothing (lie): €100
Walking sticks (because we all end up using them): €20–40
Previous total: between €250 and €400.
And that's if you don't go crazy buying “essentials” that you'll use for two days.
Invisible (but inevitable) expenses
Here come the little daily sabers:
Plasters, bandages, anti-chafing cream
Washers and dryers
“Just one more” coffees
Cañas “because I have earned it”
Stamps, souvenirs, magnets that you didn't need
Calculate €5–10 daily extra,
others 150–300 € that fly without realizing it.
The dangerous factor: the after stage
Nobody prepares you here.
You finish walking. You sit down.
You ask for a beer. Then another.
Then someone says, “Shall we have dinner together?”
And suddenly you're celebrating life like there's no tomorrow.
The Camino is spiritual…
but Galicia is dangerous for the budget.
So… how much does it really cost to do the Camino?
Let's add without crying:
Sleeping: €300–450
Eating: €600–900
Miscellaneous expenses: €150–300
Previous equipment: €250–400
👉 Approximate total: between €1,200 and €2,000
It depends on:
how much you walk,
how much you eat,
how much you give,
and how many times you say “bah, for once…”
The great final truth
Doing the Camino costs money.
Yeah.
But it costs much less that:
an organized trip,
bad therapy
a divorce,
or continue ignoring that you need to stop.
And also, you take something that does not appear in the bank account:
stories, friends, silences, laughter...
and a different way of looking at life.
That, curiously, is free.
Pilgrim conclusion
If you have doubts about the money, don't worry.
The Camino adapts to you.
But warn your wallet:
He's going to lose a little weight... and so will you.
Good Way.
And save some for the last beer 🍻
