© José Manuel Guerrero · Fotografía propia · © Todos los derechos reservadosBudget
© José Manuel Guerrero · Fotografía propia · © Todos los derechos reservadosBudget
The Camino can be very cheap or fairly expensive depending on how you plan it. Walking is free; the cost lies in accommodation, food and logistics. In classic pilgrim mode —hostels and set menus— you can do it on around 25-35 € a day; with hotels and restaurants the budget rises easily. Here is the breakdown.
Updated on August 12, 2026
Public pilgrim hostels cost between 8 and 12 € a night; private ones, between 12 and 18 €. It is the most economical option and the one that gives you the pilgrim atmosphere. Guesthouses and hotels raise the bar to 35-50 € a room and up.
On the busiest stages —Sarria, the last 100 km, the cities— it pays to book ahead in high season and in a Holy Year, when demand sends prices and occupancy soaring.
The pilgrim's menu (10-15 €) is the usual choice for dinner. You can cut costs a lot by cooking in hostels with a kitchen and shopping at the supermarkets in the villages.
Add breakfasts and the odd coffee or snack along the way. Carrying fruit, nuts and water makes the days cheaper and saves you depending on finding an open bar.
Factor in the trip to your starting point and the journey home from Santiago (bus, train or plane from Santiago or A Coruña). The credential costs a few euros and the Compostela is free.
Other extras: backpack transfer between stages (around 5-8 € per stage), washing machines in hostels, the odd sightseeing visit and the little treats when you arrive. Your gear pays for itself over several Caminos.
The hostels and lodgings on the most popular stages (Sarria, O Cebreiro, the last 100 km) fill up fast, especially in summer and during a Holy Year. Book ahead to secure a spot at the best price.
Frequently asked questions
In hostel-and-pilgrim's-menu mode, between 25 and 35 € a day. With guesthouses and restaurants, between 50 and 80 € or more. It depends above all on the accommodation you choose.
Sleep in public hostels, cook when you can, carry some of your food, travel outside high season and share costs. Carrying your own backpack also saves the cost of luggage transfer.
The credential costs about 2-3 € and is essential for sleeping in hostels and requesting the Compostela. The Compostela itself is free; you only pay if you want the distance certificate or a protective tube.