As a fair and balanced travel writer, I’ve compiled a comparison between Bilbao and Lisbon for backpackers, focusing on verifiable data and realistic estimates to help you make an informed decision.
Which City Offers a Lower Daily Budget for Backpackers?
Backpackers typically spend €35-55/day in European cities. Bilbao often falls into the lower end of this range, with an estimated daily budget of €35-50. Lisbon, while generally affordable, can lean slightly higher, with an estimated daily budget ranging from €38-55, particularly due to its rising popularity. Therefore, Bilbao likely offers a marginally lower overall daily cost.
How Do Accommodation Costs Compare?
Hostel dorm beds in European cities generally cost €15-30/night. In Bilbao, expect estimated prices for a dorm bed to range from €18-28/night. Lisbon’s hostels, especially well-located or highly-rated ones, can range from estimated €20-30/night, with prices peaking in the high season. Both offer good value, but Lisbon might be slightly pricier for accommodation.
What Are Typical Food and Drink Expenses?
A backpacker’s food budget usually falls between €10-20/day, with meals at local restaurants typically costing €8-15 in many European cities. Bilbao excels with its pintxos culture; these small, often elaborate snacks can be a very economical way to eat, with individual pintxos costing around €2-4. Lisbon offers excellent value in its local ‘tascas’ or ‘prato do dia’ (dish of the day) specials, which can easily be found for €8-15. Both cities provide delicious and affordable culinary experiences.
How Do Local Transportation Costs Vary?
Daily public transport in European cities typically costs €5-10. Both Bilbao and Lisbon boast efficient public transport networks including metros, buses, and trams. A single public transport ticket in either city costs around €1.50-2.00. Lisbon also benefits from its rechargeable Viva Viagem card, which can offer slight savings. Overall, transport costs are broadly comparable and budget-friendly in both destinations.
Which City is More Affordable Seasonally?
In both Bilbao and Lisbon, spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) typically offer lower prices for accommodation and flights compared to the peak summer months (June-August). These shoulder seasons also provide more comfortable weather for exploring. Summer, with its higher demand, will generally see prices increase across the board in both cities.
Budget-Saving Tip: To further stretch your budget in either city, utilize resources like AllInMap to discover free public amenities such as parks, fountains, or free Wi-Fi hotspots, helping you explore without breaking the bank.
