BUDGET CONCERNS
While your Camino can be a magical experience, there are some annoying real world considerations to deal with, like money.
As usual, how much you spend on Camino is all up to you. Some can do it remarkably inexpensively, some go a moderate route of comfort and a few go all out and make it a luxury, once in a lifetime experience. For our needs, we will concentrate on inexpensive and moderate. Those willing to shell out big bucks probably already know what they are looking for anyway…
Your budget can be broken down into a few different parts(pardon us for using US Dollar figures):
Travel
Your travel costs will vary depending on were you are departing from. Because of this we will throw a generic price of $1000 on the table just as a baseline.
Gearing Up
Buying all your gear for a Camino can be very inexpensive to amazingly expensive depending on the quality of gear you purchase. As a baseline number we will use $500. Really clever shoppers can get this price down to near $100, those going the ultra-light hiker route can spend upwards of $3000.
Day to Day
This is where things can really vary. Let’s break down our options below.
The Economy Camino
A truly life changing experience, an economy Camino is what many strive for. To reduce day to day spending, preparing group meals, shared laundry, and crashing in large, inexpensive albergues(hostels) with dozens or even hundreds of fellow pilgrims create a feeling of camaraderie and spirit of adventure that is hard to experience anywhere else. The price breakdown can be drastically reduced, if the pilgrim is willing to make major sacrifices in comfort. Camping, eating inexpensive pre-packaged food(some is quite good) and willingness to do chores around an albergue in exchange for a bed for example.
Daily Breakdown:
Breakfast - $5 Coffee, toast, perhaps a tortilla(potato and egg omelet)
Lunch - $7 Bocadillo(sandwich) and a drink.
Dinner - $5 Preparing simple meal in albergue kitchen. (Cheaper still if a shared effort.)
Laundry - Free. Do it by hand.
Lodging - $10 Bunk in large dorm or municipal albergue. (Some religious orders run donation only albergues.)
Snacks, tours, fun, beer, wine, emergency - $5
Total: $32 a day.
30 Day Camino total: $960
30 Day Camino+gear+transportation total:$2460
The Mid-Range Camino
This is the choice of most pilgrims. A pleasant blend of hard work walking and a nice relaxing evening meeting new friends and worrying bout your feet. A few more comforts than the Economy Camino, but not clearing out the bank.
Daily Breakdown:
Breakfast - $7 Coffee, toast, perhaps a tortilla(potato and egg omelet) and a tasty pastry.
Lunch - $7 Bocadillo(sandwich) and a drink.
Dinner - $12 Pilgrim meal at albergue or a local restaurant.(Usually 3 courses with water and wine. Can be great!)
Laundry - $5 Using washer and dryer
Lodging - $15 Bunk in smaller dorm or private albergue (Slightly overestimating the average as it varies wildly across the Camino.)
Snacks, tours, fun, beer, wine, emergency - $10
Total: $56 a day.
30 Day Camino total: $1680
30 Day Camino+gear+transportation total: $3100
Optional upgrade: Private rooms can be had at most private albergues for a significant up-charge. A 2 bed room with a private bathroom, real towels and climate control can be had for between $45 and $60 a night. Not a bad option at all for those wanting the occasional break from the bunk bed scene. Split with a new(or old) friend to save funds.
The Luxury Camino
Yep, this actually happens. If you can swing it, enjoy your experience!
Breakfast - $15 Breakfast at hotel.
Lunch - $15 Fancier lunch? No idea where you can find it most places tho…
Dinner - $35 Dinner at hotel.
Laundry - Free. Your fancy hotel better darn well do it for what you are paying to stay there.
Lodging - $150 Damn, you fancy hotel person!
Snacks, tours, fun, emergency - $25 Because you should buy me a beer.
Total: $Lots
30 Day Camino total:$Do you really care?
30 Day Camino+gear+transportation total:$You could have sent me to a semester of colledge.
