A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Braga vs. Madrid for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Braga or Madrid?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Braga or Madrid? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Braga or Madrid?

Braga

Located in the Cavado Valley of Northern Portugal, Braga is a medium sized city with both historical and modern characteristics. There is a university in town, known as Universidade do Minho, which gives the city a young feel with a lot of life. There are also many bars, clubs, and activities around to keep you entertained.

Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Porto, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Braga?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Braga is €142, while the average daily cost in Madrid is €162. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Braga and Madrid in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Braga 54
    Madrid 78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Braga 108
    Madrid 156
Compare Hotels in Braga and Madrid

Looking for a hotel in Braga or Madrid? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Braga


Hotels in Madrid


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Braga Hotel Prices and Madrid Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Braga 20
    Madrid 18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Braga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Braga:

  • Private Sedan Transfer from Braga or Guimaraes City to Porto City: $66
  • Braga Private Transfer to Porto: $60
  • Esposende Private Transfer to Porto: $45

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Alcobendas Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
  • Hotel Madrid City Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $29
  • Private transfer departure from City Centre to Madrid Airport: $29
  • Transfer: Barajas Airport (MAD) to Madrid City Center: $32
  • Madrid Barajas Airport Private Transfer To Madrid City: $35
  • Private transfer to Madrid Airport (MAD): $37
  • Madrid Airport (MAD) to Madrid - Arrival Private Transfer: $43
  • Private transfer from Madrid city to CHAMARTIN train station: $47
  • Private Transfer From Madrid Barajas Airport to Madrid: $48
  • Madrid Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $49
  • Madrid Airport Departure Private Transfer: $51
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer Madrid Airport To Madrid: $60

Is it cheaper to fly into Braga or Madrid?

Prices for flights to both Madrid and Braga change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Braga 70
    Madrid 59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Braga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Braga.

  • Authentic Braga Food Tour with Lunch & Local Guide 3 Hours: $106
  • Local Heritage Food Tour Gastronomy and Culture of Viana: $154

Typical Food Prices in Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    2.00
  • Ice Cream
    3.00
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    16
  • Croissant
    1.50
  • Lunch at Airport (for 2)
    16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid

For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $71
  • Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid : $72
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $76
  • Spanish Tapas Experience and Sangría Showcooking in Madrid: $78
  • Paella and Tapas Cooking Workshop in Madrid: $84
  • Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $90
  • Spanish Cooking Class Paella Tapas and Sangria in Madrid: $102
  • Tapas & Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with a Professional Chef: $106
  • Tapas, Drinks & Stories: Madrid by Night Food Tour: $124
  • Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing: $142
  • Taste of Spain: Tapas Cooking Class with Bottomless Wine Pairing: $142
  • Afternoon Tapas Cooking Class in a Secret Venue in Madrid: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Braga 16
    Madrid 33

Tours and Activities in Braga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Braga are as follows:

  • 1h Buggy Tour • Arcos de Valdevez • Peneda Gerês: $106
  • 2h Buggy Tour • Arcos de Valdevez • Peneda Gerês: $166
  • 2h Quad Tour • Arcos de Valdevez • Peneda Gerês: $130
  • 4X4 Privat Tour – Discovering DA Serra d ́ Arga: $191
  • 4X4 Privat Tour - Peneda-Gerês National Park: $221
  • A Guimarães Hidden Gems Walking Tour Experience : $24
  • Barcelos, Braga & Guimarães Tour: $120
  • Braga Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $268
  • Braga Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.59
  • Braga Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tourer Hunt: $4.49
  • Braga and Guimarães Full Day Private Tour from Porto: $181
  • Braga’s Timeless Treasures: A Cultural Walking Tour: $288

Tours and Activities in Madrid

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.

  • Self Guided Walking City Tour in Madrid: $1.17
  • Tour "Barrio de las Letras" Spanish Golden Age: $2.86
  • Tour "Madrid of the Austrias" | Old Town ❤️: $2.86
  • Malasaña and Chueca A Tour That Shouts Freedom: $3.57
  • Madrid Walking Tour from Puerta del Sol to Retiro Park: $3.57
  • Self Guided Tours Madrid With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
  • Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.58
  • Madrid Mountains Free Walking Tour: $3.58
  • Walking Tour of Madrid Moderno, Madrid de los Bourbons : $3.58
  • Tuk Tuk Tour of the Best of Madrid (booking only) : $5.97
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Cervantes Literary Experience in Madrid: $6.99
  • Ghosts of Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Braga 21
    Madrid 19

Sample the Local Flavors in Braga

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Braga:

  • Customized Wine Tasting: Your Choices: $30
  • Wine Tasting & Lunch | Quinta de Santa Cristina Vinho Verde: $62
  • Wine tour at Mosteiro de Tibães with an exclusive wine tasting: $66
  • Tour of the Green Wine villages and wine tasting.: $119
  • Green Wine Ponte Lima Region-Small Group tour-Lunch,Wine Tastings: $161
  • Private Culture and Wine Tourism Tour: $245

Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    5.00
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    13

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Top Pub Crawl Madrid & Party: $11
  • Madrid Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entrance: $12
  • Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
  • Pub Crawl Madrid by Mad Party Crew: $20
  • Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $30
  • Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor in Madrid : $30
  • Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
  • Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $55
  • Toledo Tour with Tapas, Wine Tasting and Optional 3 Monuments: $57
  • Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $59
  • Madrid Royal Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $71
  • New Year Eve Madrid Pub Crawl: $82


When comparing the travel costs between Braga and Madrid, we can see that Madrid is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Braga Expensive? and Is Madrid Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Braga or Madrid?

Madrid has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Braga. When comparing the sizes of Braga and Madrid, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.