Madrid is generally cheaper than London, Paris or Amsterdam for food and transport, though hotels in peak season can still add up.
| Coffee, standing at the bar | Often under €2 |
|---|---|
| Menu del día (set lunch) | Roughly €12–€16 at a typical neighbourhood restaurant |
| Tapas + a drink, casual bar | Around €4–€8 per tapa depending on the area |
| Single Metro ticket | Around €1.50–€2; cheaper per ride on a multi-trip card |
| Museum entry (Prado, Reina Sofía) | Roughly €12–€15; both have free entry windows on certain days/hours |
| Mid-range hotel double room | Highly seasonal — meaningfully more in May–June and September than in January or August |
Card payment is widely accepted, including for small purchases at most bars and shops, though it's still sensible to carry some cash for small independent bars, markets and tipping.
Tipping in Madrid is appreciated but genuinely optional — not the built-in expectation it is in the US. Rounding up or leaving small change for casual meals is normal; for a nicer dinner, 5–10% is generous rather than obligatory.
The biggest lever on your Madrid budget isn't food (which stays reasonable even at nicer restaurants) — it's accommodation timing. The same hotel room can genuinely double in price between a quiet January week and a June weekend.