Realistic Les Falles Budget Guide – Valencia, 2026

Les Falles budget planning requires honest numbers. Because the festival itself is technically free, but getting there, sleeping somewhere, and eating food costs real money. 

And during Valencia’s biggest celebration, those costs go up a LOT.

I’ll break down every expense you’ll face. Then I’ll show you three realistic budgets from backpacker to luxury. 

The Honest Budget Overview

Quick answer: Expect to spend €200-500 per person for a 4-night Les Falles trip, not including flights.

That’s a wide range because Les Falles accommodates different travel styles. A hostel bed and street food costs very differently than hotels and sit-down restaurants.

The good news: The festival itself is free. You won’t pay for mascletàes, La Cremà, L’Ofrena, or viewing Falles. 

But everything around it costs money, and March prices are 2-4x normal Valencia prices.

And if you want exclusive access to certain things, then you will need to get VIP passes — although they are splurges, NOT necessities. 

Check out my full Valencia budget guide if you want to compare to other times of the year. 

Accommodation Costs: The Biggest Expense

Accommodation will destroy your budget if you’re not careful. Hotels know that this is the busiest time of the year and will be booked out to max capacity. I have an entire guide that goes over where to stay during Les Falles. 

NOTE: This is from MY research when I was looking ahead of time. So these prices will likely only go UP as you get closer. 

Normal Valencia Prices (For Context)

• Budget hostel: €60/night
• Mid-range hotel: €130/night
• Nice hotel: €180/night
• Luxury hotel: €300+/night

Les Falles Prices (March 14-20)

• Budget hostel: €80/night
• Mid-range hotel: €150/night
• Nice hotel: €250-350/night
• Luxury hotel: €400+/night

And this is just my research while I’m in Valencia. So it’s possible that these are actually a bit lower than what you’d find normally. In other words, don’t fall for the “Spain is so cheap” mentality. 

Because it’s not accurate normally — and definitely far from the truth during Les Falles. 

By Neighborhood

These are just some quick numbers to give you an idea of hotel prices. Again, I have a full Les Falles Hotel Guide if you want to check that out as well. I point out specific hotels that I think are worth staying at. 

Ciutat Vella (Old Town):

• Hostel dorms: €40-60/night
• Budget hotels: €150-200/night
• Mid-range: €200-300/night
• Nice hotels: €300-450/night

Russafa:

• Hostel dorms: €35-50/night
• Budget hotels: €150-200/night
• Mid-range: €200-300/night
• Nice hotels: €350/night

L’Eixample:

• Hostel dorms: €50/night
• Budget hotels: €100-150/night
• Mid-range: €150-220/night
• Nice hotels: €220-300/night

Beach Areas:

• Hostel dorms: €35/night
• Budget hotels: €80-120/night
• Mid-range: €120-180/night
• Nice hotels: €250-400/night

Total Accommodation for 4 Nights

• Backpacker (hostel): €140-240
• Budget (cheap hotel): €400-600
• Mid-range: €600-1,000
• Luxury: €1,000-1,800

This is going to absolutely be your biggest expense. So make sure you book in advance

Money-saving tip: Stay in areas outside of the city center. You’ll save a lot, even if you have to walk a bit more.

Read my full where to stay guide for detailed neighborhood breakdowns.

Getting to Valencia: Transportation Costs

Flights

Flight prices to Valencia spike for this time of year, so I definitely suggest booking in advance if possible. Here’s what you can expect to pay:

From Europe: €150-200 return (budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet)
From the Americas: €400-1000+ return

When to book:

• September-October: Best prices
• November-December: Good prices
• January: Prices rising
• February+: Expensive, limited options

Budget €100-200 for European flights if you book early.

➡️ Here’s where I recommend getting your flights.

Airport to City (Valencia Airport)

Metro: €4.80 one-way

• Takes 30 minutes
• Runs every 20 minutes
• Best budget option

➡️ Read my metro guide

Bus: €1.45 one-way

• Takes 40-50 minutes depending on traffic
• Cheaper, but way less convenient 

➡️ Read my bus guide

Taxi: €25-30 to center

• 20-25 minutes
• Fixed price
• Good for groups splitting cost

➡️ Read details on how to get to the airport

Private transfer: €35-50

• Advance booking
• Direct to hotel
• Worth it for families

Budget: €8 (metro return) to €60 (private transfer)

➡️ Book a private transfer

Getting Around Valencia During Les Falles

Let’s talk about how much it’ll cost you to get around during the festival. Of course, walking is free and you want to see the ambience. But in case you need to rest your legs, here are some prices to think about.  

Valencia Tourist Card:

• 24h: €15
• 48h: €20
• 72h: €25
• Includes unlimited public transport + museum discounts
• Worth it if using transport daily

➡️ Get the tourist card

Single metro tickets: €1.50 

SUMA 10 (10 trips): €5.40 (as of Jan. 2026)

Children under 10: FREE on all public transport

Walking: Free and often fastest during Les Falles

• The old town is compact
• Streets close to cars anyway
• Metro gets crowded

Budget transport: €0-25 for the festival depending on your walking tolerance and where you stay.

Money-saving tip: Walk whenever possible. Valencia is flat and compact. Plus, all the things to see during Les Falles are on the street! 

Food Costs: It Adds Up

I covered food extensively in my Les Falles food guide. Here’s the cost breakdown.

Daily Food Budget Options

Backpacker Budget (€20-30/day):

• Coffee: €1.50
• Sandwich lunch: €5-6
• Bunyols: €2-3
• Kebab dinner: €6-8
• Street food drinks: €5-8
• Total: €20-30/day

Mid-Range Budget (€50-70/day):

• Breakfast: €5-8
• Menú del dia lunch: €12-15
• Bunyols and xurros: €5-8
• Tapas dinner: €20-25
• Drinks at bars: €10-15
• Total: €50-70/day

Comfortable Budget (€80-120/day):

• Nice breakfast: €10-15
• Paella restaurant lunch: €25-30
• Bunyols and xurros: €5-8
• Good restaurant dinner: €30-40
• Cocktails/wine: €15-25
• Total: €80-120/day

Luxury Budget (€150+/day):

• Hotel breakfast: €15-20
• Top paella restaurant: €50-60
• Bunyols and xurros: €5-8
• Michelin-recommended dinner: €80-100+
• Premium drinks: €20-30
• Total: €150-200/day

Food for 4 Nights/5 Days

• Backpacker: €100-150
• Mid-range: €250-350
• Comfortable: €400-600
• Luxury: €750-1,000

Hidden Food Costs

Tipping: Not required but €1-2 appreciated for good table service

Bottled water: €1-2 each 

Ressopó: €5-10 nightly (for post-partying foods)

Alcohol: This varies wildly

• Beer at supermarket: €0.80-1.20
• Beer at bar: €2.50-4
• Wine glass: €3-6
• Cocktail: €8-12

Budget €30-50 extra for alcohol if you drink moderately during the festival.

Event Costs: Mostly Free!

One of my favorite things about this festival is that everything is free! If you don’t want you, you literally do not have to spend a single penny. Now, there are some caveats if you want special treatment. But I personally have never spent anything to see Les Falles. 

Free events:

• All Falles viewing (700+ monuments)
• Mascletà (daily, 2pm)
• L’Ofrena de Flors
• La Nit del Foc (fireworks)
• La Cremà (the burning)
• Walking around atmosphere
• Street parties and verbenas
• Despertà (morning firecrackers)

Paid options (not required):

• Rooftop bars for fireworks: €20-50 
• Guided tours: €20-40
• VIP Access to view the Falles 

You genuinely don’t need to pay for anything. But if you want some extra special experiences, this is definitely an option!

Hidden Costs That Add Up

Here are some extra costs that a lot of travelers sort of overlook. This might not be applicable to everyone – but give it a quick read to make sure you’re staying on top of your travel budget! 

Phone and Internet

Roaming (if from outside EU): €10-30 for data package

SIM: €15-30 for prepaid data

• Not essential if you have EU roaming
• Useful for heavy data users
• I recommend Airalo for e-sim cards

Earplugs

Essential. You can buy them here, but if you want to sleep – it’s a necessity. 

• Cost: €3
• Necessary for survival

Sunscreen

Look, I know it’s not the summer. But do not underestimate the Mediterranean sun. Wear your sunblock!

• Cost: €8-15
• Cheaper at supermarket than pharmacy

Laundry

If staying 5+ nights:

• Laundromat: €6-10
• Hotel laundry: €15-30
• Handwashing: Free! I personally am not ashamed to have washed my clothes in the hotel sink 😅

Souvenirs

• T-shirts: €15-25
• Posters: €5-15
• Photos/books: €10-30
• Fallera scarf: €5-10

Budget €20-50 if you want souvenirs.

Emergency Costs

• Pharmacy: €10-20 for hangover remedies, pain relievers 
• Lost items: Phone chargers, adapters, etc 
• Unexpected transport: Late-night taxis when metro closes

Budget €30-50 emergency buffer.

Complete Budget Breakdowns

Don’t like reading? Here’s a quick Les Falles budget breakdown. Feel free to copy this list or take a screenshot of it:

Backpacker Budget: €350-450 total

• Accommodation: €140-200 (hostel, 4 nights) 
• Food: €100-130 (€20-25/day) 
• Transport in city: €10-15 
• Flights: €80-120 (budget airline, booked early, European flights) 
• Airport transfer: €8 (metro) 
• Events: €0 (all free) 
• Misc: €20-30 (sunscreen, earplugs, water)

Daily average: €70-90

How to do it:

• Stay in a hostel outside the center
• Grab a cheap breakfast (croissant + coffee)
• Menú del dia for lunch (€12) 
• Street food for dinner
• Buy supermarket drinks
• Walk everywhere possible
• Skip paid tours/events
• One or two nice meals max

What you sacrifice:

• Comfort and sleep quality
• Restaurant variety
• Central location
• Spontaneous purchases

Is it worth it? Absolutely. Les Falles is free. The backpacker experience is just as authentic as luxury. Just remember you won’t sleep as well. 

Mid-Range Budget: €800-1,200 total

• Accommodation: €500-700 (decent hotel, 4 nights) 
• Food: €280-350 (€55-70/day) 
• Transport in city: €20-30 
• Flights: €100-180 
• Airport transfer: €8-30 
• Events: €0-40 (maybe one tour) 
• Misc: €50-80 (souvenirs, emergencies)

Daily average: €160-240

How to do it:

• Stay in La Saïdia or L’Eixample
• Breakfast at cafés
• One paella restaurant lunch
• Mix of tapas and nice dinners
• Drinks at bars (not clubs)
• Valencia Tourist Card for transport
• Mostly free events, maybe one tour
• Buy some souvenirs

What you sacrifice:

• Central old town location
• Michelin restaurants
• Unlimited drinking
• Every tour available

Is it worth it? I think this is the sweet spot for most people. This is usually my style of travel. 

Comfortable/Luxury Budget: €1,600-2,500+ total

• Accommodation: €1,000-1,500 (nice hotel, 4 nights) 
• Food: €500-800 (€100-160/day) 
• Transport: €50-100 (taxis, convenience) 
• Flights: €150-300 (flexible, good times) 
• Airport transfer: €50-80 (private) 
• Events/Tours: €80-150 
• Misc: €100-200 (souvenirs, spa, extras)

Daily average: €320-500+

How to do it:

• Stay in top Ciutat Vella or Beach hotel
• All meals at quality restaurants
• Multiple paella experiences
• Michelin-recommended dinners
• Premium cocktails and wine
• Taxis when possible
• Guided tours and experiences
• Spa day to recover

What you sacrifice:

• Nothing really, this is the full experience

Is it worth it? If you can afford it, yes. You’ll have a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Money-Saving Strategies

This is what everyone wants to see! So here are some local tips to save money during Les Falles.

Book Accommodation Early

Seriously. The earlier, the cheaper. July booking vs month-before booking saves €200-400 on hotels.

Stay Outside Ciutat Vella

Nearby towns or beach areas cost 30-40% less. You save €100-200 over 4 nights.

Fly Budget Airlines

Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling. Book September-October at the latest for Les Falles. Saves €100-200 vs booking late or flying premium.

Plan Your Meals

You can enjoy a menú del dia for lunch (€12-15, three courses). Then eat lighter for dinner. Saves €20-30/day vs two restaurant meals.

Walk Instead of Metro

Valencia is compact and flat. Walk between events. Saves €10-20 and you’ll see more. Besides, you’re here to see the festival! So you might as well walk around and enjoy it. 

Buy Supermarket Drinks

Beer at Mercadona costs €0.80. Same beer at bar costs €3. Depending on your drinking habits, this can save a good amount of money. 

Skip Tourist Restaurant Districts

Walk just slightly out of the center. You’ll notice that prices drop 30%. 

Use Valencia Tourist Card Wisely

If you’ll use transport 5+ times in 3 days, the €25 card saves money vs individual tickets. You can check my guide on whether it’s worth it for you! 

Avoid Peak Weekend

This depends on the year, but the weekend will always be more expensive. And the 19th is always the most expensive night. So if you’re really concerned about prices, you may consider planning your trip around the timing. 

When Costs Are Highest

Most Expensive Nights

March 18-19: The final nights cost 20-30% more than earlier nights. Hotels know people want to stay for La Cremà.

What’s Worth Splurging On

Sometimes it is worth spending a little bit of extra money on things. This depends on your personal preferences. But here’s what I think does actually make a difference sometimes:

Worth It:

Better accommodation location: The difference between in a nice bed with good sound insulation and in a hostel…will drastically affect your mental and physical health while you’re here. .

Good earplugs: Cheap foam earplugs vs quality noise-canceling makes a huge difference. Spend €10-15 on good ones.

Quality breakfast: Starting the day well matters. You’ll need lots of energy for all the walking you’re about to do!

One VIP Experience: Personally, I’ve never done this because I live here. I do Falles every year. But if I only had ONE chance, I would totally go for a rooftop viewing or a VIP pass to see the Falles up close. Maybe not all of them, but I would choose one experience to splurge on. 

Not Worth It:

Tourist menu restaurants: Those “traditional rice dishes” near the City Hall are…not worth it at all. 

Expensive hotel breakfast: Most hotels charge €15-20 for mediocre buffets. Eat at a café instead. Or at least, read the breakfast reviews.

Souvenir t-shirts: Do people still do this? Personally I think it’s dumb, but you do you. 

Common Budget Mistakes

I know a lot of people end up making mistakes when it comes to budgeting for Les Falles. So if you want to enjoy the festival without breaking the bank, here are a few things to avoid:

Mistake 1: Waiting to Book

Waiting costs money. Every month you wait, prices increase 10-20%. Book in summer/fall. I’m sure hotels are getting booked for NEXT year’s festival already…

Mistake 2: Staying in Ciutat Vella Without Research

You pay premium for location, but might hate the noise. Research carefully. Because otherwise, you’ll pay extra money to not sleep. Read my where to stay guide for Les Falles.

Mistake 3: Eating Every Meal Out

Even mid-range travelers can’t sustain €60-80 daily food budgets. Mix restaurant meals with street food and supermarket snacks. 

To be honest, this is advice I do not typically follow. But I always tell myself I should follow this rule…

Mistake 4: Not Budgeting for Alcohol

“I’ll just have a few drinks” turns into €80 over the festival. Be realistic about drinking costs.

Mistake 5: Assuming Everything’s Cheap Because Spain

“Spain is Cheap” is a myth. And Les Falles Valencia is absolutely not cheap. It’s a major festival during peak demand.

Final Realistic Advice

Les Falles is expensive compared to normal Valencia. But it’s still affordable if you plan it correctly. 

A mid-range Les Falles trip costs what you’d pay for a normal weekend some major cities. But you get a UNESCO World Heritage festival, perfect weather (hopefully), incredible food, and authentic Valencian culture.

My honest recommendation:

Don’t come on the absolute cheapest budget possible. You’ll stress about money instead of enjoying the festival. Budget €150-200/day for two people (€75-100 each). This gives you comfort without excess.

Book accommodation early to get good prices. Then relax and enjoy. The festival is free. But this is truly an unforgettable event unlike anything in the world. 

If you need help, feel free to send me a message or book a travel consultation. 

And if you want to keep exploring, here are some other guides I’ve made that could be helpful:

Bon viatge!