One of the things I am most grateful for this year was being able to travel to Europe and walk the Camino de Santiago.
It started with a planned trip with my best friend, whom I hadn’t seen in ages. Our plan was to meet in Portugal while she was in Europe for her brother’s wedding.
While planning the trip, I stumbled upon a post about the Kumano Kodo, and then its sister pilgrimage, Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. I felt an immediate pull to walk it.
There were so many times I almost backed out—especially after my friend’s brother’s wedding was postponed to a later date. I could have postponed my trip as well.
It was my first time going to Europe and I was very anxious.
Is it safe? Can I afford it? I can’t speak Spanish other than a few words we use back in the Philippines. I’m used to traveling solo, but for some reason, going to Europe alone made me especially anxious.
I asked God for a sign, and twice when I opened my one-year Bible, I landed on a story about Northern Spain (where the Camino de Santiago is). A few days later, I read a story about a journey.
I took that as a sign that I should go.
Now, I want to share some of the things I would have done differently when it comes to my expenses. Sharing this not to brag, but to be transparent — especially for anyone who’s been dreaming about solo-traveling to Europe but hesitating.
During this trip, I learned the importance of slowing down. I no longer want to rush through multiple places in one day just to check items off a bucket list. I want to soak in everything—the culture, the history, and the quiet moments. I want to meet locals and travel with intention.
I also learned how to be okay with missing a place for now, knowing that it simply gives me something to look forward to next time.
Hotel – ¥202,562
(June 22-July 11, 2025 total of 20 nights)
I walked from one hotel or pension to another during the first part of my Camino. I chose to stay in private rooms because I wanted to be able to sleep and rest properly. Most people stay in albergues, which are much cheaper, and I think I’ll try that next time.
After that, I stayed in female dorms at hostels, splurged a little on a few hotels (mainly because I like the history behind them), and I even ended up missing one night of accommodation in a place called O Cebreiro because I wasn’t able to find transportation to get there on the first night —which was another expense I could have avoided.
International Flight – ¥165,821
I flew from Haneda to Madrid with Air China, transiting through Beijing Airport. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a great experience, so I don’t think I would choose them again. If you have a bigger budget, taking a direct flight might be worth it. I’m a budget traveler, so I chose the cheapest option available.
For my dates, the direct flight was about ¥270,000, so I feel like I saved quite a lot by taking a one-stop flight.
Food – ¥128,240
For me, eating out in Spain and Portugal felt expensive compared to Japan. I discovered the ready-made foods at supermarkets a bit too late during my trip. I think I could have saved more if I had known about this earlier.
Sometimes I would go to a restaurant and the portions were too big for me to finish. There also weren’t many convenience stores like in Japan, where there’s a wide selection of affordable ready-to-eat food.
Transportation – ¥112,443
I did get scammed by a taxi in Portugal. While it wasn’t entirely surprising, next time I would book everything through an app so all payments are handled there. That way, there are no unexpected extra charges—and if something does happen, you at least have a way to report it.
I was too scared to say anything to the driver because I had just arrived in Portugal and didn’t have internet access. I wanted to travel without relying on the internet for a few days, so I took a taxi from the station. Unfortunately, he ended up charging me more than what he initially told me. Lesson learned.
Other than that, I don’t think I could have saved much when it came to transportation. I wanted to experience all the different ways of getting around, and I’m glad I did.
I took buses, the AVE train, local trains, funiculars, tram, ride shares, a flight within Europe—and I even rented a bicycle. Every mode of transportation was a great experience in its own way.
Activities & Tours – ¥63,319
I loved everything I booked on this trip. I didn’t think I would enjoy guided tours, but our tour guides made them so much fun that they never felt like a field trip.
That one tour I did in Portugal with Maria and Luis was one of the most enjoyable guided tours I’ve ever been on. They’re besties, so it felt less like a tour and more like we were all traveling together as friends.
I think the key is to really check what’s included in each tour package. I compared options on Klook, GetYourGuide, and booking directly. For some tours, one platform was cheaper than the others even though they offered the exact same experience.
Also, some tour packages didn’t include an English-speaking guide, so I felt like I was missing out on some really interesting stories. I tried using a translation app, but it didn’t work very well.
In the end, I recorded parts of it, but it wasn’t the same because I couldn’t fully follow along or see what they were pointing out in real time.
Travel Insurance – ¥14,990
I got PayPay travel insurance. I use PayPay a lot for payments because it’s so convenient—you can do everything directly in the app, including buying all types of insurance. That said, if you have a credit card, some of them already include travel insurance, so you might not need to purchase a separate policy.
As a Philippine passport holder, I was required to have travel insurance before applying for my Schengen visa. I applied through the Spanish Embassy, and they have a minimum insurance coverage requirement as part of the application.
Massage – ¥26,130
In Japan, you can usually get a one-hour massage for around ¥6,500. In the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, it’s much cheaper. I’d say Galicia—where I got my massages—falls into a more expensive category.
I ended up getting a massage twice: one and a half hour the first time, and one hour the second time.
Books (3) – ¥10,385
I couldn’t help it! I went to the oldest bookstore in the world and I can’t just leave empty handed.
Luggage Transfer – ¥7,376
I paid for luggage transfer during my Camino walk so I only had to carry a small bag. Some people say this is not the right way to do the Camino and that you should carry all your things. But the only thing you really need to remember is that you have to do your Camino, your way.
Other Expenses
Souvenir & Omiyage – ¥48,232
MISC- ¥30,000
E-sim for 30 days(Spain only) – ¥3,850
Medicine – ¥2,965
Charger – ¥1,447
Toilet use in Madrid & Portugal – ¥875
Click HERE for more detailed expenses spreadsheet.
Everything in Europe felt expensive—there’s really no other way to put it. I didn’t think I would buy much, but I ended up picking up things for friends, family, and co-workers along the way.
But I have no regrets about spending that much money on a once-in-a-lifetime trip like this. I don’t know if I’ll have another opportunity to do something similar anytime soon—it’s likely beyond my budget for now because I need to start saving toward a new goal for 2026.
I hope my spreadsheet gives you a clearer idea of the costs and makes planning a little easier. And if you do decide to embark on this journey, I AM EXCITED FOR YOU. I know you’re going to have an amazing trip.
Thank you for reading and being part of my little adventures.
Here’s to more trips, more memories, and more moments that make us feel alive.
Until next time —
Eat. Sleep. Travel. Repeat =)
#MarieJournals