vs
Madridis 36% cheaper — BDI "Pricey" (30/10) vs London "Pricey" (37/10). Dorms avg $29/night vs $35/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🌍 London
🇪🇸 Madrid
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★
24 hostels, avg 8.7 rating
★★★★★
20 hostels, avg 9.2 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $115/night
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $149/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★
Coffee $5.35, dorms avg $29
★★★★★
Coffee $2.98, dorms avg $35
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★
Beer $8.76, 24 hostels
★★★★★
Beer $4.13, 20 hostels
First-time Europer
★★★★★
27 attractions
★★★★★
25 attractions
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🌍 London | 🇪🇸 Madrid | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
Shoestring Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $75 | $48 cheaper | $27/day |
Comfortable Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $119 | $75 cheaper | $44/day |
Flashpacker Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $175 | $117 cheaper | $58/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🌍 London | 🇪🇸 Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $26.96 | $17.68 34% less |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $53.91 | $35.37 34% less |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $8.76 | $4.13 53% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $5.35 | $2.98 44% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $4.72 | $1.77 63% less |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🌍▼
London
England
37
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $29/night). Strong hostel scene (24 hostels).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelOnefam Notting Hill (9.6)
Annual dorm avg$29/night
Total hostels24
🇪🇸▼
Madrid
Spain
30
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $35/night).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelOnefam Sungate (9.9)
Annual dorm avg$35/night
Total hostels20
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🌍 London
🇪🇸 Madrid
🇪🇺 EU / EEA
No data
Visa Free (90d)
🇺🇸 US
No data
Visa Free (90d)
🇬🇧 UK
No data
Visa Free (90d)
🇦🇺 Australia
No data
Visa Free (90d)
🇨🇦 Canada
No data
Visa Free (90d)
Flights
Getting There
City to City
Getting Between London & Madrid
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🌍 London
11°C
High
/
3°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 44mm/month
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
🇪🇸 Madrid
15°C
High
/
5°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 47mm/month
Best months: Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Things To Do
Top Attractions
🌍 London
1. Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount AlanbrookeFree
2. Anglo-Belgian War MemorialFree
3. Battle of Britain MemorialFree
4. Douglas HaigFree
5. MontyFree
🇪🇸 Madrid
1. Monumento a Claudio MoyanoFree
2. Museo Casa de la MonedaFree
3. National Archaeological Museum of SpainFree
4. Homenaje a las víctimas españolas que muri…Free
5. Monumento a José Calvo SoteloFree
Common Questions
FAQ
Is London or Madrid cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in London vs Madrid?+
Do I need a visa for London or Madrid?+
When is the best time to visit London or Madrid?+
What's the cheapest month to visit London and Madrid?+
Keep Exploring
People Also Compared
Ready to book?
Plan a trip to both cities
Full itinerary with real-time flights, hostels & transport — built on our 64k+ price index.
Build Your Itinerary →Free · No account required · Results in under 30 seconds