Alright folks, let’s get straight into how I actually pulled off that Barcelona and Girona trip without drowning in debt. No fluff, just what I did step by step.
Step 1: Finding a Stupid Cheap Flight (Took Forever!)
Right, I knew flying straight into Barcelona could hurt the wallet. So, I got ruthless. I spent like three evenings glued to my laptop, digging through EVERY cheap flight website. My trick? I searched for flights landing in nearby cities too, not just Barcelona itself. Ended up finding this ridiculously cheap ticket into… wait for it… Girona! It was some weird budget airline with zero legroom, but hey, the price was right. Booked it immediately before it vanished.
Step 2: Sleeping Cheap Without the Bed Bugs (Hopefully)
Hostels? Yeah, obviously. But Barcelona hostels near the center cost way more than I wanted. So I widened the net. I found this place just outside the absolute city center, near a metro stop. Took like 15 minutes to get into the thick of things, but shaved off a chunk of cash. Double-checked the reviews for mentions of cleanliness and secure lockers – non-negotiable! Booked a bunk bed in a shared dorm. Privates were out of the question for my budget.
Step 3: Barcelona on a Shoestring (Walking My Socks Off)
Forget taxis. Forget the hop-on-hop-off bus. My legs became my best friends.
- Picasso Museum? Free entry every Thursday afternoon. Jam-packed? You betcha. Worth the chaos? Totally.
- Sagrada Familia? Didn’t go inside. Sounds crazy? Probably. But walking all the way around it, gaping at the insane details from every angle? Free and breathtaking.
- Food? Found this local market. Bought fresh bread, cheese, chorizo, fruit – BAM! Lunch picnic in a park for way less than a sit-down meal. Tapas? One place let us stand at the bar for cheap beers and patatas bravas.
Hit the metro only when utterly knackered or going really far. Used the T-casual 10-ride ticket – much cheaper per trip.
Step 4: The Day Trip to Girona? Actually Staying There!
This was the real hack. Remember my flight landed IN Girona? Instead of rushing off to Barcelona the first day, I planned to stay overnight in Girona at the start of the trip. Got off the plane, dumped my bag at a cheap central hostel (much cheaper than Barcelona!), and had a whole day and evening to explore without the crowds. Wandering the medieval walls (free!), getting lost in the Jewish Quarter, finding that famous bridge spot for photos – all super chill. Saved a fortune on a day trip train ticket that I didn’t need to buy!
Step 5: Getting to Barcelona (The Cheap Scenic Route)
Next morning, no rush. Grabbed a coffee and pastry. Then walked to the bus station right near my hostel. Hopped on the slow regional bus to Barcelona Estació del Nord. Yeah, the train is faster. But the bus? Like half the price. Took about an hour and twenty minutes. Plugged in headphones, looked at the countryside, easy. Budget saved again.
Step 6: Souvenirs & Winding Down
Didn’t buy trashy keychains. Found a small local artist selling cool prints near the Gothic Quarter – something unique. Mostly, I just soaked it all in. Walked Barceloneta beach at sunset (free entertainment!), found a tiny bar for a final cheap beer, and people-watched. Flew back out of Girona super early with zero regrets.
Final Tot-Up: It wasn’t glamorous. I walked miles. Slept in a bunk bed. Picnicked like a student. But experiencing those amazing cities without the insane price tag? Absolutely priceless. And proven doable! Just gotta be flexible and sometimes, choose the slower bus.