This is true for students living in the city of Barcelona. Barcelona runs the gamut of being both affordable and expensive. It is possible, however, to enjoy your life as a student in Barcelona without income stress if you know how to manage expenses smartly. These tips on student cost of living in Barcelona will give you an idea of how much money you need to allocate to certain things to enjoy life in Barcelona as a student.
1. Lodging Accommodations
Depending on the area you are going to live in the city of Barcelona, rent can vary significantly. If you are looking for something affordable to live in, a good consideration would be a shared room with individual beds, you’ll be able to find something between €250 and €500 per person with utilities included (water, gas, electricity and internet).
The areas where you’ll find relatively cheap accommodations for students in Barcelona are Les Corts, Zona Universitaria and parts of Eixample.
2. Food – How To Live In Barcelona On A Student Budget
The average weekly cost for shopping per person (food and hygiene) is around €20 for the most careful spenders and €40 for an average spender. So you can make the math and keep a consideration of €100/month per person if you visit the more affordable supermarkets such as Mercadona, Consum, Lidl and Carrefour.
If you need to eat outside, know that the average cost of a meal is around €10 per meal, with half meals being around €6. Avoid fast food chains in Barcelona as much as you can because they are more expensive and of lower quality than most restaurants.
3. Transportation
Transportation will solely depend on where your usual destinations are (ie. Where your school is located). The distance you’ll travel will determine whether you engage in public transport. Instead of paying every time you can use the metro. Students can purchase a trimester travel card called T-Jove that costs €105 for 90 days of travel if you are under 25.
Another option is the city’s bicycle service, a bicycle rental scheme costing €47/year wherein you can rent a bicycle and go places in & around the city. Consider this if the travel distance is significant. Otherwise, the design of the city is such that its very ideal reach all major locations easily on foot.
These tips on how to live in Barcelona on a student budget will surely reprieve you of your expenses as a student and you’ll be able to focus on other more important aspects like your study & career in Barcelona.
For more on guide on students’ life in Barcelona and career options visit C3S Business School blog.
