Bottom Line: Is Andorra Expensive to Visit in 2024?
Is Andorra expensive to visit? Is Andorra cheap? Andorra is a small country tucked away in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. And if you’re ready to pay a visit to this often overlooked country, you may be wondering what to expect expense-wise. To help you budget for your vacation in Andorra, I’ll be answering these questions and more based on my experiences visiting this beautiful country.
Is Andorra Expensive to Visit? (2024)
For those just discovering the small principality, Andorra is known for its stunning mountainous landscapes, many popular ski resorts, and for being a major tax haven with very generous policies, similar to Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. With this information in mind, your initial thought may be that Andorra is just another tiny country that caters to the rich and is expensive to visit.
This is where you would be both right and wrong lol. Andorra certainly has a higher concentration of very wealthy people as it’s pretty attractive to live there — no political instability, nice weather, beautiful scenery, etc. But, what may surprise you is that Andorra is relatively inexpensive to visit. It’s similar to Monaco in this regard.
For a better idea, here are some reference points of places I have personally traveled to. Compared to places in Eastern Europe, such as Zagreb, Ljubljana, and Budapest, Andorra is just a teeny tiny bit more expensive. Most everything you buy is about 10% more expensive in Andorra, so it’s noticeable but not significant.
Meanwhile, if you evaluate Andorra against places in Western Europe, such as Geneva, Milan, Lyon, and Paris, Andorra prices will feel like you’re receiving a half-off discount on everything. That said, Paris and Geneva are on the list of the most expensive places in Europe, so anywhere is going to seem cheap compared to them.
The only area that serves as an exception to this Western European trend is Portugal and Spain. A vacation in cities like Bilbao, Barcelona, and Madrid will cost you approximately the same as a short getaway in Andorra. And then compared to the Scandinavian region, Andorra is so much more affordable. In Andorra, I spent probably a third of what I did in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo.
How Expensive Is Andorra?
At this point, you might be wondering, “How expensive is Andorra?” I mean, the information above is only useful if you’ve been to the countries I listed above, and it’s not that particularly great for creating a budget, right?
So, to give you tangible numbers that you use to make a budget, I’ll be talking about the average prices you can expect to pay as well as the actual prices I paid for accommodation, food, and tourist attractions in Andorra. And, of course, I’ll be throwing in some helpful tips on generally visiting Andorra. So, with that, let’s jump in!
How Much Is Accommodation in Andorra?
With the country’s small size, accommodation in Andorra is much more limited. There are about 380 hotels and only a handful of hostels spread throughout the country. Meanwhile, major cities such as Paris and Milan have over a thousand hotels, and you instantly get filled with analysis paralysis trying to decide which one to pick.
This is one of the reasons that I love Andorra… it’s much easier to research and find a hotel that fits your needs. And for me, the place I choose to stay at is the Barri Antic Hostel & Pub. This hostel/hotel only cost me USD 53/night and the views alone made the price worth it. See the picture below for proof…🤩 And, you can read a full review of my stay here. But, in general, accommodation in Andorra is a fraction of the price of most other places.
🇦🇩 Money Saving Tip: For those who love to travel but are doing so on a shoestring budget, consider Couchsurfing and staying with a local! It’s still alive and well, and I loved my experience doing it.
Cost of Accommodation in Andorra
Here are specific numbers that you can expect to pay depending on the type of accommodation you opt to stay in. Youth hostels in Andorra cost either about $25 or $47 USD per night. This is because there are exactly three hostels: Font Andorra Hostel, Secret Spot Hostel (both in Massana parish), and Mountain Hostel Tarter, which is in the Canillo parish.
A low-cost 1,2, or 3 hotel costs about $50 – $100 per night. That said, there are a couple of abnormally expensive 3-star hotels, like Sport Hotels Resort & Spa… but this is because it’s freaking gorgeous and perched high up in the mountains.
Highly rated 4-star hotels typically cost about $80 – $110 per night, which is a freaking steal. Imagine having access to a spa, hot tub, free breakfast, and amazing views for less than $100 a night. I can’t even find a 2-star hotel in Paris at that price. 🥲
Finally, for a luxury stay at a 5-star hotel in Andorra, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 – $275 USD per night. They are mostly concentrated in Andorra la Vella, the country’s capital, and Canillo, where you’ll find the big, fancy ski resorts. The one thing I say is that if you’ve always wanted to stay in a luxury hotel and be pampered… there’s ✨almost✨ no better place to go in Europe than Andorra!
🇦🇩 NOTE: Please remember, these average prices were based on the assumption you’re visiting during non-peak travel seasons. During the summer months & December/January, prices increase tend to go up quite a bit. Even so, Andorra is relatively cheaper than most other places in Western Europe.
Need Accommodation in Andorra?
If you’re planning your trip and haven’t figured out your housing situation… here are some of my recommendations based on where I stayed and my outside research. These are all located in Andorra la Vella since that’s where most tourists go and where I stayed. But, feel free to use the buttons or the interactive map to scout out other housing options within Andorra if you’re visiting a different parish.
Low-Cost Stay
- Barri Antic Hostel & Pub — A hostel & hotel I loved | ⭐️ 9.2 / 10
- Hotel Yomo Cèntric — 4-star hotel in middle of downtown | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10
Mid-Range Stay
- Hotel Starc by Pierre & Vacances Premium — Great 4-star hotel | ⭐️ 9 / 10
- Hotel Metropolis — Excellent 4-star hotel right on Valira River | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
Luxury Stay
- Grand Plaza Hotel & Wellness — Most popular 5-star hotel | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
- Andorra Park Hotel — 5-star hotel located in the Old Town area | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
You can input your specific travel information to see more accurate pricing since this reflects the pricing of hotels right now.
Are Andorra Tourist Attractions Expensive?
Similar to the housing situation, most Andorra Tourist attractions are relatively inexpensive or completely free. For example, some of the more common things to do include exploring St. Esteve of Andorra Church, touring the inside of Casa de Vall, and taking advantage of duty-free shopping.
On top of that, there are also a few different hiking trails worth checking out for those wanting to explore the outdoors. One low-effort trail I thoroughly enjoyed hiking is the Rec del Sola trail. It’s completely flat and offers gorgeous views of Andorra from above.
Another popular tourist attraction is Caldea Spa, which is located in Les Escaldes — a short walk from downtown Andorra la Vella. Here, you’ll find an assortment of thermal spas, saunas, and massage treatments, perfect for relaxing during your travels.
For adults, the minimum entrance fee is €40, which is on the pricey side if you’re comparing rates at the Zakopane Thermal Baths. But, I’ve paid $62 for a similar experience in Zurich, Switzerland, so €40 for 3 hours of complete relaxation is not particularly expensive either.
And then, of course, you have skiing and snowboarding. This is what attracts thousands of tourists to the tiny country during the winter months. The two most popular ski resorts are Grandvalira and Arinsal Ski Resort, which tend to be on the more expensive side.
Overall, I’d budget about $10 – $15 USD per day for tourist attractions if you don’t plan on visiting Caldea or skiing.
How Expensive Is Food in Andorra?
For the most part, the cost of food in Andorra is pretty similar to the cost of food in Bilbao, Spain. Not too expensive but not dirt cheap. I’ve honestly got nothing bad to say other than some of the portion sizes were tiny, but that might have just been the restaurant I was at.
If you’re keen on eating at a cheaper spot, there are a few places in downtown Andorra la Vella, near the main shopping avenue. For example, one worth checking out is K L’Irina. They offer a decent variety of menu items for quite affordable prices.
Or check out, Restaurant PLAT´IN, which is a relatively inexpensive restaurant that offers a three-course meal for about €18. And let me tell you, you could never find a place offering a starter, main course, and dessert for that price in Milan!
And if you’re interested in eating at a nicer, more expensive restaurant, there are a few in Andorra la Vella’s Old Town (Barri Antic). Just make reservations in advance if they allow it because I did not… As a result, I was turned away the first night from two places since they were fully booked.
How Much Is a Meal in Andorra?
According to the data, your average meal in Andorra costs $13 or €12 at a cheaper restaurant. And looking at my expense sheet, this is pretty accurate with the amounts I paid.
Meanwhile, if you want to dine at a nicer restaurant, expect to spend anywhere from €30 – €50 on average. The most I paid for a meal in Andorra was €30, but I am pretty small and didn’t order drinks… Thus, if you’re choosing to dine at a regular restaurant that’s not particularly fancy, I’d budget about €40 – €50 per day you spend in Andorra. This is assuming you eat a light breakfast and don’t go crazy on the drinks!
How Much Does Andorra Public Transport Cost?
With Andorra being such a mountainous country, the only public transport option is the bus. Buses go to each of the seven parishes in Andorra and can come as frequently as every 20 minutes or as infrequently as once an hour. The price of public transport in Andorra is not expensive and varies depending on the distance you need to go. For short rides, it can be as cheap as €1.30 one way, while longer trips may cost up to €5.50.
During my trip, I didn’t use the bus, aside from entering and leaving Andorra. The country is so small that you can comfortably walk between some of the neighboring parishes. For instance, I spent a day walking all over Andorra la Vella. At some point, I entered the neighboring parish, Les Escaldes. I only realized I did when I finally looked at my Google Maps… Therefore, you can comfortably stay in Andorra la Vella for a couple of days without using public transport.
But, if you want to visit other parishes further away, I would take the bus or a taxi. Andorra is hills upon hills… Or, you can join a little electric mountain motorcycle tour to explore Andorra in a short amount of time. Again, I didn’t do this but it’s something I plan on looking into to see more of Andorra the next time I’m there!
✅ 🚵♂️ Check rates & availability for the fun electric mountain motorcycle tour through Andorra
Is Andorra Expensive: FAQ
I found visiting Andorra well worth it. It was a much-needed break from the chaos of big cities and the surroundings were unbelievably beautiful. But, if you’re unsure, I wrote a post about the good and bad of Andorra to help you decide if Andorra is worth it for you.
I recommend spending at least a full day in Andorra. Again, the country is small, so you don’t need a ton of time. But, if you want to hit the trails and see more than the city area, aim for three full days in Andorra!
Yes, you can most definitely do a day trip to Andorra. I find that this is what most people who visit Andorra do. You can also day trip from Toulouse in the Southern region of France. Alternatively, the more popular option is to visit Andorra as a day trip from Barcelona! You can read more about how to easily pop over to Andorra from Barcelona here.
This depends on your financial background, but Andorra can be fairly cheap for a holiday. If you take the bus in and out of Andorra, transport will cost you about USD 80. Nice housing can be as cheap as USD 50/ night. Then, you just have to pay for food.
Aside from what I mentioned earlier, some places to visit in Andorra include Mirador Andorra, which offers a lovely panoramic view of Andorra. There are also a few museums, such as Museo Carmen Thyssen Andorra. You can even find some via ferratas, but those should only be done with a guide.
Wrap-Up: Is Andorra Expensive to Visit? (2024)
To summarize, Andorra is not expensive to visit compared to most other places in Western Europe. And, with its stunning views of the Pyrenees mountains, good selection of low-cost accommodation options, and many things to do, it’s an ideal destination for travelers looking for a unique experience without causing too much damage to their bank accounts! So, if you’re looking to explore a region that’s largely unknown to most, Andorra is a place to consider visiting!
