Fair prices in Spanien — what things really cost

Official black-and-yellow taxis from the airport rank use the meter plus a fixed airport supplement. Use only the marked rank, and expect a modest surcharge for the airport and luggage on top of the meter.

The Aerobus links both airport terminals with the city centre quickly and cheaply. A great value option; buy your ticket at the machine or online rather than expensive taxis.

Buy a multi-trip T-Casual card for the best per-ride price, though note it is for one person only and cannot be shared. One journey covers metro and bus connections within the time limit.

Eat a couple of streets back from La Rambla and the beachfront for better food and prices. Check the menu for a cover or bread charge before ordering.

Coffee is cheap in neighbourhood cafes. Prices rise sharply on the main tourist streets and terraces, so a short walk usually means a better price.

Order a few plates to share at a busy local bar for great value. Be aware that some places near the sights charge premium prices for basic tapas.

The weekday set lunch is one of Spain's best food deals, usually including several courses and a drink. Look for it chalked outside local restaurants around midday.

The airport bus is the cheapest link between Federico Garcia Lorca (GRX) airport and the city, timed to flights and stopping near the cathedral, Gran Via and the bus station. Buy the ticket from the driver and keep small change ready.

Official taxis run on the meter from the rank outside arrivals, with a set airport supplement and higher night and weekend rates. Fine for groups or late arrivals; confirm it is metered and expect a little more after 10pm.

Buy only from the official Alhambra website or app; tickets are capped and sell out days or weeks ahead. Ignore resellers and 'skip the line' touts charging large mark-ups, and bring the ID used to book, as it is checked at entry.

Cave shows vary widely in price and quality. Book a well-reviewed venue directly, check whether a drink or hotel pickup is included, and be wary of touts on the street promising a 'special' show for a vague price.

A sit-down meal is good value, and a weekday menu del dia (set lunch) is the cheapest way to eat well. Prices near the Alhambra and main squares are higher, so walk a few streets into the Albaicin or Realejo for better value.

Granada is one of the last Spanish cities where each drink comes with a free tapa, so a few bars can add up to a full meal. You usually cannot choose the tapa; letting the bar decide is part of the fun and keeps it free.

Coffee is cheap and standing at the bar costs less than a table on a famous square. Try a traditional Arab tea house in the Albaicin for mint tea and pastries, which costs a little more for the setting.

Buy the standard ticket online to avoid the queue. Several major museums offer free entry during set evening hours, so plan your visit around them if you are watching costs.

Official taxis charge a set flat fare between the airport and the central zone. Confirm the driver is applying the fixed rate and refuse invented extras beyond luggage or agreed supplements.

The Metro is cheap, clean and covers the whole city. A rechargeable card or a multi-trip ticket lowers the per-ride cost and works on buses too.

The weekday set lunch is the best value meal in Spain, usually a starter, main, drink and dessert for one modest price. Look for it chalked outside neighbourhood restaurants.

Eat a street back from the main squares for better food and prices. Terraces on famous plazas charge a premium for the location, not the cooking.

Order a cana, the small draught beer, rather than a pint to drink like a local and pay less. Many bars still bring a small free tapa with each drink.

Coffee standing or at the counter is cheaper than a terrace table. A cafe con leche is the everyday choice and rarely costs much away from the tourist squares.

The suburban C1 train is the cheapest and often fastest link between the airport and the centre, reaching Malaga Centro-Alameda in about twelve minutes. Buy a ticket from the machine, keep it to exit the barriers, and mind your bags in busy carriages.

The EMT Line A bus runs a direct route from the airport to the city centre and port every fifteen to twenty minutes. Pay the flat fare in cash on board or with a transport card. A good option with luggage if you are heading to the seafront.

Official white taxis charge a regulated minimum fare from the airport to the centre, higher in the evening, at night and on weekends and holidays. Use only the marked rank outside arrivals, check the tariff card, and refuse anyone touting a ride inside the terminal.

A sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant is good value away from the busiest tourist streets. Look for a weekday menu del dia (fixed-price lunch) for the best deal, and check whether bread and couvert are charged separately.

Malaga's old bodegas serve small tapas with a glass of local sweet or dry wine for very little. A tapeo (tapas crawl) across a few classic bars is the cheapest and most enjoyable way to eat. Standing at the bar is often cheaper than a table.

At a beach chiringuito, a skewer of sardines grilled over an open fire costs only a couple of euros and is a Malaga essential. They taste best from May to August. Order a couple of skewers with a cold drink rather than a full sit-down fish platter to keep it cheap.

Coffee is inexpensive and comes in many local styles, from a short solo to a milky nube. A coffee taken standing at the counter is cheaper than one on a busy square. All are normal prices, not a tourist trick.

The special airport bus (line EA) links San Pablo airport with the centre for a flat low fare, running roughly every 15 to 30 minutes. Pay the driver by card or cash, or buy online, rather than taking a taxi.

Seville airport taxis charge a fixed fare to the centre, with a higher rate at night, weekends and holidays. Luggage is included, so agree it is the official fixed fare and use only the marked rank.

A single TUSSAM bus, tram or metro ride is cheap; a rechargeable travel card lowers the per-ride price further. The compact centre is often quicker to cross on foot than to wait for transport.

Eat a few streets back from the cathedral and Plaza de Espana for better food and prices. Check whether a cover or bread charge is added before you order.

Coffee is cheap in neighbourhood cafes and dearer on the main tourist terraces. A short walk from the sights usually means a noticeably better price.

Order a few tapas to share at a busy local bar for great value and atmosphere. Some places by the sights charge premium prices for very ordinary plates, so pick where locals eat.

The weekday set lunch is one of Spain's best food deals, usually several courses with a drink. Look for it chalked up outside local restaurants around midday.

Metro lines 3 and 5 link the airport with central stations in about 25 minutes for a low fare plus a one-off reusable card. Far cheaper than a taxi and usually just as quick to the core.

Airport taxis charge a set flat fare to the central zone, with small supplements at night, on Sundays and for luggage. Use the official rank and check it is the flat fare rather than a negotiated price.

A single metro or EMT bus ride is cheap; a rechargeable SUMA card lowers the per-ride cost. Flat central Valencia is often quicker by bike or on foot than waiting for transport.

Eat a few streets back from the Central Market and the beach promenade for better food and prices. Check for a cover or bread charge before ordering.

A glass of horchata with a plate of fartons to dip is a cheap, essential Valencia treat. The historic horchaterias in the centre and in nearby Alboraia serve the best.

Real paella is a midday dish, cooked to order for two or more, so prices are usually per person with a two-person minimum. Eat it at lunch, not dinner, and be wary of cheap 'ready-made' tourist paella.

The weekday set lunch is excellent value, usually several courses with a drink. Look for it chalked outside local restaurants around midday, away from the main tourist streets.