By the pyreneestravel.com team · Updated 7 October 2026 · Planning
The Pyrenees are already better value than many mountain destinations. Here's how to stretch your budget further.
Getting there and around
- Compare flights into Toulouse, Barcelona, Biarritz, Pau, Lourdes, Bilbao and Zaragoza. Search flights.
- Book car hire early and avoid cross-border one-way fees.
- Use regional buses and trains: Lourdes–Cauterets, Toulouse–Andorra, Barcelona–La Molina.
Sleeping
- Stay in gîtes d'étape and mountain refuges.
- Campsites are plentiful and cheap.
- Travel in June or September for lower prices and fewer crowds.
- Base yourself in valley towns rather than ski stations.
Eating
- Eat your main meal at lunch: French 'formules' and Spanish 'menú del día' are great value.
- Shop at markets for picnic supplies.
- Tapas in Jaca or Benasque make a cheap dinner.
Activities
- Most hikes, including Gavarnie and Ordesa, are free (shuttle bus fees apart).
- Buy ski passes online in advance and look for multi-day deals.
- Choose smaller ski areas for cheaper passes.
- Andorra ski packages often include lifts, hotel and spa entry.
- Free foot baths in Ax-les-Thermes beat a spa ticket.
Plan your Pyrenees trip
Hotels, tours and transport in one place.
Header photo: Photo: Guillaume Baviere, CC BY-SA 2.0
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.