Living in a foreign country as an Erasmus student is about something more than just surviving, it is about living well, eating healthy, and making memories. The one common doubt for all coming students is: how to get the most from this amazing time just with a grant, that seems to be always too small?
It is important to familiarize yourself with the economic aspects and prepare your budget before starting your life on the paradise island.
Check out the general overview of the prices in GC (they may strongly vary)
- How expensive is Gran Canaria?
Living on the island may be associated with higher prices than on the mainland, but in reality, the prices don’t vary much. While certain goods and services may be priced slightly higher, the overall affordability of everyday expenses makes Gran Canaria an attractive and economically viable choice. This island is considered to be an affordable destination, especially when compared to many other European countries. As the Canary Islands are highly popular among tourists from all over the world, the prices may vary depending on the time of the year and places. While upscale or touristy areas may have higher living costs, the island’s diverse communities offer a range of options for individuals with varying budget considerations.
2. General costs of living
Check out a general overview of the various aspects of expenses that you must deal with while being a student on this paradise island.
- Accommodation
Gran Canaria offers a spectrum of accommodation options. As a student, you will probably consider renting a room instead of the whole flat. Rental prices for rooms in Las Palmas highly depend on the location, starting from €250 per month. If you prefer to live in the city center, close to the main beaches, the prices will be higher ( about 400 euro per month), but if you choose a room further from the city center, although closer to the university or old town, the price of the rent will be much cheaper.
- Transportation
Public transportation is not only efficient but also affordable. There are two types of public buses in Gran Canaria: yellow buses, which run only in the capital, and blue buses, which reach the entire island.
Yellow buses: One-way ticket costs €1.40, but it’s better to purchase a bono bus card that costs €10 and provides 20 trips. Students can also get another city bus card that costs €14 for 80 trips.
Blue buses: the prices of the tickets in blue buses vary on the length of the journey. To approximate the costs, we’ll take the example of a trip from Las Palmas to Puerto de Mogan, which is on the opposite side of the island and costs €7.
*If you manage to get Canarian residency, you can get a bus card that costs 15 euro and travel as much as you want on both types of buses!
- Food
Gran Canaria offers very cheap products as well as luxury ones. Monthly grocery expenses range from €100 to €180, depending on the quality of food you buy or shops you choose (the cheapest supermarkets are Mercadona and Hiperdino).
- Restaurants, bars and clubs
Dining out doesn’t always have to be expensive and unaffordable for students. In Gran Canaria, you can find many budget-friendly and cozy restaurants. Taking into consideration casual dinner out, you will pay from 8 to 15 euros for a meal.
Las Palmas as a student’s city, offers plenty of bars with cheap beer and drinks. Normally you will pay 1.50 – 3 euros for a small beer or 2.50 – 4 euros for a big one, the drinks cost from 5 to 8 euros, and around 2 – 4 euros for a typical Spanish sangria.
Although usually you need to pay to enter the club, you always get a drink that is included in the price.
*Get Ellp membership virtual card and enjoy more for less! This card gives you discounts to many restaurants, bars, cafes and more…. https://erasmuslifelaspalmas.com/membership-join/
- Entertainment, activities and trips
Enjoying the natural beauty of Gran Canaria comes without a hefty price tag. Manyattractions, from beaches to hiking trails, are accessible at little to no cost. Overall, Gran Canaria is often perceived as offering a balanced and accessible range of entertainment, activities, and trips for individuals with varying budget considerations. You can also take part in the trips and activities organized by locals, which gives you the best opportunity to meet new people, get to know unique places, and have a lot of fun for the best price!
Check upcoming trips and events here: https://localbirdinternational.com/experiences/
3. Is it possible to survive on the island just with the grant from Erasmus+ without any additional support?
Summing all costs of living in Gran Canaria, it’s fair to say that an average student can survive just with a grant from Erasmus+ (assuming that the amount is 550-600 euro per month). Living frugally is one option, but to fully immerse oneself in the vibrant student experience and take advantage of all the island has to offer, proactive budgeting or seeking supplementary financial assistance may be necessary.
Despite potential variations in prices, the overall cost of living in Gran Canaria is reasonable, making it an economically viable choice. Accommodation, public transportation, and daily expenses like groceries and dining out are affordable. Enjoying the island’s natural beauty, entertainment, and activities comes at little to no cost. While it’s possible to survive on the Erasmus+ grant, fully immersing in student life may require proactive budgeting or additional financial support. Gran Canaria offers a balanced and accessible lifestyle for students with diverse budget considerations.
Visit our social media and get more info about Las Palmas at these links!
ELLP homepage: https://erasmuslifelaspalmas.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erasmuslifelaspalmas/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erasmuslifelaspalmas
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erasmuslifelaspalmas
ELLP Housing club: https://instagram.com/ellp.housing