Surviving abroad is admirable. This is the time in our lives when we have to do laundry, cook to not starve, clean our room and keep up with our life as well. Plus, each of us has a different adaptation process, and you can’t predict how and when it will hit you. Adapting to your new routine in Madrid is fun, but exhausting sometimes. Also, traveling abroad is expensive, and navigating through the city without going to bankruptcy is art. Here are some tips that helped me survived my time in this loud and amazing city: 

1. Grocery shopping: My To-go supermarket is “Mercadona”. It’s all over Madrid and you will most likely have one near by your apartment. This is the supermarket where you will find everything you are looking for, for the best price and a good quality. Mercadona is the most affordable supermarket in Spain and will help you to save some money during your grocery shopping.
2. Transportation ticket: If you’re under 26-years old, you could save a lot of money in transportation in Madrid. Instead of paying €55 a month for only one zone of the public transportation, you could pay €20 a month to use ALL types and all zones of the Madrid’s public transportation. All you have to do is apply for the bono card in the designated metro stations (I used Avenida America metro station). Ask your program about getting the “Bono transporte” and they should be able to help you.
3. Eating outside: Madrid has amazing restaurants, city views, Terrazas and much more. However, if you want to save money, you could still afford to eat out. Most of the restaurants in Madrid have what they call “Menu del Día”. They out together a different menu with 3 or 4 options for the first plate, 3 or 4 options for the second plate, dessert and a drink, and prices go from €10 to €15 person person. Just ask for “el menu del día” during week days and they will gladly show you. Also, if you like Mediterranean food, find a Turkish place nearby, small businesses have €3 kebab, and they are delicious!

There are more tips that I want to share with you, next post will be a continuation…