The Real Cost of Getting Absolutely Wrecked in Ibiza for a Week
Look, we're not going to sugarcoat this: Ibiza will financially devastate you. The White Isle has earned its reputation as Europe's premier party destination through decades of separating lads from their hard-earned cash, and in 2025, that tradition is stronger than ever. But here's the thing – you're going to love every expensive, sun-soaked, bass-heavy minute of it.
This isn't some bargain-basement piss-up in Magaluf where a tenner gets you three pints and a questionable kebab. Ibiza operates on an entirely different economic plane, one where a single vodka Red Bull costs more than your weekly food shop. Yet every summer, hundreds of thousands of people willingly mortgage their financial futures for seven days of hedonistic bliss. Let's break down exactly how much damage you're looking at.
Where You'll Crash Between Sessions
First things first: you need somewhere to sleep off the previous night's carnage. The good news is Ibiza caters to every budget level, from skint students to Premier League footballers on their summer holidays.
Budget hostels in San Antonio will run you £30-50 per night. You'll be sharing a room with strangers who snore, the air conditioning will be temperamental at best, and the shower pressure will be pathetic. But honestly? You'll barely be there. You're not flying to Ibiza to admire the thread count on your bedsheets.
Mid-range hotels and Airbnbs (£100-200/night) offer the sweet spot for most punters. You get your own space, decent facilities, and crucially, somewhere you can bring someone back without six other lads judging your chat-up lines. San Antonio and Playa d'en Bossa are your best bets here – close enough to the action without paying the Ibiza Town premium.
For the flash gits among you, luxury options start at £300+ per night. We're talking rooftop pools, sea views, and the kind of bathrooms that are bigger than most London studio flats. If you've just closed a massive deal or your crypto finally came good, go wild. Everyone else: this is where your money could be better spent on actual experiences rather than fancy towels.
Pro tip: Stay slightly further from the main strips and you'll save a fortune. A 15-minute taxi ride is nothing when you're saving £50+ per night on accommodation.
The Damage: Where Your Money Actually Disappears
Right, let's talk about the elephant in the room: club entry fees. The superclubs – Pacha, Amnesia, Ushuaïa, Hï – aren't messing about. Expect to drop £50-80 per ticket, and that's if you buy in advance. Rock up on the night and you're looking at £100+. These aren't just clubs; they're full-scale production spectacles with world-class DJs, and you're paying for the privilege.
Then there's the VIP table situation. If you've ever fancied spending more on a single night than most people's monthly rent, this is your moment. Tables start at around £1,000 and climb rapidly into the stratosphere. You get bottle service, a dedicated area, and the satisfaction of watching everyone else queue for the bar. Is it worth it? That depends entirely on how much you enjoy showing off.
Now for the truly painful part: drinks. A vodka Red Bull will set you back £15-18. A beer? £12-15. A bottle of water (because you're being sensible and staying hydrated)? £8. Do the maths on a proper night out and you're easily dropping £100-150 just on keeping yourself lubricated. This is why you see groups of lads necking supermarket vodka in their hotel rooms before heading out – it's not classy, but it's financially necessary.
Getting Your Arse Around the Island
Airport transfers will cost you £20-40 each way unless you've pre-booked. Taxis between party hotspots aren't cheap either – San Antonio to Playa d'en Bossa is about £30-40, and surge pricing during peak hours is real.
Your saviour? The Disco Bus. For a few euros, it runs between all the major clubs and towns throughout the night. Yes, you'll be sardined in with sweaty ravers, but you'll also save a small fortune. Plus, the journey itself becomes part of the night's entertainment.
Scooter rentals (£30-50/day) are brilliant for exploring the island during your recovery days, but only if you're actually sober. Ibiza's roads are unforgiving, and the local police have zero sympathy for hungover tourists who think they're in a Fast & Furious film.
Food, Recovery, and Life's Little Extras
You need to eat, even if your stomach is staging a rebellion. Budget eating means supermarket supplies and the occasional kebab (£8-12). Mid-range restaurants will cost £20-40 per meal, while beach clubs can easily hit £50-100 for lunch with drinks.
Hangover recovery is a legitimate budget category. Paracetamol, electrolyte drinks, greasy breakfasts – it all adds up. Budget £10-20 daily for feeling human again.
Beach club day beds are where daytime drinking happens. Expect £40-80 for a bed, with minimum spends on food and drink that'll push your daily total to £150-200. It's expensive, but lying by a pool with a cocktail while a DJ spins house music is peak Ibiza.
Then there are the inevitable losses: sunglasses that'll disappear, phones that'll take a dip in the pool, that extra round you bought for strangers at 4am when you were feeling generous. Factor in at least £100 for miscellaneous carnage.
The Real Numbers: What You're Actually Spending
The Skint Student (£500-800 total)
- Hostel accommodation
- Pre-drinking heavily, minimal club visits
- Disco Bus everywhere
- Supermarket meals
- One or two big nights out maximum
- This is survival mode, but you'll still have stories
The Standard Lad (£1,500-2,500 total)
- Decent hotel or Airbnb
- Three to four proper club nights
- Mix of taxis and Disco Bus
- Eating out most days
- A beach club session or two
- This is the realistic budget for a proper Ibiza experience
The Big Spender (£5,000+ total)
- Luxury accommodation
- VIP club access
- Taxis everywhere
- Beach clubs daily
- Bottle service and showing off
- Living like you've just signed for Manchester United
Making Your Money Last (Without Being Tight)
Buy club tickets in advance online – you'll save 30-40% versus door prices. Pre-drink strategically but don't be that guy who's too wrecked to get into the club. Use the Disco Bus for at least some journeys. Eat a proper meal before heading out so you're not spending £15 on chips at 3am.
Most importantly: set a realistic budget and stick to it. Ibiza has a way of making money evaporate, and the last thing you want is to be rationing your final two days because you went too hard on night one.
The White Isle isn't cheap, and it never will be. But if you plan properly, you can have the week of your life without requiring a second mortgage. Just remember: the memories are priceless, even if the vodka Red Bulls definitely aren't.