Which place is cheaper, Santander or Alicante?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Alicante or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Santander can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Alicante or Santander?
Alicante
Alicante is a gorgeous coastal city in the Costa Blanca region, on the east coast of Spain. The region is famous for its white sandy beaches, the party-haven of Benidorm and the stunning palm tree-lined boulevard in the city of Alicante. I have been visiting Alicante for close to 20 years, so, it has become almost a second home to me. Here are my top tips to have the best vacation in Alicante.
Santander
Santander is the capital of the Cantabria Region which runs along the northern coast of Spain. Located right on the bay, it is a place of many historic churches and a handful of interesting museums that range from archaeological discoveries of the region, to maritime history, and cultural features like bullfighting. There is also a large selection of beaches for those looking for a more relaxing getaway in the sun and sand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlicante €127Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Alicante is €127, while the average daily cost in Santander is €108. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Alicante and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlicante €42Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlicante €84Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Alicante and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Alicante or Santander? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Alicante Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alicante -Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alicante
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alicante:
- Albir: Alicante Airport (ALC) Private Transfer: $90
- Alicante Airport (El Altet) (ALC) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Alicante Hotels): $78
- Alicante Airport(ALC) to Alicante City: Arrival Private Transfer: $33
- Alicante to Alicante Airport (ALC)- Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Airport Transfer Alicante - Valencia: $201
- Bullring and Castle Guided Tour with Taxi Transfer: $74
- Private transfer Alicante Airport - Altea Hills: $94
- Calpe: Alicante Airport (ALC) Private Transfer: $111
- Private Roundtrip Transfer from Alicante Airport ALC to Alicante: $65
- Private Transfer - Alicante Airport (ALC) to Alicante Cruise Port: $39
- Private Transfer - Alicante Cruise Port to Alicante Airport (ALC): $39
- Private Transfer from Alicante (ALC) Airport to Hacienda Riquelme Golf Resort: $180
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Alicante or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Alicante change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAlicante €72Santander €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alicante
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alicante.
- Secret Flavors Food Tour: $31
- Paella and Sangria Cooking Workshop: $60
- Paella and Sangría Cooking Workshop: $64
- Central Market Guided Food Tour with Tapas Bars: $70
- Alicante Food Tour: $71
- Fuse Spanish With Italian For Dinner In Mutxamel: $89
- Alicante PRIVATE Food Tour With Locals: 10 Food & Drink Tastings Included: $136
- Cooking Class with Private Chef and Local Wine: $176
- Alicante cooking class with a private chef: $180
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alicante €53Santander €18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Alicante
Here are a few typical costs in Alicante for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Food and Tapas Tour (for 2)€54
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Catamaran Cruise (for 2)€67
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Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)€120
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Walking Tour (for 2)€60
Tours and Activities in Alicante
Here are a few actual costs in Alicante for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour of Alicante Bullring & Bullfighting Museum with Audioguide: $9.81
- Tour de historias y leyendas del Castillo de Santa Bárbara: $13
- Alicante Discovery Tour from Benidorm: $28
- Seven Secrets of Alicante Discovery Tour: $31
- Alicante Historic Small Group Tour with Tapas Tasting: $32
- Alicante Food and Tapas Tour with a Local Guide : $32
- City. Discover Alicante by E-Bike & walking tour: $32
- Calas and Beaches E-Bike Tour with Snorkeling: $32
- City and Beach Bike Tour: $32
- Alicante City & Beach Bike Tour : $33
- 2-Hour Late Afternoon Catamaran Cruise: $34
- Highlights Bike Tour: $34
Tours and Activities in Santander
Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
- From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Guided Tour by Electric Bike: $53
- Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $54
- From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
- Santoña: Anchovy Factory Tour and Boat Trip: $70
- Tour to the Towns of the Western Coast of Cantabria: $78
- Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlicante -Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Alicante
Also in Alicante, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santa Bárbara Castle Wine Tasting with Cold Cuts: $28
- Vineyards of Wine Tasting Tour: $73
- Alicante Wine Tour with Wine Tasting : $74
- Private Tour of Vinalopó Castles and Wine Tasting: $82
- Food Walking Tour with Wine Tasting and Tapas: $144
- Alicante Wine Tasting and Tapas for Foodies: $147
- Total Alicante walking tour, tapas and wine tasting: $267
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alicante and Santander, we can see that Alicante is more expensive. And not only is Santander much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santander would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santander and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Alicante would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alicante than you might in Santander.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alicante Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alicante or Santander?
Alicante has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Santander, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Alicante or Santander?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Alicante or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Alicante is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Santander. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Alicante usually receives less rain than Santander. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlicante 25°C (77°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Alicante or Santander in the Autumn?
Both Santander and Alicante during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Alicante this time of year.
In October, Alicante is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the autumn, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Santander. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.
Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Alicante usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlicante 20°C (68°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Alicante or Santander in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Santander. Many travelers come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Alicante is a little warmer than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Alicante usually receives less rain than Santander. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlicante 11°C (52°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Alicante or Santander in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Santander. Many visitors come to Alicante in the spring for the beaches.
In the spring, Alicante is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the spring, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Santander. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Alicante usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlicante 16°C (60°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Alicante
| Alicante | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.