Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian or Arles?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Arles and San Sebastian can help you decide which place is right for you.
Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.
San Sebastian is a splendid, outdoorsy, and fun-filled city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Travelers will usually find more to do in San Sebastian than Arles, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Sebastian is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Arles is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. San Sebastian is more touristy than Arles and is known for its many Michelin-starred restaurants, its world class beaches, and its beautiful buildings. It is also home to La Concha Bay. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Sebastian and Arles. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Arles is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, San Sebastian is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around San Sebastian. Head to Castillo de la Mota for nice views and walks. Museo San Telmo offers an overview of Basque culture and Palacio de Miramar is another interesting place to visit.
San Sebastian is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
San Sebastian has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It is a famed culinary capital of not just Spain, but the entire world. The city has many Michelin-starred restaurants where you can experience modern or traditional recipes prepared by world class chefs. There are also pintxo bars, food markets, and gourmet food shops, that sell local ingredients and dishes. Much of the cuisine includes seafood, but you'll also find a local twist on traditional tapas. Dining is a true experience in this town.
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).
San Sebastian is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.
San Sebastian is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You can expect a lively nightlife scene around town with many bars and places to hang out. Some of the best nightlife is found in and around Parte Vieja, Centro, Reyes Católicos and Gros.
If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.
San Sebastian is very good for its resorts. However, Arles is not a resort destination.
San Sebastian has a few great resort options. It's both a city and a resort vacation destination with many beachside resorts that are popular during the summer months.
Arles is not a resort destination.
San Sebastian is well known for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.
San Sebastian is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The city has three urban beaches that are a huge attraction during the summer months. For surfing and a lively atmosphere, head to the Playa de la Zurriola. The playa de la Concha is the most photographed and famous beach in town and Ondarreta is another beautiful option.
Arles is not a beach destination.
Arles is very popular for its old town. However, San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.
Arles has a world-famous historical area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.
San Sebastian does not have a historic old town.
San Sebastian is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in San Sebastian. A mix of familiar brands and locally made items make shopping a fun activity. You'll also find many artisan food shops around town where you can take home some local wine or other culinary treats.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.
San Sebastian is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.
San Sebastian is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. This city is surprisingly family-friendly. Not only is there the beach, but there are playgrounds everywhere. There's also the fun Monte Igueldo San Sebastian Amusement Park and the San Sebastian Aquarium. You could also take a boat ride or explore the many parks and gardens around town. And, of course, there are the many ice cream shops to check out.
For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.
Both Arles and San Sebastian are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.
Couples visit Arles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.
San Sebastian is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. With its nice beaches, stunning view points, and world class restaurants, this city makes an excellent couple's destination. There are Michelin star restaurants to dine in and many parks and gardens where you can take a stroll as well.
San Sebastian is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.
San Sebastian is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town, and you'll find enough other backpackers looking to meet up so you'll never be lonely.
Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.
San Sebastian is well known for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.
San Sebastian is very popular with students. There are good educational programs in town, as well as nice beaches and a good student population. The locals are also welcoming and friendly.
Arles is not popular with students.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Arles and San Sebastian.
You'll find some public transit in Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.
While San Sebastian offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive bus system around town that's operated by Dbus.
Arles and San Sebastian both are excellent when exploring on foot.
Arles is a very walkable destination. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.
San Sebastian is very walkable. It's a great city for walking, with many pedestrian areas and places where you can take a stroll along the river or seaside.
For even more information, also check out Is Arles Worth Visiting? and Is San Sebastian Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Arles and San Sebastian. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Sebastian than in Arles. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Arles, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Sebastian.
Families should spend more time in San Sebastian than Arles. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Sebastian, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in San Sebastian than Arles. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Sebastian that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Sebastian than Arles if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Sebastian.
Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Arles. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.
In San Sebastian, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this splendid destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Arles. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Sebastian. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming destination of Arles. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
San Sebastian is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of San Sebastian. Lots of people come for the food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful town of Arles. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
You'll find food and shopping around the splendid destination of San Sebastian. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Arles is €142, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is €89. 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 Arles and San Sebastian in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Arles or San Sebastian? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arles:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
Prices for flights to both San Sebastian and Arles 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arles:
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.
Here are a few typical costs in Arles for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Arles for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Arles:
Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arles and San Sebastian, we can see that Arles is more expensive. And not only is San Sebastian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Sebastian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Sebastian 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 Arles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arles than you might in San Sebastian.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arles Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.
San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Arles and San Sebastian, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and San Sebastian. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Arles is generally a little warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 24°C (75°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Sebastian this time of the year. In Arles, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arles usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during summer. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Arles usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Arles as well as San Sebastian. Many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Arles is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the autumn. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Arles often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Arles gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Arles usually gets less rain in October than San Sebastian. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both San Sebastian and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Arles is cooler than San Sebastian. Typically, the winter temperatures in Arles in January average around 7°C (44°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Arles usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during winter. Arles gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In January, Arles usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both San Sebastian and Arles during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches.
In April, Arles is generally around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 13°C (56°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
It's quite sunny in Arles. In the spring, Arles often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun.
San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Arles usually gets less rain in April than San Sebastian. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Arles | San Sebastian | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 7°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
May | 17°C (63°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
Nov | 11°C (51°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) |