A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arles vs. Santander for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arles 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 Arles and Santander can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Arles or Santander?

Arles

Arles is a city (and commune) in the south of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhone department. A large part of the Camargue is located on the territory of the commune, making it the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory. The city has a long history, and was considerably important in the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. The Roman and Romanesque Monuments of Arles were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1981. The Dutch post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh lived in Arles from 1888 to 1889 and produced over 300 paintings and drawings during his time there. The Arles area is full of culture and rich in history. It has many treasures, points of interest, and colorful sunbaked houses and is a great introduction into the Camarguais culture.

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 Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to France, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Arles?

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 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 Arles and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arles 71
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arles 142
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Arles and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Arles 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.

Hotels in Arles


Hotels in Santander


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: Arles Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arles 23
    Santander 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arles

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arles:

  • Arles to Marseille Airport (MRS) - Departure Private Transfer: $117

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: $252
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Arles or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arles 52
    Santander 41
Typical Food Prices in Arles

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arles:


  • Cooked Clams
    4.50
  • Ice Cream
    1.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arles 31
    Santander 18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arles

Here are a few typical costs in Arles for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Castle Entrance Fee
    5.50

Tours and Activities in Arles

Here are a few actual costs in Arles for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Provence Region Roman Abbey of Montmajour Entrance Ticket: $7.64
  • City tour 45mn of the city, its history, its monuments,: $70
  • City tour 1 hour of the city, its history, its monuments,: $84
  • From Avignon: Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence & Saint-Rémy Tour: $106
  • Arles 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $187
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour: $201
  • Half Day Private Guided Tour of Arles: $202
  • Private Guided Tour of Arles: $218
  • Art and History Walking Tour: $299
  • Arles Private guided walking tour from Marseille: $342
  • Arles, Saint-Rémy & Les Baux De Provence: Guided Tour: $1,176

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: $55
  • 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: $79
  • Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour: $82

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arles 24
    Santander 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Arles

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Arles:

  • Lavender Field & Distillery Tour between Nimes & Arles: $6.20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arles and Santander, we can see that Arles 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 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 Santander.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arles Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Arles or Santander?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Arles 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 Arles 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 Arles or Santander in the Summer?

Both Santander and Arles are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Arles because of the family-friendly experiences.

Arles is a little warmer than Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Santander. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. Arles usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Arles gets 354 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Arles usually receives less rain than Santander. Arles gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Arles 24°C (75°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Arles or Santander in the Autumn?

Both Santander and Arles during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In the autumn, Arles is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arles in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Arles often gets more sunshine than Santander. Arles gets 178 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Arles. Arles usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Santander. Arles gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Arles 16°C (61°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Arles or Santander in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Arles and Santander. Many travelers come to Arles for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Arles is generally cooler than Santander. Daily temperatures in Arles average around 7°C (44°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Arles usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Arles gets 146 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, Arles usually receives less rain than Santander. Arles gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Arles 7°C (44°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Arles or Santander in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Arles as well as Santander. Many visitors come to Arles in the spring for the natural beauty.

Arles is a little warmer than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Arles averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arles this time of the year. In the spring, Arles often gets more sunshine than Santander. Arles gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santander. Arles usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Arles gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Arles 13°C (56°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Arles

Arles Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 7°C (44°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 10°C (50°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 60 mm (2.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 24°C (75°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 11°C (51°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)