Which place is cheaper, Santander or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Santander. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Santander?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens 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 Athens and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Athens and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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: Athens Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Santander €24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Athens to Piraeus (Athens) Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Private Athens International Airport to Piraeus Port Transfer: $80
- "Luxurious Transfer": $47
- AIRPORT TRANSFER in Athens : $28
- Airport Private Transfers: $79
- Airport Transfer: $109
- Airport Transfer/ Athens Greece: $28
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Business Car: $80
- Airport Transfer: Athens Airport ATH to Athens by Luxury Car: $126
- Airport Transfer: Athens to Athens Airport ATH by Luxury Van: $113
- Airport transfer: $131
- Arrival Private Transfer from Athens Airport ATH to Athens City by Minibus: $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Athens 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 dayAthens €37Santander €41
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $24
- Street Food Tour Market & City Centre: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $46
- Greek Street Food Tour: $51
- Athens Street Food Tour: Explore City's Iconic Eateries: $52
- Middle-eastern Cuisine Cooking Class with Meal: $52
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide and 7 Tastings: $57
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $60
- Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $63
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $63
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Classes in Athina: $64
- Light Lunch Tasting & Cooking Demo: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Meouzo Online City Tour: $3.20
- Self-guided First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $3.21
- Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour into Byzantine Gems: $4.60
- A Neoclassical Capital: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
- 360 Virtual tour of Ancient Athens: $6.00
- Herakleidon Museum of Ancient Greek Technology: Entry Ticket: $6.42
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Athens: $6.53
- Ancient Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Ancient Agora of Athens Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- The Best of Piraeus: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Greece: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $7.18
- Ancient Agora: Audiovisual self-guided tour with 3D models: $7.48
Tours and Activities in Santander
Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- From Cantabria Private Tour: $492
- From Gastronomic Tour: $128
- From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
- From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
- Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $55
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Gastronomy tour: $120
- Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
- Picos de Europa and Potes Guided Tour from Santander : $84
- Private Puente Viesgo Caves Full-Day Tour from Santander: $213
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $17
- Greek Wine Tasting: $23
- Premium Wine Tastings: $35
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
- Athens Wine Tasting: $44
- Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $52
- Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $52
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $53
- Greek food and wine tasting: $53
- Rare Greek Wine Tasting w/Sommelier by the Acropolis: $59
- Wine Tasting and Storytelling in a Historical Square in Athina: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Santander, we can see that Athens 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 Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens 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 Athens Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Santander?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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 Athens or Santander?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Athens or Santander in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Athens as well as Santander. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Athens is a little warmer than Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Santander. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Athens or Santander in the Autumn?
Both Santander and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Athens is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Athens in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Santander. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Athens or Santander in the Winter?
Both Santander and Athens during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Athens is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 10°C (51°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Santander. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.
Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Athens or Santander in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Santander. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Athens is a little warmer than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Santander. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Athens
| Athens | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 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.