Which place is cheaper, Santander or Biarritz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Biarritz or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Biarritz or Santander? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Biarritz or Santander?
Biarritz
Biarritz is an elegant seaside town on southwestern France's Basque coast that has been a popular resort since European royalty started visiting the area in the 1800s. It is located on France's Atlantic Coast in the Bay of Biscay. Half ritzy coastal resort, half summer surfer's hang-out, the seaside resort of Biarritz has been a favorite seaside getaway ever since Napoleon III and his Spanish-born wife Eugenie arrived during the mid-19th century. To entertain her court, the empress built a grand palace, which is now a luxurious hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant. Other than this exquisite villa by the sea, the names of the streets in Biarritz also hint at the city's royal past: Avenue de l'Imperatrice, Avenue de la Reine Victoria, and Esplanade Elizabeth II. Mansions decked with steeples and spectacular windows recall the city's 19th-century splendors. Though the royal influence of Biarritz has faded, the city is still a popular tourist destination for those looking for a classic summer holiday. Pristine sandy beaches, beautiful coastal villas, and stylish restaurants offer a sophisticated ambience. Wide seafront promenades and well-placed benches allow visitors to soak up the stunning natural landscape. Biarritz is also the capital of surfing in Europe.
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 Tours for Seniors to France, The Best Contiki Tours to France, 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 dayBiarritz €131Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Biarritz is €131, 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 Biarritz and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBiarritz €74Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBiarritz €148Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Biarritz and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Biarritz 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: Biarritz Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Biarritz €39Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Biarritz
Also for Biarritz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer BIQ Airport to Biarritz by Luxury Vehicle: $85
- Biarritz : Optimized transfer to/from Bordeaux: $749
- Biarritz : Private transfer to/from airport & train Station: $70
- Chauffeured Transfer between Biarritz Airport, Train Station and City Center: $71
- Private Transfer from Biarritz city to San Sebastian : $167
- Private Transfer from Biarritz city to San Sebastian Airport: $167
- Private transfer from Biarritz BIQ airport to San Sebastian: $229
- San Sebastian: Optimized transfer to Biarritz & surroundings: $262
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Biarritz or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Biarritz 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 dayBiarritz €34Santander €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Biarritz
For Biarritz, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Biarritz Food Tour Gastronomique- Taste 10 Basque specialties: $76
- Bayonne Food Tour: Journey Through Flavors (with food and drinks): $97
- Traditional Bayonne Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
- Basque Country Food Tour: $240
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Biarritz €16Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Biarritz
For Biarritz, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Pierre IBAIALDE: Guided Tour Ham Workshop, tasting: $5.46
- City Exploration Game & Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.45
- Walking tours of Biarritz: $22
- E-bike Guided Tour With Sunset local Aperitif Ride: $32
- E-bike Guided Tour to Small California: $37
- Basque tour of Biarritz: $49
- Unusual Guided Tour in a Segway in Biarritz: $59
- Biarritz guided walking & gourmet tour: $74
- Bayonne Food Gastronomic Tour - Taste 10 Basque specialties: $97
- Guided Tapas Tour Hondarribia from Hendaye with Food and Drinks: $108
- Private E-bike Guided Tour: $155
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: $54
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Gastronomy tour: $119
- 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: $212
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBiarritz €8.05Santander €14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Biarritz and Santander, we can see that Biarritz 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 Biarritz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Biarritz 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 Biarritz Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Biarritz or Santander?
Santander has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Biarritz. When comparing the sizes of Biarritz 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 Biarritz 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 Biarritz or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Biarritz during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.
In the summer, Biarritz is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Biarritz in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Biarritz. In the summer, Biarritz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santander. Biarritz gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.
Biarritz usually gets more rain in July than Santander. Biarritz gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBiarritz 20°C (68°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Biarritz or Santander in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Biarritz and Santander. Many travelers come to Biarritz for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.
In October, Biarritz is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Biarritz average around 16°C (60°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Biarritz usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Biarritz gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Biarritz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Santander. Biarritz gets 155 mm (6.1 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 OctoberBiarritz 16°C (60°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Biarritz or Santander in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Biarritz as well as Santander. Many visitors come to Biarritz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Biarritz is around the same temperature as Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Biarritz averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Biarritz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santander. Biarritz gets 85 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the winter. Biarritz usually gets more rain in January than Santander. Biarritz gets 183 mm (7.2 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 JanuaryBiarritz 8°C (47°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Biarritz or Santander in the Spring?
Both Santander and Biarritz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Biarritz for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.
In the spring, Biarritz is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Biarritz in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).
Biarritz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santander during spring. Biarritz gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. It's quite rainy in Biarritz. In April, Biarritz usually receives more rain than Santander. Biarritz gets 163 mm (6.4 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 AprilBiarritz 12°C (54°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Biarritz
| Biarritz | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.