Which place is cheaper, San Diego or Bilbao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and San Diego. 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.
Bilbao is a friendly, industrial, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
San Diego is a relaxed, outdoorsy, and idyllic coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
You'll generally find more things to do in San Diego than Bilbao. San Diego is bigger than Bilbao, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Diego is better known for its food, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bilbao is more popular for its historical sights and shopping. San Diego is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. Also, San Diego is famous for The San Diego Zoo. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Diego and Bilbao. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Bilbao and San Diego.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bilbao. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.
San Diego offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.
San Diego is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in San Diego. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.
Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.
Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bilbao and San Diego.
Bilbao is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.
Many people head to San Diego for the nightlife scene. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.
San Diego is well known for its live music scene. However, Bilbao is not a live music destination.
Music is a popular form of entertainment in San Diego. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.
Bilbao is not a live music destination.
San Diego is a good destination for its resorts. However, Bilbao is not a resort destination.
With a selection of resorts, San Diego makes a nice vacation spot. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.
Bilbao is not a resort destination.
San Diego is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in San Diego. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.
Bilbao is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beache. However, Bilbao is not a beach destination.
San Diego offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.
Bilbao is not a beach destination.
Bilbao is a good destination for its old town. However, San Diego does not have a historic old town.
Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Bilbao. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.
San Diego does not have a historic old town.
San Diego is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Bilbao is not a hiking destination.
You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around San Diego. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.
Bilbao is not a hiking destination.
Bilbao is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its shopping areas.
Bilbao is well-known for its shopping. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.
Many visitors go to San Diego to go shopping. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.
San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, San Diego is very family-friendly. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.
Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.
San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.
San Diego is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.
Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.
Bilbao and San Diego are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Plenty of backpackers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers visit San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.
San Diego is an amazing coastal city to visit for students. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
San Diego is a very popular place to visit for students. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.
It's common for students to visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.
Bilbao is great for times when you don't have a car. However, San Diego is not a good destination for its public transit.
The public transit in Bilbao can get you around easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.
Public transit is generally limited in San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.
Bilbao and San Diego both are notable when exploring on foot.
Bilbao is a somewhat walkable place. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.
San Diego is a somewhat walkable city. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.
For even more information, also check out Is Bilbao Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.
In either Bilbao or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than Bilbao because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Bilbao, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.
Families should spend more time in San Diego than Bilbao. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Diego, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in San Diego than Bilbao. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Diego that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Diego than Bilbao 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 Diego.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bilbao. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of San Diego. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial destination of Bilbao. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
San Diego is a great place to explore. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Bilbao. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Diego. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Bilbao is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic destination of San Diego. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is $147, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $202. 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 Bilbao and San Diego in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Bilbao or San Diego? 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 Bilbao:
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both San Diego and Bilbao 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe and San Diego is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bilbao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bilbao 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego than you might in Bilbao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bilbao Expensive? and Is San Diego Expensive?.
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao and San Diego, 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 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.
Both San Diego and Bilbao during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
Bilbao is around the same temperature as San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.
Bilbao usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and San Diego. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Bilbao is cooler than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bilbao in October average around 16°C (62°F), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bilbao usually receives more rain than San Diego. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as San Diego. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Bilbao is generally much colder than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 9°C (48°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the winter, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.
Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than San Diego. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both San Diego and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Bilbao is cooler than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It's quite sunny in San Diego. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than San Diego. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Bilbao | San Diego | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
May | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
Oct | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |