A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bodrum vs. San Sebastian for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bodrum or San Sebastian?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bodrum and San Sebastian can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Bodrum or San Sebastian?

Bodrum

Bodrum is a city on the Bodrum Peninsula, stretching from Turkey's southwest coast into the Aegean Sea. The city features twin bays with views of Bodrum Castle. This medieval fortress was built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, completed in the 4th century B.C. The city is also a gateway for nearby beach towns and resorts. Although more than a million tourists flock to its beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and clubs each summer, the town of Bodrum (ancient Halicarnassus) never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside getaway, it has an enigmatic elegance that pervades it. The evocative castle and the ancient ruins around town also help keep Bodrum a discerning step above the rest.

San Sebastian

San Sebastián is a city in northern Spain very well known for its summertime fun in the sun. While the streets are cool and happening at night, they take on a different charm by day. Beautiful beaches line the city's edge, right next to elegant historic architecture and churches, topping charts as some of the best city beaches in Europe. The food, too, is said to be some of the best with traditional Basque cuisine as well as the popular pintxo (tapas) bites. San Sebastián is a place of lively culture, teeming with beauty, flavors, and colors.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Anzac Day Tours in Turkey, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Turkey, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian or Bodrum?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bodrum is $92, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is $96. 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 Bodrum and San Sebastian in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bodrum $48
    San Sebastian $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bodrum $96
    San Sebastian $86
Compare Hotels in Bodrum and San Sebastian

Looking for a hotel in Bodrum 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.

Hotels in Bodrum


Hotels in San Sebastian


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: Bodrum Hotel Prices and San Sebastian Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bodrum $24
    San Sebastian $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodrum

Also for Bodrum, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Bodrum to Bodrum Milas Airport (BJV) - Departure Private Transfer: $19
  • İzmir Airport - Kuşadası / İzmir Center : Private Transfer: $24
  • Bodrum to Bodrum Milas Airport (BJV) - Departure Private Transfer: $25
  • Boat Cruise with Lunch and Optional Hotel Transfer: $27
  • From Ferry Transfer to Kos: $27
  • Turkish Bath and Spa Expereince with Hotel Transfers: $30
  • From Private Village Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $34
  • Bodrum Traditional Turkish Bath Experience With Hotel Transfer: $35
  • Independent Day Trip to Kos Island from Bodrum with Transfers: $36
  • Bodrum Milas Airport (BJV) to Bodrum Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
  • From Kos: A day ride to Bodrum with comfortable transfer: $39
  • Bodrum Quad Safari Tour With Free Hotel Transfer By Locals: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:

  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Vitoria: $291
  • San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $273
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Bilbao Airport: $268
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $268
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $247
  • Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $245
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to San Sebastian City: $84

Is it cheaper to fly into Bodrum or San Sebastian?

Prices for flights to both San Sebastian and Bodrum 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
    Bodrum $24
    San Sebastian $33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bodrum

For Bodrum, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class in Authentic Etrim Village: $44
  • Christmas Dinner at Karnas Vineyards: $104
  • Farmers Market visit & Turkish Cooking Class: $125
  • Bodrum Market Visit and Cooking Class: $128
  • Bodrum Vineyard Tour with Dinner and Wine Pairing: $128
  • Food and Wine pairing Dinner at Karnas Vineyards Bodrum: $131
  • Bodrum Cooking Class: $174
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour in Bodrum With Dinner: $221
  • Shore Excursions - Istanbul by Night: Turkish Food Tour: $252
  • Private Vineyard Tour with Dinner Under the Stars in Karnas: $291
  • From Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner & Swimming: $320
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour with Dinner: $368

Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian

Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:


  • Dinner for 2
    $59
  • Lunch for 2
    $11
  • Lunch for 2
    $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Sebastian

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.

  • San Sebastian Walking and Food Tour: $104
  • Insider Best Culinary Gems Guided Food Tour in San Sebastian: $109
  • Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $148
  • Full Day San Sebastian Food Tour : $150
  • I travel for Food Tour in San Sebastian: $152
  • Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $152
  • Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $158
  • Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $213
  • Food tour in San Sebastian and Visit to a Gastronomical Club: $224
  • History and flavors of San Sebastian for Dinner with Eskerne Falcón: $235

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bodrum $31
    San Sebastian $36

Tours and Activities in Bodrum

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bodrum.

  • Muğla: Quick Tour, Essentials of Muğla: $6.00
  • Daily Boat Tour (Orak Island) around Bodrum and Black Island Coves : $19
  • Beaches and Islands Boat Tour with Lunch: $20
  • Orak Island Boat Tour with Swim Stops and Lunch: $24
  • Orakadasi Boat Tour From Bodrum (Maldives of Turkey) With Lunch: $25
  • Bodrum Black island Tour: $26
  • Bodrum Village Tour with Group: $26
  • Blue cruise around Bodrum bays: $28
  • Black Island Boat Tour with Lunch: $30
  • Turkish Bath Experience: $31
  • Boat Tour for Mein Schiff Cruise Passengers: $32
  • Half Day Guided Knidos Ancient City Tour: $35

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Sebastian

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:


  • Valle de los Caídos Monument
    $6.43

Tours and Activities in San Sebastian

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:

  • Biarritz & La Côte Basque Private tour: $246
  • Biarritz and French Coast Small Grop Tour from San Sebastian: $86
  • Bilbao city and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $164
  • Chef-Led Market Tour & Pintxo Lunch: $163
  • Chef-Led Walking Pintxo Tour of San Sebastián : $272
  • Cider House Experience From San Sebastian: $120
  • City tour, bike ride: $45
  • City tour, by electric bicycle: $50
  • Coastal "Winery Camino Trail" Walking Tour from San Sebastian: $186
  • Electric scooter city tour: $45
  • Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour with Discover San Sebastian: $191
  • Exclusive Private Pintxos Adventure with Premium Spanish Wines": $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bodrum $14
    San Sebastian $21

Sample the Local Flavors in San Sebastian

Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening): $141
  • Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $148
  • Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $191
  • Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $240
  • Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $251
  • Full Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from San Sebastian Private Tour: $298


When comparing the travel costs between Bodrum and San Sebastian, we can see that San Sebastian is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Bodrum or San Sebastian?

San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bodrum. When comparing the sizes of Bodrum 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.


When is the best time to visit Bodrum or San Sebastian?

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 Bodrum or San Sebastian in the Summer?

Both San Sebastian and Bodrum during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Bodrum is a little warmer than San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in Bodrum averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Bodrum usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Bodrum gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bodrum 27°C (81°F) 
    San Sebastian 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Bodrum or San Sebastian in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bodrum and San Sebastian. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.

In the autumn, Bodrum is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bodrum in October average around 19°C (66°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).

San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bodrum usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Bodrum gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bodrum 19°C (66°F) 
    San Sebastian 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Bodrum or San Sebastian in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bodrum as well as San Sebastian. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Bodrum is generally a little warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Bodrum average around 10°C (50°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Bodrum receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bodrum usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Bodrum gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bodrum 10°C (50°F) 
    San Sebastian 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Bodrum or San Sebastian in the Spring?

Both San Sebastian and Bodrum are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the spring for the beaches.

Bodrum is a little warmer than San Sebastian in the spring. The daily temperature in Bodrum averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In April, Bodrum usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Bodrum gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bodrum 15°C (59°F) 
    San Sebastian 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Bodrum

Bodrum San Sebastian
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 8°C (47°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 147 mm (5.8 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 10°C (51°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 115 mm (4.5 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 155 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 184 mm (7.2 in)