Which place is cheaper, Santander or Braga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Braga or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Braga 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: Braga or Santander?
Braga
Located in the Cavado Valley of Northern Portugal, Braga is a medium sized city with both historical and modern characteristics. There is a university in town, known as Universidade do Minho, which gives the city a young feel with a lot of life. There are also many bars, clubs, and activities around to keep you entertained.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Porto, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, 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 dayBraga €112Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Braga is €112, 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 Braga and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBraga €54Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBraga €108Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Braga and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Braga 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: Braga Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Braga €20Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Braga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Braga:
- Braga Private Transfer:To/From the Oporto Airport: $102
- Traditional Vinho Verde Tour in Bowl with Private Transfer (Porto and Braga): $131
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
Is it cheaper to fly into Braga or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Braga 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 dayBraga €40Santander €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Braga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Braga.
- Small-Group Braga Food Tour With A Local Guide: $84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Braga €16Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Braga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Braga are as follows:
- Casa dos Coimbras ( Chapel and Tower ) ticket & drink: $5.35
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
- Braga Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tourer Hunt: $7.82
- Tuk Tuk City Tour: $16
- Bravaes Kayak Park Private Adventure: $38
- Small-Group Braga Half-Day Tour with Bom Jesus: $42
- Small-Group Braga Half-Day Tour with Bom Jesus: $43
- Guimarães Old Town Private Walking Tour: $54
- KAYAK TOUR I Descent of the River Lima in Kayak: $55
- Stand Up Paddle Tour: $55
- Lagoons and Waterfalls Tour - Serra do Soajo: $60
- Tour Soajo - Peneda-Gerês National Park: $60
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBraga €21Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Braga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Braga:
- Wine Tasting & Lunch | Quinta de Santa Cristina Vinho Verde: $50
- Green Wine Region-Small Group Tour with Lunch and Wine Tastings, from Porto city: $142
- Douro Valley Private Tour from Lunch & Wine Tour: $288
- Vinho Verde Private Wine Tour: $535
When comparing the travel costs between Braga and Santander, we can see that Braga 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 Braga Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Braga or Santander?
Santander has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Braga. When comparing the sizes of Braga 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 Braga 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 Braga or Santander in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Braga and Santander.
Braga is around the same temperature as Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Braga averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santander this time of the year. In Braga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Braga usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Braga gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Braga usually receives less rain than Santander. Braga gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBraga 21°C (69°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Braga or Santander in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Braga as well as Santander.
In the autumn, Braga is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Braga in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Braga often gets more sunshine than Santander. Braga gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Braga receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Braga usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Santander. Braga gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBraga 17°C (62°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Braga or Santander in the Winter?
Both Santander and Braga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In January, Braga is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 10°C (50°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Braga usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Braga gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. It's quite rainy in Braga. In January, Braga usually receives more rain than Santander. Braga gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBraga 10°C (50°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Braga or Santander in the Spring?
Both Santander and Braga during the spring are popular places to visit.
Braga is a little warmer than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Braga averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
It's quite sunny in Braga. In the spring, Braga often gets more sunshine than Santander. Braga gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 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 Braga. Braga usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Braga gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBraga 14°C (56°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Braga
| Braga | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 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.