Which place is cheaper, Santiago de Compostela or Braga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Braga or Santiago de Compostela?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Braga or Santiago de Compostela? 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 Santiago de Compostela?
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.
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.
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 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBraga €112Santiago de Compostela €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Braga is €112, while the average daily cost in Santiago de Compostela is €91. 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 Santiago de Compostela in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBraga €54Santiago de Compostela €37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBraga €108Santiago de Compostela €74
Compare Hotels in Braga and Santiago de Compostela
Looking for a hotel in Braga or Santiago de Compostela? 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 Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Braga €20Santiago de Compostela €38
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 Santiago de Compostela
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:
- Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $38
- Airport Transfer Santiago de Compostela: $45
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $51
- Airport transfer Santiago de Compostela: $71
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer to SCQ Airport by Van: $91
- Arrival Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela Airport to City Center by Minivan: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Braga or Santiago de Compostela?
Prices for flights to both Santiago de Compostela 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 €40Santiago de Compostela €19
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
Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:
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Raspberries€3.50
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Ice Cream€2.00
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Cookie€1.00
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Kebab€7.25
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Dinner & Tapas (for 2)€28
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Tuna Empanada€3.50
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Fruit Shake€3.50
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Crepe€4.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Braga €16Santiago de Compostela €39
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 Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Old Town of Santiago de Compostela Walking Tour: $1.09
- Secrets of A Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Secrets of Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Old town walking tour with an Official Guide: $11
- Guided Tour of the Old Town with an Official Guide: $11
- Hostal de los Reyes Católicos Tour: $13
- Land of Legends & Meigas Night Tour: $13
- Night Tour Land of Legends and Meigas: $13
- Queimada Experience Show and Tasting: $16
- Museum Tour of Galician Culture: $16
- Santiago: Cathedral & Museum Tour & Pórtico of Glory Option: $16
- Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and Museum Guided Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBraga €21Santiago de Compostela €23
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:
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1 Pint Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela
Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $31
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $32
- Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $33
- Premium Porto Santiago Compostela tour lunch & wine tasting: $214
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Braga and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Braga is more expensive. And not only is Santiago de Compostela much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santiago de Compostela would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago de Compostela 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 Braga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Braga than you might in Santiago de Compostela.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Braga Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Braga or Santiago de Compostela?
Braga has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Braga and Santiago de Compostela, 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 Santiago de Compostela?
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 Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Braga and Santiago de Compostela. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.
In July, Braga is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 21°C (69°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santiago de Compostela this time of the year. In Braga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Braga usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during summer. Braga gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Braga usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Braga gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBraga 21°C (69°F)Santiago de Compostela 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Braga or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Braga as well as Santiago de Compostela. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Braga is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Braga averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Braga often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Braga gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. Braga receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Braga usually gets more rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Braga gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBraga 17°C (62°F)Santiago de Compostela 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Braga or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?
Both Santiago de Compostela and Braga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Braga is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Braga in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Braga usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Braga gets 124 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. It's quite rainy in Braga. In January, Braga usually receives more rain than Santiago de Compostela. Braga gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBraga 10°C (50°F)Santiago de Compostela 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Braga or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?
Both Santiago de Compostela and Braga during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Braga is generally around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Braga average around 14°C (56°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
It's quite sunny in Braga. In the spring, Braga often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Braga gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Braga. Braga usually gets more rain in April than Santiago de Compostela. Braga gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBraga 14°C (56°F)Santiago de Compostela 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Braga
| Braga | Santiago de Compostela | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 128 mm (5 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.