Which place is cheaper, Santander or Caen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Caen or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Caen and Santander. 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.
Where Should I go: Caen or Santander?
Caen
Caen is a city in France on the coast in the Calvados department of Lower Normandy. Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried there. The town was destroyed almost completely in 1944 during WWII and it is a remarkable achievement that Caen has kept so many of its historical monuments given the terrible battle that besieged the town following the Normandy beach landings. After the war the town passed through 15 years of reconstruction, and continued to improve afterwards. In recent years the town has made further significant efforts and Caen now has an attractive, carefully restored, historic center. The city has also preserved the memory of its past by erecting a memorial and a museum dedicated to peace, the Memorial de Caen. The city is often considered the archetype of Normandy.
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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in 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 dayCaen €123Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Caen is €123, 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 Caen and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCaen €61Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCaen €122Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Caen and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Caen 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: Caen Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Caen €35Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Caen
Also for Caen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Caen Carpiquet Airport (CFR) to Caen - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Caen to Caen Carpiquet Airport (CFR) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer Round-Trip from Caen Airport (CFR) to Caen: $63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $252
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Caen or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Caen 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 dayCaen €40Santander €41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Caen €19Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Caen
For Caen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Memorial Museum Entrance Ticket: $21
- Caen Like a Local: Customized Guided Walking Tour: $51
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $59
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Caen: $60
- Private Guided Bike Tour of Cabourg and Dives in French: $74
- Guided Tour in an Old Convertible Car on the Côte de Nacre: $93
- Guided D-Day Sites Tour & Caen Memorial Museum Ticket: $127
- Mémorial de Caen Museum Admission and Guided Tour of D-Day Sites: $133
- Private Guided Walking Tour: $160
- Guided Tour of the Landing Sites and the Memorial of Caen: $191
- Small Group Guided D-Day Tour and Mémorial de Caen Museum: $201
- D-Day private tour Juno Beach departing Caen with audio guide. 2Pers. minimum: $268
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: $55
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Gastronomy tour: $120
- 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: $213
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCaen €17Santander €14
When comparing the travel costs between Caen and Santander, we can see that Caen 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 Caen Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Caen or Santander?
Santander has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Caen 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 Caen 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 Caen or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Caen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Caen is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 18°C (64°F), and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Caen. In the summer, Caen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santander. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.
Caen usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Santander. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCaen 18°C (64°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Caen or Santander in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Santander. Many visitors come to Caen in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions.
Caen is cooler than Santander in the autumn. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Caen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santander during autumn. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Caen usually receives less rain than Santander. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 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 OctoberCaen 12°C (54°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Caen or Santander in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Caen as well as Santander. Most visitors come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
Caen can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Caen is much colder than Santander. Typically, the winter temperatures in Caen in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Santander averages at about 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Caen often gets less sunshine than Santander. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Caen usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 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 JanuaryCaen 5°C (41°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Caen or Santander in the Spring?
Both Santander and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Caen because of the activities around the city.
In April, Caen is generally cooler than Santander. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 9°C (49°F), and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Caen usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Caen gets 171 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. In April, Caen usually receives less rain than Santander. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 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 AprilCaen 9°C (49°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Caen
| Caen | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (42°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (47°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.