A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cairo vs. Santander for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo or Santander?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Santander 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: Cairo or Santander?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Cairo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Santander is $116. 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 Cairo and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.36
    Santander $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Santander $110
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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.

Hotels in Cairo


Hotels in Santander


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.99
    Santander $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • Airport and excursion in Hurghada , Luxor or Cairo Transfer: $16
  • Cairo Airport Arrival Transfer: $20
  • Private Pickup transfer from Windsor Hotel Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx With Camel Ride,Lunch and Hotels Transfers: $27
  • Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
  • Private transfer from The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx Half Day Tour With Private Guide & Transfers : $135
  • Round-Trip Airport Transfer in Cairo or Giza: $49
  • Transfer from Anywhere in Cairo to Cairo International Airport: $25
  • Transfers From Cairo Airport: $10
  •  Private Transfer from/to Cairo International Airport: $26
  • 01 way Private Transfer from your Hotel in Cairo to Cairo Airport: $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Cairo 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
    Cairo $4.75
    Santander $44
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Cairo/Giza: Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show & Private Transfer : $9.63
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise, Belly Dancer Show With Pickup Service: $11
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
  • Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
  • VIP tour Giza pyramids ,Sphinx, Quad bike ,Camel, Dinner cruise : $19
  • Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $19
  • Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, Quad Bike, Night and Dinner Cruise on Nile: $19
  • Private Cairo Food Tour : $20
  • All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
  • Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise private tour from Cairo Giza hotels: $22
  • Private Cairo food tour and Egyptian tea: $22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $5.75
    Santander $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.84
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.49

Tours and Activities in Cairo

Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Dahshur Pyramids Entry Tickets: $4.25
  • Baron Palace Entry Tickets : $4.60
  • Cairo Shopping tour Private Papyrus Essential oils Bazar Cotton : $4.70
  • Prince Mohamed Ali Palace Entry Ticket: $4.80
  • 3-Hour Private Tour of Papyrus and Perfumes in Ancient Egypt: $5.00
  • All Inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara: $5.00
  • New Grand Egyptian Museum Tour with optional the pyramids tour..: $5.00
  • Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hasan Entry Ticket: $5.10
  • Baron Empain Palace Entry Tickets: $5.15
  • Serapeum Of Saqqara Entry Tickets: $7.00
  • Cairo Shopping Tour.: $7.00
  • Baron Palace Skip the line Access Entry Tickets: $7.08

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: $54
  • 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: $78
  • Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour: $82

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.17
    Santander $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Santander, we can see that Santander is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa and Santander is in Europe, 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Santander would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santander than you might in Cairo.

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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Santander?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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 Cairo or Santander?

Santander has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cairo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cairo or Santander in the Summer?

Both Santander and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year.

In July, Cairo is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 28°C (82°F), and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Santander. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Santander. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Santander in the Autumn?

Both Santander and Cairo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Cairo is a little warmer than Santander in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Santander. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Santander in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Santander. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round.

In the winter, Cairo is much warmer than Santander. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cairo in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Santander averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Santander. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Santander in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Santander. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Cairo is generally much warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 21°C (70°F), and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Santander. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santander. Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Cairo

Cairo Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)