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

Should you visit Cannes or Santander?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cannes and Santander can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Cannes or Santander?

Cannes

While Cannes was once little more than a small fishing village, today it is a popular, glamorous seaside town frequented by celebrities. It's the place to see and be seen, particularly during the Cannes Film Festival in the month of May. During this time the city comes alive with celebrities from all over the world. While Cannes has its share of exclusive clubs, bars and restaurants, there are alternatives for budget travelers, so don't shy away. There's a beautiful area, Le Suquet, which is nice to visit with its cobblestone streets and stunning views. It's also fun to pass some time people watching by the marina. You never know who you'll spot. At night, the city comes to life with casinos and luxurious restaurants and clubs that give the area a vibe of exclusivity.

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 Bicycle Tours in France, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Cannes?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cannes is €137, 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 Cannes and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cannes 75
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cannes 150
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Cannes and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Cannes 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 Cannes


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: Cannes Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cannes 16
    Santander 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cannes

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cannes:

  • Cannes Hotels to Nice Intl Airport NCE Departure Private Transfer: $87
  • Cannes Private Transfer from Cannes city centre to Nice Airport: $295
  • Cannes-Mandelieu Airport (CEQ): Transfer to Port de la Santé: $433
  • Private Transfer to/from Marseille: $310
  • Private Transfer to/from Monaco: $181
  • Private Transfer to/from Saint-Tropez: $225
  • Round-Trip Boat Transfer to Saint Tropez: $78
  • Copenhagen: One Way Transfer to & from International Airport: $71
  • Departure Transfer: Cannes to Nice Airport NCE in Business Car: $103
  • From 1-Way Private Transfer to Nice Airport: $128
  • Mandelieu to St Tropez Round Trip Ferry Transfer: $95
  • Private Direct Transfer From Cannes to Monaco: $139

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: $43
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251

Is it cheaper to fly into Cannes or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Cannes 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
    Cannes 45
    Santander 41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cannes 30
    Santander 18

Tours and Activities in Cannes

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

  • Cannes Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.84
  • Explore Guided walking Tour with a local guide: $37
  • Cannes Discovery: walking Tour Led by a Local Expert: $38
  • Scenic Coves RIB Boat Tour: $48
  • Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $48
  • Cannes Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $52
  • Guided Tour in Cannes by a Screenwriter: History, Glamour & Cinema: $55
  • 1 or 2-Hour Gyropod Tour: $58
  • Exclusive 2 hours City Tour in Cannes in a Vintage Bus: $64
  • City Tour in Cannes aboard our Classic French Bus!: $65
  • Half Day Tour in Cannes, Antibes and St Paul de Vence: $65
  • Cannes 2.5-Hour E-bike Tour: $74

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
    Cannes 18
    Santander 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Cannes

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cannes:

  • St Paul de Vence, Antibes & Wine Tasting from Cannes: $130
  • Grasse, Valbonne & Gourdon: Day Tour with Wine Tasting: $139
  • French Riviera: Provencal Wine Tours: $759
  • Wine Tasting, Cannes, Coco Chanel, Perfume Factory & Grasse: $1,273


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

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


Which is Bigger, Cannes or Santander?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Cannes 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 Cannes 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 Cannes or Santander in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cannes and Santander. The summer months attract visitors to Cannes because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cannes is a little warmer than Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In July, Cannes usually receives less rain than Santander. Cannes gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cannes 23°C (73°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Cannes or Santander in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cannes as well as Santander. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cannes this time of year.

In the autumn, Cannes is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cannes in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite rainy in Santander. Cannes receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cannes usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Cannes gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cannes 17°C (63°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Cannes or Santander in the Winter?

Both Santander and Cannes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cannes for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Cannes is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Cannes average around 9°C (48°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In January, Cannes usually receives less rain than Santander. Cannes gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cannes 9°C (48°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Cannes or Santander in the Spring?

Both Santander and Cannes during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cannes in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Cannes is a little warmer than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cannes usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Cannes gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cannes 13°C (56°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Cannes

Cannes Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 11°C (51°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 13°C (56°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 21°C (69°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 10°C (49°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)