Which place is cheaper, Santander or Chania?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chania or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania or Santander, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Chania or Santander?
Chania
Chania is a city on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. Chania is Crete's most evocative city, with its pretty Venetian quarter, crisscrossed by narrow lanes, culminating at a magnificent harbor. At the harbor entrance is a 16th-century lighthouse with Venetian, Egyptian, and Ottoman influences. On the other side, the Nautical Museum has model ships, naval objects and photographs. The former monastery of St. Francis houses the Archaeological Museum of Chania. Remnants of Venetian and Turkish architecture abound, with old townhouses now transformed into atmospheric restaurants and boutique hotels. Although all this beauty means the old town is packed with tourists in summer, it's still a great place to unwind. The Venetian Harbor is super for a stroll and a coffee or cocktail. Plus it’s got a university and a modern area to the city, which means that it retains its charm in winter. Indie boutiques and an entire lane dedicated to leather products provide good shopping and, with a multitude of creative restaurants, you’ll likely have some of your best meals on Crete here.
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 Adventure Tours to Greece, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece, 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 dayChania €93Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Chania is €93, 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 Chania and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChania €46Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChania €92Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Chania and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Chania 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: Chania Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chania €15Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chania
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chania:
- Arrival Transfer Chania Airport to Chania, Rethimno or Heraklion: $25
- Bali: Shared Transfer from Chania/Heraklion Airport to Bali: $33
- Balos Beach Private Roundtrip Transfer with Free Time: $235
- Chania Int Airport (CHQ): Transfer to Heraklion Cruise Port: $351
- Chania to Elafonissi Beach/ Cretan Villages Private Transfer: $332
- Chania to Faistos Palace Private Transfer Full Day Tour: $529
- Chania to Imbros Gorge Private Full Day Transfer: $364
- Chania to Irini Gorge & Sougia Village: Private Transfer: $406
- Chania to Knossos Palace & Heraklion City Private Transfer: $529
- Cretan Folklore Night with Buffet and transfer: $31
- Elafonisi Beach Day Trip with Elos Stop and Transfer: $34
- Falassarna Beach Sunset Trip with Transfer: $36
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: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Chania or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Chania 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 dayChania €32Santander €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chania
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chania.
- The Delicious Chania PRIVATE Street Food Tour : $87
- CHANIA WALKING FOOD TOURS – 3 HOUR WALKING TOUR: $107
- CHANIA CRETE COOKING CLASSES – 3 HOURS: $107
- Chania Cooking Class-The Authentic: $118
- Guided Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $123
- From The Ultimate Food Tour Of Chania Villages: $123
- Wine, Food, and Sunset Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $127
- From Agioi Theodoroi Catamaran Dinner Cruise: $127
- Sunset Craft Beer & Food Tour: $128
- Sunset Craft Beer & Food Tour - Chania: $131
- Horse riding,falasarna sunset,dinner in a tavern,drone video: $214
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chania €21Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Chania
Here are a few actual costs in Chania for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
- Chania's Turbulent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Discover Chania's Echoes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Archaeological Museum Entry Ticket and Audio Guide: $11
- Full-Day Tour Gramvousa Balos Bay from Rethymno with French Guide: $19
- Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide: $19
- Shared Falassarna Beach Tour Visit from Rethymno: $25
- Skip the Line: Limnoupolis Water Admission Ticket: $27
- Full Day Guided Botanic Garden Tour in Spili, Preveli and Plakias: $27
- From Rethymno Areas: Full-Day Knossos and Heraklion Guided Tour: $27
- Chania Town: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise to Thodorou & Lazareta: $29
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 dayChania €18Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Chania
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chania:
- Cretan wine tasting, hosted in French: $91
- Milia Mountain Tour w/Lunch Olive Oil/Wine Tastings: $144
- Wines, Olives, and History: A Private Wine Tour from Chania: $791
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Santander, we can see that Santander is more expensive. And not only is Chania much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chania would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chania 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 Chania.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chania Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chania or Santander?
Santander has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania 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 Chania 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 Chania or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chania for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Chania is a little warmer than Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, 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 Chania. Chania usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Chania usually receives less rain than Santander. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChania 26°C (80°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Chania or Santander in the Autumn?
Both Santander and Chania during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Chania because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Chania is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chania in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Chania often gets more sunshine than Santander. Chania gets 198 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. Chania usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 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 OctoberChania 20°C (68°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Chania or Santander in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Santander. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chania this time of year.
In January, Chania is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 12°C (54°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Chania usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chania gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Chania usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santander. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 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 JanuaryChania 12°C (54°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Chania or Santander in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Chania as well as Santander. Many travelers come to Chania for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Chania is a little warmer than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 17°C (62°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chania this time of the year. In the spring, Chania often gets more sunshine than Santander. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Chania usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 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 AprilChania 17°C (62°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Chania
| Chania | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (69°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (62°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 94 mm (3.7 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.