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

Should you visit Ephesus or Santander?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus 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: Ephesus or Santander?

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

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 Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Ephesus?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ephesus is $143, 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 Ephesus and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $70
    Santander $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $140
    Santander $110
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus 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 Ephesus


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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $51
    Santander $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

Also for Ephesus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $164
  • Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $115
  • Ephesus Private Guided Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $80
  • From-to Izmir AirPort to-from Kusadası Private Airport Transfer: $75
  • Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) Transfer to OR from Kusadasi: $100
  • Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - Kusadasi Centrum (All hotels, home...) transfers: $65
  • Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $40
  • Kusadasi Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $40
  • Kusadasi Half Day Quad Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $169
  • Kusadasi Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93
  • Kusadasi International Golf Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $252
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Ephesus 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
    Ephesus $33
    Santander $44
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:


  • Sandwiches
    $0.15
  • Dessert
    $0.17
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    $0.59
  • Snacks
    $0.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

For Ephesus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110
  • Ephesus Tour with Cooking Class in the Village: $149
  • Taste of Traditional Turkish Cuisine | Small Group Kusadasi Food Tour: $211
  • Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $228

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $59
    Santander $19

Tours and Activities in Ephesus

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.

  • For Cruisers: Skip-the-line Private Free Ephesus Tour : $0.05
  • Self-guided Virtual Tour of The Highlights: $6.53
  • Entry Free: Drive by Ephesus and Ancient Wonder Tour: $12
  • Self-guided Virtual Tour of the ancient pearl of the Mediterranean: $17
  • Kusadasi Traditional Turkish Bath Hamam Experience : $17
  • SKIP THE LINE :Best Seller Ephesus Private Tour For Cruiser Guest: $19
  • Private & Mini Group Classical Ephesus Tour For Cruisers: $19
  • Skip the Line - Best of Ephesus: $19
  • Time Travel in Affordable and Spectacular Experience: $20
  • Best of Ephesus Guided Tour For Cruise Guest : $20
  • Kusadasi Scuba Diving Tour By Local Experts: $20
  • Kusadasi Quad Safari Adventure: $20

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $15
    Santander $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.12

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Skip-the-line Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $53
  • Ephesus port tours and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
  • Ephesus&Sirince Village with Wine Tasting Shore Ex: $100
  • Ephesus and Sirince with Wine tasting Private Half Day Shore Excursion: $100
  • Ancient Ephesus tour with Wine Tasting in the village and visit to Mother's Mary House: $130
  • Private Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting: $134
  • Virgin Mary Bread and Wine Tour included Lunch: $300


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Santander, we can see that Ephesus 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 Ephesus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ephesus 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 Ephesus Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Santander?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Santander.

In the summer, Ephesus is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Santander. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Santander in the Autumn?

Both Santander and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In October, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Santander. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Santander in the Winter?

Both Santander and Ephesus during the winter are popular places to visit.

Ephesus is around the same temperature as Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Santander. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santander. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Santander in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Santander.

In the spring, Ephesus is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Santander. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Ephesus

Ephesus Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)