Which place is cheaper, Santander or Faro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Faro or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro 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: Faro or Santander?
Faro
Faro (or sometimes Faros) is the capital city of the scenic Algarve Region of Portugal, located at the edge of the Ria Formosa National Park. This is a fantastic place to experience the beauty, culture, and traditions of Portugal in laid back atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. Faro offers everything from ancient architecture to beautiful beaches all while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Algarve Region.
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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, 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 dayFaro €133Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Faro is €133, 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 Faro and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFaro €75Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFaro €150Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Faro and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Faro 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: Faro Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Faro €9.52Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Faro
Also for Faro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ) Transfers airport Faro X Sevilla: $91
- Aiport Transfer from FARO to TAVIRA or CABANAS: $72
- Airport Transfer to Albufeira: $62
- Airport Transfer to Armação da Pera: $81
- Airport Transfer to Burgau: $143
- Airport Transfer to Cadiz: $669
- Airport Transfer to Carvoeiro: $87
- Airport Transfer to Evora: $414
- Airport Transfer to Gale: $67
- Airport Transfer to Huelva: $155
- Airport Transfer to Isla Antilla: $129
- Airport Transfer to Lagos: $118
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 Faro or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Faro 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 dayFaro €36Santander €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Faro
For Faro, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Most Delicious Private Food Tour of 6 or 10 Tastings: $83
- 3 Hours Classic Food Tour in Faro: $97
- Authentic Portuguese Cooking Experience in Algarve: $162
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Faro €9.41Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Faro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Faro.
- Camera Obscura - Tavira Eye - Admission Ticket: $5.45
- Faro Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Lagos Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Tavira Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.84
- Faro Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Algarve Life Sciences Center Museum Family Ticket: $13
- Cork Factory Tour & Cork Shop: $18
- Ria Formosa Sunset Boat Tour: $21
- Eco Boat Tour in the Ria Formosa Lagoon from Faro: $22
- 1 or 2 Hour Speed Boat Tour - Ria Formosa: $26
- 2 Hours Boat Tour in Ria Formosa: $27
- Tavira Route Boat Tour: $27
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 dayFaro €3.13Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Faro
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Faro:
- Wine tastings, with Tour option - Authentic Algarve Flavours by Quinta da Tôr: $19
- Visit to a Family Brewery in Loulé with Tasting: $27
- Algarve Traditional Food and Wine Tasting: $48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Santander, we can see that Faro 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 Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro 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 Faro Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Faro or Santander?
Santander has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro 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 Faro 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 Faro or Santander in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Faro as well as Santander. Most visitors come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Faro is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 25°C (78°F), and Santander fluctuates around 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 Faro this time of the year. In the summer, Faro often gets more sunshine than Santander. Faro gets 374 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.
Faro usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFaro 25°C (78°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Faro or Santander in the Autumn?
Both Santander and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Faro because of the shopping scene.
Faro is a little warmer than Santander in the autumn. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Faro. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Faro gets 222 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, Faro usually receives less rain than Santander. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 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 OctoberFaro 20°C (68°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Faro or Santander in the Winter?
Both Santander and Faro during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Faro this time of year.
In the winter, Faro is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the winter temperatures in Faro in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Santander averages at about 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Faro often gets more sunshine than Santander. Faro gets 161 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. Faro usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 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 JanuaryFaro 12°C (54°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Faro or Santander in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Santander. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches.
In April, Faro is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 17°C (62°F), and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In Faro, it's very sunny this time of the year. Faro usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Faro gets 248 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, Faro usually receives less rain than Santander. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 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 AprilFaro 17°C (62°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Faro
| Faro | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (56°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (58°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°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.