Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian or Lanzarote?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lanzarote or San Sebastian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lanzarote or San Sebastian, 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: Lanzarote or San Sebastian?
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located off the northwestern coast of Africa. Some of its most popular features include the volcanic landscape of Timanfaya National Park, the underground caverns of Cueva de los Verdes, as well as the resort towns of Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca.
San Sebastian
San Sebastián is a city in northern Spain very well known for its summertime fun in the sun. While the streets are cool and happening at night, they take on a different charm by day. Beautiful beaches line the city's edge, right next to elegant historic architecture and churches, topping charts as some of the best city beaches in Europe. The food, too, is said to be some of the best with traditional Basque cuisine as well as the popular pintxo (tapas) bites. San Sebastián is a place of lively culture, teeming with beauty, flavors, and colors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLanzarote €161San Sebastian €90
The average daily cost (per person) in Lanzarote is €161, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is €90. 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 Lanzarote and San Sebastian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLanzarote €95San Sebastian €40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLanzarote €190San Sebastian €80
Compare Hotels in Lanzarote and San Sebastian
Looking for a hotel in Lanzarote or San Sebastian? 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: San Sebastian Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lanzarote €40San Sebastian €14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lanzarote
Also for Lanzarote, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Puerto del Carmen & Puerto Calero Boat Transfer: $12
- Private Transfer from Arrecife hotels to Arrecife Cruise Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Arrecife Cruise Port to Arrecife Hotels: $28
- Aqualava Splashtastic with Transfer: $37
- Fuerteventura at your leisure( bus transfer and return ferry ticket): $48
- From Round-Trip Ferry Transfer to Fuerteventura: $48
- Dolphin-Watching Sunset Cruise with Transfers: $52
- Lanzarote Airport Arrival Transfer (Airport to Puerto del Carmen Hotel): $82
- Graciosa Marine Reserve Catamaran Day Trip with Transfers: $86
- Lanzarote Airport Arrival Transfer (Airport to Playa Blanca Hotels or Address): $116
- Lanzarote Airport Departure Transfer (Playa Blanca Hotels to Lanzarote Airport): $116
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Vitoria: $291
- San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $273
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Bilbao Airport: $268
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $268
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $247
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $245
- Private Transfer from the Airport to San Sebastian City: $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Lanzarote or San Sebastian?
Prices for flights to both San Sebastian and Lanzarote 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 dayLanzarote €42San Sebastian €31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lanzarote
For Lanzarote, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Puerto del Carmen: Music Hall Tavern Comedy Drag Dinner Show: $52
- Music Hall Tavern - MHT Comedy Drag Dinner Show: $54
Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€55
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Lunch for 2€10
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Lunch for 2€31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Sebastian
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.
- San Sebastian Walking and Food Tour: $104
- Insider Best Culinary Gems Guided Food Tour in San Sebastian: $109
- Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $148
- Full Day San Sebastian Food Tour : $150
- I travel for Food Tour in San Sebastian: $152
- Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $152
- Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $158
- Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $213
- Food tour in San Sebastian and Visit to a Gastronomical Club: $224
- History and flavors of San Sebastian for Dinner with Eskerne Falcón: $235
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lanzarote €17San Sebastian €33
Tours and Activities in Lanzarote
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lanzarote.
- Lanzarote : Museo Lagomar Entry Ticket: $8.56
- Puerto del Carmen: Indoor 18 hole Crazy Mini Golf Experience: $8.56
- Jose Saramago House and Library Museum Tickets : $13
- Audio Guided Tour of the El Grifo Wine Museum: $16
- Aquarium Entry Ticket: $16
- Return or 1-Way Ferry Ticket to Fuerteventura: $20
- Jameos del Agua Entry Ticket: $21
- Janubio Salt Flats Guided Tour: $24
- Vineyard Tour with Wine and Chocolate Tasting: $24
- San Bartolomé: Bodegas El Grifo Winery Tour and Tasting: $27
- Timanfaya National Park Bus Tour w/ Entry Ticket: $27
- Aqualava Waterpark Entrance Ticket: $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Valle de los Caídos Monument€6.00
Tours and Activities in San Sebastian
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:
- Biarritz & La Côte Basque Private tour: $246
- Biarritz and French Coast Small Grop Tour from San Sebastian: $86
- Bilbao city and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $164
- Chef-Led Market Tour & Pintxo Lunch: $163
- Chef-Led Walking Pintxo Tour of San Sebastián : $272
- Cider House Experience From San Sebastian: $120
- City tour, bike ride: $45
- City tour, by electric bicycle: $50
- Coastal "Winery Camino Trail" Walking Tour from San Sebastian: $186
- Electric scooter city tour: $45
- Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour with Discover San Sebastian: $191
- Exclusive Private Pintxos Adventure with Premium Spanish Wines": $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLanzarote €9.29San Sebastian €20
Sample the Local Flavors in Lanzarote
Also in Lanzarote, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting Tour at El Grifo Bodega: $53
- Half Day Timanfaya Volcanic Tour with Wine Tasting: $60
Sample the Local Flavors in San Sebastian
Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening): $141
- Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $148
- Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $191
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $251
- Full Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from San Sebastian Private Tour: $298
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lanzarote and San Sebastian, we can see that Lanzarote is more expensive. And not only is San Sebastian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Sebastian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Sebastian 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 Lanzarote would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lanzarote than you might in San Sebastian.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lanzarote Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lanzarote or San Sebastian?
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 Lanzarote or San Sebastian in the Summer?
Both San Sebastian and Lanzarote during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.
Lanzarote is a little warmer than San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in Lanzarote averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lanzarote. In the summer, Lanzarote often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Lanzarote gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.
Lanzarote usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Lanzarote gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLanzarote 24°C (75°F)San Sebastian 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Lanzarote or San Sebastian in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lanzarote and San Sebastian. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Lanzarote is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lanzarote in October average around 23°C (73°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In Lanzarote, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lanzarote usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Lanzarote gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lanzarote usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Lanzarote gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLanzarote 23°C (73°F)San Sebastian 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Lanzarote or San Sebastian in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lanzarote as well as San Sebastian. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Lanzarote is generally much warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Lanzarote average around 17°C (63°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lanzarote this time of the year. In the winter, Lanzarote often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Lanzarote gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Lanzarote usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Lanzarote gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLanzarote 17°C (63°F)San Sebastian 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Lanzarote or San Sebastian in the Spring?
Both San Sebastian and Lanzarote are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches during these months.
Lanzarote is much warmer than San Sebastian in the spring. The daily temperature in Lanzarote averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lanzarote. Lanzarote usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Lanzarote gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In April, Lanzarote usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Lanzarote gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLanzarote 20°C (68°F)San Sebastian 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Lanzarote
| Lanzarote | San Sebastian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (63°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.