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 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, and The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 €13
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 Lanzarote Airport : $20
- Private Transfer from Lanzarote Airport (ACE) to Arrecife Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Arrecife Cruise Port to Arrecife Hotels: $29
- Roundtrip Ferry Transfer to La Graciosa with Free Wifi: $31
- Aquapark Costa Teguise tickets with Optional Transfer: $31
- Aqualava Splashtastic with Transfer: $43
- Guided Volcano Hike with Transfers: $46
- Fuerteventura at your leisure( bus transfer and return ferry ticket): $49
- From Round-Trip Ferry Transfer to Fuerteventura: $49
- Dolphin-Watching Sunset Cruise with Transfers: $54
- Lanzarote Airport Arrival Transfer (Airport to Puerto del Carmen Hotel): $84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
- San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $280
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $274
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Bilbao city: $274
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $253
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $251
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Biarritz: $171
- Transfer Bilbao or San Sebastian Airport to San Sebastian by Car: $61
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 €32
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: $54
- Music Hall Tavern - MHT Comedy Drag Dinner Show: $55
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 Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $117
- Best Street Food Tour of San Sebastian with a Local Guide: $125
- Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $140
- Basque cuisine cooking class: $145
- Basque Cooking Experience: Market Tour & Hands-On Class: $151
- I travel for Food Tour in San Sebastian: $155
- Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $162
- Dinner in a Gastronomic Club in San Sebastian: $179
- Farmers Market visit and Pintxos & Local Cooking Class: $218
- Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $218
- San Sebastián Walking Dinner Tour with Basque Bites : $279
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lanzarote €17San Sebastian €32
Tours and Activities in Lanzarote
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lanzarote.
- Puerto del Carmen: Indoor 18 hole Crazy Mini Golf Experience: $8.79
- LagOmar Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Lanzarote : Mirador del Rio Entry ticket: $13
- El Jardín de Cactus Entry Ticket: $13
- Jose Saramago House and Library Museum Tickets : $13
- Audio Guided Tour of the El Grifo Wine Museum: $16
- Aquarium Entry Ticket: $18
- Lanzarote:Ferry ticket to Fuerteventura with free wifi: $19
- Cueva de los Verdes Guided Tour with Ticket: $22
- Jameos del Agua Entry Ticket: $22
- Parasailing Adventure in Puerto del Carmen: $22
- Janubio Salt Flats Guided Tour: $24
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:
- "A la Vasca" - Top Notch Gastro Cultural Experience: $196
- "Basque Cider House" guided tour + meal from San Sebastian: $84
- Basque Coast Road Bike Tour: $111
- Biarritz & La Côte Basque Private tour: $280
- Biarritz and French Coast Small Grop Tour from San Sebastian: $88
- Bilbao city and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $168
- City tour, by electric bicycle: $51
- Coastal "Winery Camino Trail" Walking Tour from San Sebastian: $179
- Electric scooter city tour: $47
- Exclusive Private E-bike City Tour.: $134
- Exclusive Private Pintxos Adventure with Premium Spanish Wines": $179
- French Coast: Bayonne, Biarritz, San Juan de Luz - Private Tour: $285
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: $55
- Hiking and Wine Tasting: $62
- Half Day Timanfaya Volcanic Tour with Wine Tasting: $63
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): $144
- Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $151
- Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $196
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $246
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $257
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.