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

Should you visit Lille or Santander?

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

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

Lille

Lille is a city in northern France on the Deule River near France's border with Belgium. It has the fourth largest urban area in France behind Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Lille (Rijsel in Flemish) may be France's most underrated major city. In recent decades this once-grimy industrial metropolis, with its economy based on declining industries, has transformed itself into a glittering and self-confident cultural and commercial hub. Highlights for the visitor include an attractive old town with a strong Flemish accent, three renowned art museums, stylish shopping, some excellent dining options and a cutting-edge, student-driven nightlife scene. The Lillois have a well-deserved reputation for friendliness – and they're so proud of being friendly that they often mention it.

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 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Lille?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lille is €115, 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 Lille and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lille 55
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lille 110
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Lille and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Lille 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 Lille


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: Lille Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lille 28
    Santander 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lille

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lille:

  • Lille Private Transfer from Lille Airport (LIL) to City centre: $57
  • Lille Private Transfer from Lille city centre to Lille Airport (LIL): $57
  • Private Transfer to or from Lille Airport: $53
  • Private Transfer to or from Paris CDG: $535
  • Private Transfer to or from Paris Orly Airport: $642
  • Private One way transfer Lille Airport (LIL) : $77
  • Private Round trip transfer to Lille Airport (LIL) : $155
  • Toulouse Airport private transfer to Toulouse City center: $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251

Is it cheaper to fly into Lille or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Lille 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
    Lille 42
    Santander 41
Typical Food Prices in Lille

Some typical examples of dining costs in Lille are as follows:


  • Dinner for 2
    37

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lille 16
    Santander 18

Tours and Activities in Lille

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lille are as follows:

  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • City Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $4.28
  • Lille Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Lille City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Lille Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $10
  • Vieux Lille 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour: $16
  • Lille City Tour: $18
  • Tournai Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game: $22
  • Discover Tournai while escaping the zombies! Escape game: $22
  • Discover Tournai while playing! Escape game - The alchemist: $22

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: $54
  • 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: $78
  • Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour: $82

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lille 17
    Santander 14


When comparing the travel costs between Lille and Santander, we can see that Lille is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lille Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Lille or Santander?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Lille 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 Lille 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 Lille or Santander in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lille and Santander. Most visitors come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Lille is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lille in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santander this time of the year. In Lille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lille usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santander during summer. Lille gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lille usually receives more rain than Santander. Lille gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lille 17°C (63°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Lille or Santander in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lille as well as Santander. The autumn months attract visitors to Lille because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Lille is generally cooler than Santander. Daily temperatures in Lille average around 12°C (54°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Lille often gets less sunshine than Santander. Lille gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santander. Lille usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Lille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lille 12°C (54°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Lille or Santander in the Winter?

Both Santander and Lille are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lille in the winter. Lille is much colder than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Lille averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Lille usually receives less sunshine than Santander during winter. Lille gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In January, Lille usually receives less rain than Santander. Lille gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lille 3°C (38°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Lille or Santander in the Spring?

Both Santander and Lille during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lille for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lille is cooler than Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lille in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Lille often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santander. Lille gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lille usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Lille gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lille 8°C (47°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Lille

Lille Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 6°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 8°C (47°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 75 mm (2.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)


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