Which place is cheaper, Santander or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lisbon or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon or Santander? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lisbon or Santander?
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week 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 dayLisbon €131Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €131, 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 Lisbon and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon €58Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon €116Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon €24Santander €24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride€6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Private Transfer to Cascais | Sintra | Estoril: $29
- Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $23
- Airport Transfer - Lisbon: $60
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Luxury Van: $95
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Business Car: $66
- Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS in Luxury Van: $95
- Arrival Private Transfer from Lisbon airport LIS to Lisbon City by Luxury Van: $48
- Arrival Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Business Car: $65
- Cascais transfer: Private Transfer to/from Cascais or Lisbon: $59
- Costa da Caparica Private Transfer from / to Lisbon: $33
- Departure Private Transfer from Lisbon City to Lisbon airport LIS by Luxury Van: $48
- Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Lisbon 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 dayLisbon €42Santander €41
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $42
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
- No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
- Original Morning Food Tour: $63
- Lisbon Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food inlcuded: $70
- Tipsy Food Crawl Walking Tour with Dinner: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lisbon €24Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.07
- Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.12
- Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.28
- Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.26
- Wonders of Lisbon Walking Tour: $3.93
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Lisbon: $4.36
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in the Marvels of Lisbon : $4.80
- Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.35
- Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.35
- Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.35
- Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.35
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour From Príncipe Real to Downtown Lisbon: $5.53
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: $54
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Gastronomy tour: $119
- 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: $212
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon €18Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
- Wine Tasting at Quinta das Murgas: $38
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl in Lisbon with Local Guide: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Santander, we can see that Lisbon 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Santander?
Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.
Lisbon is a little warmer than Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Santander. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLisbon 23°C (73°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Santander in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Santander. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Lisbon is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Santander. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 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 OctoberLisbon 19°C (66°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Santander in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Santander. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Lisbon is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Santander. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 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 JanuaryLisbon 12°C (53°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Santander in the Spring?
Both Santander and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Lisbon is a little warmer than Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Santander. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 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 AprilLisbon 16°C (60°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Lisbon
| Lisbon | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.