Which place is cheaper, Santander or Lyon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lyon or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon 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: Lyon or Santander?
Lyon
Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLyon €125Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Lyon is €125, 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 Lyon and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLyon €53Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLyon €106Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Lyon and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Lyon 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: Lyon Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lyon €17Santander €24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:
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Funiculaire€5.20
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Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus€19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Business Car: $78
- Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Luxury Van: $92
- Arrival Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Business Car: $86
- Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Business Car: $79
- Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $93
- Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car: $86
- Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $94
- Excellecar Private Driver - Stations & Airports Transfers: $82
- Group transfer from Lyon airport to City Center: $118
- Lyon Airport (LYS) to Val d'Isere/Espace Killy: Arrival Transfer: $76
- Lyon City Card with Airport Transfer: $52
- Lyon Exupery Airport to Les Deux La Clusaz Round Trip Transfer: $142
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: $44
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
Is it cheaper to fly into Lyon or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Lyon 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 dayLyon €41Santander €41
Typical Food Prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lyon are as follows:
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Pastry€1.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lyon.
- Street Food Tour: $64
- Croix-Rousse District Vegan Food Tour with Tastings: $64
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $66
- Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $76
- Lyon 2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise: $80
- Cultural Walking Food Tour in the Vieux Lyon District: $86
- Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $93
- Old Town Food Tour: $96
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings and Wine: $102
- Guided Evening Food Tour: $102
- Lyon Evening Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
- Food Tour in Lyon - Do Eat Better Experience: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lyon €20Santander €18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:
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Lunch for 2€45
Tours and Activities in Lyon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lyon are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- Hop-On Hop-Off City Cruise: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Lyon Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.42
- Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Private Self-Guided Tour of the Curse Quest of Old Lyon: $8.72
- Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $8.72
- Access to a Self-Guided Tour to Traboules de Croix-Rousse: $8.72
- Lyon Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- French Resistance Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $9.61
- Old Lyon Walking In App Audio Tour: $9.77
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: $55
- 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: $79
- Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLyon €24Santander €14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:
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Drinks for 2€6.80
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Bottle of Wine€15
Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon
Also in Lyon, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Lyon : Music & Wine tasting tour: $96
- Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais : $98
- Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $98
- Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $104
- Golden Stones Beaujolais Wine Tasting Trip from Lyon: $106
- Beaujolais: Half-Day Wine Tour: $106
- From Wine tasting and visits of the Beaujolais: $106
- Half-Day Côte-Rotie Wine Tasting Tour: $106
- From Beaujolais Region Wine Tour with Tastings: $106
- Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $108
- Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $108
- Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $108
When comparing the travel costs between Lyon and Santander, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lyon or Santander?
Lyon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Lyon 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 Lyon 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 Lyon or Santander in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Santander. Most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Lyon is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°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 Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lyon usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lyon usually receives more rain than Santander. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLyon 22°C (71°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Lyon or Santander in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Santander. The autumn months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Lyon is generally cooler than Santander. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Lyon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santander. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Lyon usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLyon 14°C (56°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Lyon or Santander in the Winter?
Both Santander and Lyon 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 Lyon this time of year.
It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. Lyon is much colder than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Santander during winter. Lyon gets 62 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, Lyon usually receives less rain than Santander. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLyon 4°C (39°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Lyon or Santander in the Spring?
Both Santander and Lyon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Lyon is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Lyon often gets more sunshine than Santander. Lyon gets 174 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. Lyon usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLyon 11°C (53°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Lyon
| Lyon | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.