A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lyon vs. Santillana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lyon or Santillana?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Santillana, 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 Santillana?

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.

Santillana

A quaint town outside of Santander in northern Spain, Santillana de Mar is renowned for its medieval architecture. One of Spain's prettiest villages, Santillana del Mar and its cobbled streets are lined with palaces, churches, and balconies full of flowers. There are plenty of traditional shops selling local specialties, and it is nearby the UNESCO world heritage site of the Altamira Caves for something a little different.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Lyon?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lyon is €125, while the average daily cost in Santillana is €105. 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 Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lyon 53
    Santillana 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lyon 106
    Santillana 120
Compare Hotels in Lyon and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Lyon or Santillana? 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 Lyon


Hotels in Santillana


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 Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lyon 17
    Santillana 17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lyon:


  • Funiculaire
    5.20
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Lyon or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lyon 41
    Santillana 30
Typical Food Prices in Lyon

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


  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Santillana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:


  • Breakfast
    7.00

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lyon 20
    Santillana 23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • 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 Santillana

Here are a few actual costs in Santillana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Memorable Family Walking Tour in Ancient Santillana del Mar: $428

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lyon 24
    Santillana 4.29
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    6.80
  • 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

Sample the Local Flavors in Santillana

Also in Santillana, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Santillana Uncorked: A Wine Tasting Adventure: $1,022


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Santillana, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Santillana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santillana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santillana 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon than you might in Santillana.

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


Which is Bigger, Lyon or Santillana?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Santillana, 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 Santillana?

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 Santillana in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Santillana. Many visitors come to Lyon in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Lyon is a little warmer than Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santillana this time of the year. In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lyon usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lyon usually receives more rain than Santillana. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lyon 22°C (71°F) 
    Santillana 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Lyon or Santillana in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Santillana. Most visitors come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Lyon is cooler than Santillana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lyon in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Santillana averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Lyon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun.

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


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lyon 14°C (56°F) 
    Santillana 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Lyon or Santillana in the Winter?

Both Santillana and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Lyon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lyon can be very cold. In January, Lyon is generally much colder than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 4°C (39°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Santillana during winter. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Santillana. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lyon 4°C (39°F) 
    Santillana 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Lyon or Santillana in the Spring?

Both Santillana and Lyon during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

Lyon is around the same temperature as Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Lyon often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun.

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lyon usually gets less rain in April than Santillana. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lyon 11°C (53°F) 
    Santillana 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santillana and Lyon

Lyon Santillana
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)