Which place is cheaper, Santander or Messina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Messina or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Messina and Santander can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Messina or Santander?
Messina
Messina is a city in the northwest area of Sicily. There are only five kilometers across the Straits of Messina to the Calabria region of mainland Italy. You can reach Messina by boats which travel every hour from the town of Villa San Giovanni in mainland Italy. There are also a couple of hydrofoils that make the trip every day from Reggio di Calabria. During the summer season don't be surprised to see cruise ships arriving with crowds of tourists. They are usually docked right downtown and are therefore hard to miss. Messina is also connected to mainland Italy by train, which are transported across the Straits of Messina by ferry.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, 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 dayMessina €118Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Messina is €118, 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 Messina and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMessina €65Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMessina €130Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Messina and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Messina 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: Messina Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Messina €22Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Messina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Messina:
- From Private Air-Conditioned Transfer to Taormina: $99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Messina or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Messina 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 dayMessina €37Santander €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Messina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Messina.
- Private Home Cooking Demo with a Four-Course Meal: $112
- Cesarine: Dining & Cooking Demo at Local's Home in Messina: $115
- Market Tour & Lunch/Dinner at a Cesarina's Home: $149
- Messina Private Home Cooking Class: $155
- Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Messina: $158
- Market Tour, Private Home Cooking Class and Dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Messina €21Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Messina
Here are a few actual costs in Messina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alfotour 2/3 hour tour with swimming stop: $32
- 2,5-Hour Messina Walking Tour: $46
- Guided City Highlights Walking Tour: $47
- The Godfather Movie Tour from Messina: $84
- Messina Taormina: cultural heritage experience: $85
- Messina and Taormina City Tour from Messina - Private tour: $87
- Taormina Shore Excursion from Messina - Shared tour: $87
- Taormina and Castelmola Tour from Messina: $98
- 3-Hour Messina Segway PT Authorized Tour: $118
- Full Day Taormina and Castelmola Tour with Messina Shore Excursion: $120
- Etna Alcantara tour: the majestic lava landscape : $126
- Taormina and Castelmola: Private tour: $149
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMessina €18Santander €14
When comparing the travel costs between Messina and Santander, we can see that Messina 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 Messina Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Messina or Santander?
Messina has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Messina 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 Messina 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 Messina or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Messina are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Messina in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Messina is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 27°C (80°F), and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Santander. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Messina gets 332 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Messina usually receives less rain than Santander. Messina gets 19 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMessina 27°C (80°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Messina or Santander in the Autumn?
Both Santander and Messina during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Messina for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Messina is a little warmer than Santander in the autumn. The daily temperature in Messina averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Messina often gets more sunshine than Santander. Messina gets 189 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.
Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Messina. Messina usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Messina gets 109 mm (4.3 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 OctoberMessina 21°C (69°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Messina or Santander in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Messina and Santander. The winter months attract visitors to Messina because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Messina is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the winter temperatures in Messina in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Santander averages at about 9°C (49°F).
Messina usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Messina gets 115 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the winter. Messina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Messina usually receives less rain than Santander. Messina gets 113 mm (4.5 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 JanuaryMessina 13°C (55°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Messina or Santander in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Messina as well as Santander. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Messina this time of year.
In April, Messina is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Messina average around 16°C (60°F), and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Messina this time of the year. In the spring, Messina often gets more sunshine than Santander. Messina gets 207 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Messina usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Messina gets 60 mm (2.4 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 AprilMessina 16°C (60°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Messina
| Messina | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (74°F) | 14 mm (0.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 24 mm (1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 117 mm (4.6 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.