Which place is cheaper, Santander or Montpellier?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montpellier or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Montpellier and Santander. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Montpellier or Santander?
Montpellier
Montpellier is the 8th largest city of France, and also has been the fastest growing city in the country over the past 25 years. Graceful and easy-going, Montpellier is a stylish metropolis with elegant buildings, grand hotels, private mansions, stately boulevards and shady backstreets, and gorgeous white-sand beaches on its doorstep. Unlike many southern towns, Montpellier has no Roman heritage. Instead it was founded in the 10th century by the counts of Toulouse and later became a prosperous trading port as well as a scholarly center - Europe's first medical school was established here in the 12th century. The population swelled in the 1960s when many French settlers left independent Algeria and relocated here, and it's now France's fastest-growing city and one of its most multicultural areas. Students make up over a third of the population, giving it a spirited vibe.
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 France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, 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 dayMontpellier €118Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Montpellier 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 Montpellier and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontpellier €69Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontpellier €138Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Montpellier and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Montpellier 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: Montpellier Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montpellier €26Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montpellier
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montpellier:
- Montpellier Private Transfer from Montpellier city centre to Montpellier Airport: $74
- Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport Transfer: $64
- Private Transfer from Sète Cruise Port to Marseille city hotels: $131
- Transfer Montpellier Airport and Beziers Airport: $49
- Transfer from Sète Port to Marseille Provence Airport MRS: $131
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: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Montpellier or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Montpellier 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 dayMontpellier €31Santander €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montpellier
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montpellier.
- Guided Food Tour With Local Snacks and Wine: $91
- Montpellier Food Tour: $93
- From Pic Saint-Loup Wine and Food Tour: $102
- Cooking workshop: $106
- Private cooking class with specialized chefs Montpellier: $108
- Fusion Food Cooking Class: $428
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montpellier €12Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Montpellier
Here are a few actual costs in Montpellier for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Legendary Montpellier, flexible legends and storytelling tour: $16
- CityTour and Photo Portraits Souvenirs in Montpellier: $38
- Half-Day Hiking Tour of Pic Saint Loup & Picnic: $64
- From Wine and Olive Tour: $75
- Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Wine and Olive Tour from Montpellier: $80
- From Half-Day Vineyard & Pic Saint-Loup Tour: $80
- Montpellier Wine and Oyster Tour: $86
- Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Wine and Oyster Tour from Montpellier: $95
- Winetour & food experience in Pic St Loup: $107
- Saint-Guilhem village and cave day tour : $142
- Photoshoot Experience: $159
- Private 2-hour Walking Tour of the Historical Center of Montpellier: $161
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 dayMontpellier €15Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Montpellier
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montpellier:
- The Châteaux of Grès de Montpellier & Wine Tasting: $80
- Small-Group Half-Day Châteaux of Montpellier Wine Tour: $84
- Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup Wine Tour from Montpellier: $84
- Wine tour in Pic Saint-Loup area: $142
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $155
- Montpellier : half day wine tour in Camargue: $159
- Private Half-Day Languedoc Wine Tour from Sète: $240
- Sète: Private Half–Day Wine Tour: $353
When comparing the travel costs between Montpellier and Santander, we can see that Montpellier 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 Montpellier Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montpellier or Santander?
Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Montpellier 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 Montpellier 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 Montpellier or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Montpellier are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Montpellier for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Montpellier is a little warmer than Santander in the summer. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, 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 Montpellier. Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Montpellier gets 351 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Montpellier usually receives less rain than Santander. Montpellier gets 20 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 JulyMontpellier 23°C (73°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Montpellier or Santander in the Autumn?
Both Santander and Montpellier during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Montpellier in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Montpellier is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montpellier in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Santander averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Santander. Montpellier gets 187 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 Montpellier. Montpellier usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Montpellier gets 110 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 OctoberMontpellier 15°C (60°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Montpellier or Santander in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montpellier and Santander. Most visitors come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Montpellier is generally cooler than Santander. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 7°C (44°F), and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Montpellier gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Montpellier usually receives less rain than Santander. Montpellier gets 72 mm (2.8 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 JanuaryMontpellier 7°C (44°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Montpellier or Santander in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montpellier as well as Santander. The spring months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
Montpellier is around the same temperature as Santander in the spring. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. In the spring, Montpellier often gets more sunshine than Santander. Montpellier gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Montpellier usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Montpellier gets 55 mm (2.2 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 AprilMontpellier 13°C (55°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Montpellier
| Montpellier | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (44°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 16°C (61°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 10°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.