Which place is cheaper, Cantabria or Pamplona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pamplona or Cantabria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Pamplona or Cantabria? 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: Pamplona or Cantabria?
Pamplona
Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.
Cantabria
Occupying Spain's northern coast, the region of Cantabria is known for its mountains, cave paintings, and the capital city of Santander. Its diverse landscape allows for locals and visitors alike to hit the beach in the summer and go on mountain adventures in the winter. While these natural features alone are breathtaking, there is also much to say for Cantabria's quaint seaside towns, fresh cuisine, and rich history.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPamplona €131Cantabria €107
The average daily cost (per person) in Pamplona is €131, while the average daily cost in Cantabria is €107. 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 Pamplona and Cantabria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPamplona €67Cantabria €54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPamplona €134Cantabria €108
Compare Hotels in Pamplona and Cantabria
Looking for a hotel in Pamplona or Cantabria? 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: Pamplona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pamplona €24Cantabria €22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamplona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:
- Private Transfer from Logroño city to Pamplona Airport : $243
- Private Transfer from Logroño city to Vitoria: $243
- Private Transfer from Pamplona Airport to Vitoria city: $228
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian: $243
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to Vitoria Airport : $228
- Private Transfer from Pamplona to Elciego town: $281
Is it cheaper to fly into Pamplona or Cantabria?
Prices for flights to both Cantabria and Pamplona 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 dayPamplona €41Cantabria €36
Typical Food Prices in Pamplona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pamplona are as follows:
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Lunch for 2€10
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Ice Cream€4.50
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Coffee€1.30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pamplona €34Cantabria €20
Tours and Activities in Pamplona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:
- Logroño historic&cultural guided walking tour: $31
- From San Sebastian: Pamplona City Tour: $90
- Visit Olite Royal Palace and Ujue medieval village in small group tour: $114
- Private City Tour Pamplona: $174
- Tour of Olite and the royal castle. : $198
- Private tour of Getaria, Zumaia, Zarautz and Orio. : $203
- Tour of the Bardenas " The great desert of Europe" and Tudela. : $233
- Two winerie visits in la Rioja and walking tour of la Guardia : $233
- Bilbao,Guggenheim and Gaztelugatxe Tour, lunch included: $233
- San Sebastian & Basque Coast Tour From Pamplona: $234
- Private tour of Lourdes and the three sacred temples: $238
- Pamplona Private Tour with Castle of Javier : $238
Tours and Activities in Cantabria
Here are a few actual costs in Cantabria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Bilbao: Villages of Cantabria Private Tour with Lunch: $263
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPamplona €31Cantabria €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Pamplona
Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half Day Rioja Wine Tour: $217
- Wine tour of La Rioja, with two winery visits, and La Guardia. : $220
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Pamplona: $239
- Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Logroño: $239
- Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Logroño: $249
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Pamplona: $249
- Rioja Wine Tour: $282
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pamplona and Cantabria, we can see that Pamplona is more expensive. And not only is Cantabria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cantabria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cantabria 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 Pamplona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pamplona than you might in Cantabria.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pamplona Expensive? and Is Cantabria Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Pamplona or Cantabria?
Cantabria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Pamplona and Cantabria, 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.
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.