A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pamukkale vs. Santiago de Compostela for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pamukkale or Santiago de Compostela?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pamukkale and Santiago de Compostela can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pamukkale or Santiago de Compostela?

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is in southeastern Aegean Turkey and is historically a spa town that has been in existence since the 2nd century BC. It is popular with tourists for its beautiful hot springs and travertines, or pools that are coated in a very unique calcium covering. The area is very rich in mineral content and the water, which has been flowing for thousands of years, has deposited calcium in each pool. This unique whiteness creates an unworldly beauty that draws visitors from around the world. If you're visiting during the summer months when the sun is out in full force, don't forget the sunscreen, as the white reflects the light and you can end up with a sunburn quite quickly. You'll also want to make sure you have sunglasses available because the glare can be quite extreme.

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best G Adventures Tours to Turkey, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago de Compostela or Pamukkale?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pamukkale is $156, while the average daily cost in Santiago de Compostela is $97. 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 Pamukkale and Santiago de Compostela in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pamukkale $56
    Santiago de Compostela $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pamukkale $112
    Santiago de Compostela $80
Compare Hotels in Pamukkale and Santiago de Compostela

Looking for a hotel in Pamukkale or Santiago de Compostela? 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 Pamukkale


Hotels in Santiago de Compostela


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: Pamukkale Hotel Prices and Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pamukkale $35
    Santiago de Compostela $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamukkale

Also for Pamukkale, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Antalya: Guided Pamukkale Tour w/Lunch/Transfer: $84
  • Antalya; Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Tour with Transfer: $280
  • City of Pamukkale/Denizli: Antalya Airport Private Transfer: $165
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Denizli City Hotels: $104
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Karahayit Hotels: $104
  • Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers to Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels: $81
  • Denizli City Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $136
  • Pamukkale - Karahayit Transfer from Denizli Cardak Airport: $100
  • Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon w/Flight Certificates,Champagne Toast & Hotel Transfer: $90
  • Pamukkale Saraykoy Hotels to Denizli Cardak Airport Transfers: $109
  • Pamukkale to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport-Departure Transfer: $125
  • Private Denizli Pamukkale Airport Transfer Service: $98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago de Compostela

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela Airport to City Center by Minivan: $91
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer to SCQ Airport by Van: $91
  • Airport transfer Santiago de Compostela: $71
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $51
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
  • Airport Transfer Santiago de Compostela: $45
  • Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $38

Is it cheaper to fly into Pamukkale or Santiago de Compostela?

Prices for flights to both Santiago de Compostela and Pamukkale 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
    Pamukkale $69
    Santiago de Compostela $21

Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:


  • Raspberries
    $3.75
  • Ice Cream
    $2.14
  • Cookie
    $1.07
  • Kebab
    $7.77
  • Dinner & Tapas (for 2)
    $29
  • Tuna Empanada
    $3.75
  • Fruit Shake
    $3.75
  • Crepe
    $4.29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pamukkale $54
    Santiago de Compostela $41
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pamukkale

For Pamukkale, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Entrance fees Travertines & Pool
    $2.01

Tours and Activities in Pamukkale

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pamukkale.

  • Antalya: Pamukkale Guided Tour With Optional Balloon Flight: $37
  • Pamukkale City Highlights Small Group Guided Tour with Lunch: $40
  • Full Day Pamukkale City Tour From Pamukkale And Karahayit Hotels: $45
  • Pamukkale Paragliding Experience By Local Expert Pilots: $48
  • From Antalya: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour with Lunch: $48
  • Shared Pamukkale Group Tour from Pamukkale: $57
  • From Bodrum: Pamukkale & Hierapolis Guided Tour with Lunch: $63
  • Kusadasi or Selcuk: Pamukkale Guided Group Tour: $67
  • Pamukkale Tour From Pamukkale : $71
  • Antalya: Full-Day Pamukkale Tour: $80
  • Shared Cultural Tour in Pamukkale and Hierapolis: $81
  • Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour: $85

Tours and Activities in Santiago de Compostela

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

  • 5-day Private Tour Northern Spain (from Bilbao or Santiago): $5,294
  • Christmas Enchantment: Walking Tour in Compostela: $459
  • Complete Santiago Tour with tickets- Full experience in 4H: $48
  • Excursion to Finisterre, Muxia and Cabo Vilan With Boat Cruise : $59
  • Exploration of Compostela Walking Tour for Families: $352
  • Exploring Santiago de Compostela Walking Tour for Couples: $352
  • Finisterre y Costa da Morte el tour más completo desde Santiago: $53
  • From Santiago: Finisterre Lighthouse Sunset Tour: $36
  • From Santiago: Fuciño do Porco Hiking Tour: $80
  • From Santiago: Rías Baixas Galicia Seafood & Wine Day Tour: $59
  • From Santiago: Ribeira Sacra Tour & Boat Trip: $61
  • Full-Day Excursion to Santiago from A Coruña- Cruisers Only: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pamukkale $15
    Santiago de Compostela $24

Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela

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


  • 1 Pint Beer
    $2.14

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela

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

  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $31
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $32
  • Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $33
  • Premium Porto Santiago Compostela tour lunch & wine tasting: $214


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

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


Which is Bigger, Pamukkale or Santiago de Compostela?

Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Pamukkale. When comparing the sizes of Pamukkale and Santiago de Compostela, 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 Pamukkale or Santiago de Compostela?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Pamukkale or Santiago de Compostela in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pamukkale as well as Santiago de Compostela. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pamukkale is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Pamukkale average around 28°C (82°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pamukkale this time of the year. In the summer, Pamukkale often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Pamukkale gets 356 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun.

Pamukkale usually gets less rain in July than Santiago de Compostela. Pamukkale gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pamukkale 28°C (82°F) 
    Santiago de Compostela 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Pamukkale or Santiago de Compostela in the Autumn?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Pamukkale are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

Pamukkale is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pamukkale averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamukkale. Pamukkale usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during autumn. Pamukkale gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In October, Pamukkale usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Pamukkale gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pamukkale 19°C (67°F) 
    Santiago de Compostela 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Pamukkale or Santiago de Compostela in the Winter?

Both Santiago de Compostela and Pamukkale during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Pamukkale is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pamukkale in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Pamukkale often gets more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Pamukkale gets 137 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun.

Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamukkale. Pamukkale usually gets less rain in January than Santiago de Compostela. Pamukkale gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pamukkale 9°C (48°F) 
    Santiago de Compostela 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Pamukkale or Santiago de Compostela in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pamukkale and Santiago de Compostela. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Pamukkale is generally a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Pamukkale average around 17°C (62°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Pamukkale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pamukkale usually receives more sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during spring. Pamukkale gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Pamukkale usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Pamukkale gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pamukkale 17°C (62°F) 
    Santiago de Compostela 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago de Compostela and Pamukkale

Pamukkale Santiago de Compostela
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
May 21°C (70°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (58°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 26°C (78°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Sep 24°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 19°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Dec 10°C (51°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 128 mm (5 in)