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

Should you visit Paris or Santillana?

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

Should I visit Paris or Santillana? 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: Paris or Santillana?

Paris

Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."

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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.


Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Paris?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Paris is €232, 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 Paris and Santillana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paris 151
    Santillana 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paris 302
    Santillana 120
Compare Hotels in Paris and Santillana

Looking for a hotel in Paris 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 Paris


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: Paris Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paris 21
    Santillana 17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:


  • Metro
    6.40
  • Train from Airport
    9.00
  • Metro tickets
    6.80
  • Train
    20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

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

  • Bus Transfer : Paris to the Palace of Versailles Round-Trip : $44
  • Disneyland Private Transfer - Luxury Minivan Service: $185
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer for 1 to 3 Persons in Paris: $196
  • Private transfer from Beauvais airport to Paris or back: $268
  • Airport Transfer Service Shuttle Disneyland Paris Taxi: $120
  • Airport Transfer: Paris Airport CDG to Paris City by Business Car: $101
  • Airport Transfer: Paris Airport CDG to Paris City by Luxury EQS: $142
  • Airport Transfer: Paris City to Paris Airport CDG by Luxury EQS: $143
  • Airport transfer from Paris to Disneyland Paris/Parc Asterix (8pax): $185
  • Arrival Private Transfer Paris Airport CDG to Paris by Sedan : $87
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Airport Charles de Gaulle OR Orly TO La Defense: $23
  • Arrival Transfer CDG or ORY Airport to Disneyland París by Van: $126

Is it cheaper to fly into Paris or Santillana?

Prices for flights to both Santillana and Paris 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
    Paris 41
    Santillana 30
Typical Food Prices in Paris

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:


  • Ice Cream
    8.00
  • Breakfast
    7.00
  • Breakfast for 2
    30
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    86
  • Dinner
    57
  • Cheese
    13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris

For Paris, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 1h30 Cooking Activity in English: $22
  • Hard Rock Cafe Paris with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner : $33
  • Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $44
  • No Diet Club - A selection of the best pizzas in Paris !: $45
  • Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris : $49
  • Paris : Seine River Bistronomic Dinner Cruise: $52
  • Seine River Panoramic Views Dinner Cruise: $56
  • Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $58
  • No Diet Club - Paris : Night food tour - Montmartre: $67
  • 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise with Bistro Dinner: $68
  • Paris : No Diet Club Food Tour - Best Spots in Le Marais: $68
  • Dinner with Customized Wine Selection: $75

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.
    Paris 77
    Santillana 23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris

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


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    18
  • Admission to Pantheon
    5.00
  • Catacombs (2)
    23

Tours and Activities in Paris

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

  • Free Walking Tour of Montmartre: $2.14
  • Montmartre Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt Tour: $3.21
  • Montmartre Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.26
  • Self Guided Tours in Paris with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
  • Marais Walk Self Guided Audio Tour: $4.35
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $5.35
  • Père-Lachaise Cemetery audio guide tour: $5.35
  • Private Self-guided Audio Tour of the Eiffel Tower: $5.45
  • Self-Guided Tour - Père Lachaise Cemetery Audioguide, Paris: $5.45
  • Self Guided Latin Quarter Audio Tour in Paris: $5.45
  • Private Self Guided Walking Tour in Montmartre Paris: $5.46
  • Kid-Friendly Marais: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.49

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
    Paris 24
    Santillana 4.29
Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    14

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $11
  • Original Paris Pub Crawl : $16
  • Daily Paris Pub Crawl : Meet, Drink & Party: $20
  • Latin Quarter Guided Pub Crawl to Bars and Clubs: $22
  • Paris Bar Crawl: $24
  • Paris Latin Quarter Pub Crawl Bars and Clubs: $24
  • Paris Pub Crawl: $25
  • Audio guided tour and wine tasting at Caves du Louvre: $32
  • Paris Craft gin distillery guided Tour & Tasting in English: $32
  • Paris Gin Craft Distillery Tour and Tasting: $33
  • Wine Museum Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $39
  • Vineyard tour and wine tasting in Davron: $43

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 Paris and Santillana, we can see that Paris 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Paris or Santillana?

Paris has a larger population, and is about 530 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Paris 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 Paris or Santillana?

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 Paris or Santillana in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Paris as well as Santillana. The summer months attract visitors to Paris because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Paris is around the same temperature as Santillana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Paris in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Santillana averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santillana. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Paris this time of the year. In the summer, Paris often gets more sunshine than Santillana. Paris gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 213 hours of full sun.

Paris usually gets more rain in July than Santillana. Paris gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Paris 20°C (68°F) 
    Santillana 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Paris or Santillana in the Autumn?

Both Santillana and Paris are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Paris this time of year.

In October, Paris is generally cooler than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 13°C (56°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Paris usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santillana during autumn. Paris gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santillana. In October, Paris usually receives less rain than Santillana. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Paris 13°C (56°F) 
    Santillana 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Paris or Santillana in the Winter?

Both Santillana and Paris during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Paris for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Paris. Paris is much colder than Santillana in the winter. The daily temperature in Paris averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Paris often gets less sunshine than Santillana. Paris gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santillana receives 91 hours of full sun.

Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Paris usually gets less rain in January than Santillana. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Paris 5°C (40°F) 
    Santillana 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Paris or Santillana in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Paris and Santillana. Many visitors come to Paris in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Paris is around the same temperature as Santillana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Paris in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Santillana averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Paris usually receives more sunshine than Santillana during spring. Paris gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Santillana receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santillana receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Paris usually receives less rain than Santillana. Paris gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Paris 11°C (52°F) 
    Santillana 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santillana and Paris

Paris Santillana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)