Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian or Playa Blanca?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Playa Blanca or San Sebastian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Playa Blanca and San Sebastian 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: Playa Blanca or San Sebastian?
Playa Blanca
Located on the southern tip of the Canary Island of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a resort area popular with families and couples seeking a quieter vacation alternative to the lively neighbor resort of Puerto del Carmen. The resort's white sandy beaches are peaceful and sheltered from the higher winds found on other parts of the island. Timanfaya National Park is also nearby, as well as a number of other spectacular volcanic features.
San Sebastian
San Sebastián is a city in northern Spain very well known for its summertime fun in the sun. While the streets are cool and happening at night, they take on a different charm by day. Beautiful beaches line the city's edge, right next to elegant historic architecture and churches, topping charts as some of the best city beaches in Europe. The food, too, is said to be some of the best with traditional Basque cuisine as well as the popular pintxo (tapas) bites. San Sebastián is a place of lively culture, teeming with beauty, flavors, and colors.
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 dayPlaya Blanca €155San Sebastian €90
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa Blanca is €155, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is €90. 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 Playa Blanca and San Sebastian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya Blanca €81San Sebastian €40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya Blanca €162San Sebastian €80
Compare Hotels in Playa Blanca and San Sebastian
Looking for a hotel in Playa Blanca or San Sebastian? 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: Playa Blanca Hotel Prices and San Sebastian Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa Blanca €49San Sebastian €14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
- San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $273
- Private Transfer from the Airport to San Sebastian City: $84
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Vitoria: $291
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $268
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Pamplona Airport : $245
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Bilbao Airport: $268
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $247
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa Blanca or San Sebastian?
Prices for flights to both San Sebastian and Playa Blanca 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 dayPlaya Blanca €45San Sebastian €31
Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€55
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Lunch for 2€10
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Lunch for 2€31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Sebastian
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.
- San Sebastian Walking and Food Tour: $104
- Insider Best Culinary Gems Guided Food Tour in San Sebastian: $109
- Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $148
- Full Day San Sebastian Food Tour : $150
- I travel for Food Tour in San Sebastian: $152
- Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $152
- Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $158
- Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $213
- Food tour in San Sebastian and Visit to a Gastronomical Club: $224
- History and flavors of San Sebastian for Dinner with Eskerne Falcón: $235
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa Blanca €20San Sebastian €33
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Valle de los Caídos Monument€6.00
Tours and Activities in San Sebastian
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:
- Biarritz & La Côte Basque Private tour: $246
- Biarritz and French Coast Small Grop Tour from San Sebastian: $86
- Bilbao city and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $164
- Chef-Led Market Tour & Pintxo Lunch: $163
- Chef-Led Walking Pintxo Tour of San Sebastián : $272
- Cider House Experience From San Sebastian: $120
- City tour, bike ride: $45
- City tour, by electric bicycle: $50
- Coastal "Winery Camino Trail" Walking Tour from San Sebastian: $186
- Electric scooter city tour: $45
- Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour with Discover San Sebastian: $191
- Exclusive Private Pintxos Adventure with Premium Spanish Wines": $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya Blanca €9.29San Sebastian €20
Sample the Local Flavors in San Sebastian
Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening): $141
- Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $148
- Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $191
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $251
- Full Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from San Sebastian Private Tour: $298
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa Blanca and San Sebastian, we can see that Playa Blanca is more expensive. And not only is San Sebastian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Sebastian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Sebastian 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 Playa Blanca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa Blanca than you might in San Sebastian.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa Blanca Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Playa Blanca or San Sebastian?
San Sebastian has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Playa Blanca. When comparing the sizes of Playa Blanca and San Sebastian, 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 Playa Blanca or San Sebastian?
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 Playa Blanca or San Sebastian in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Playa Blanca as well as San Sebastian. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Sebastian because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Playa Blanca is a little warmer than San Sebastian in the summer. The daily temperature in Playa Blanca averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa Blanca this time of the year. In the summer, Playa Blanca often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Playa Blanca gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.
Playa Blanca usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Playa Blanca gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya Blanca 23°C (73°F)San Sebastian 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Playa Blanca or San Sebastian in the Autumn?
Both San Sebastian and Playa Blanca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.
In the autumn, Playa Blanca is a little warmer than San Sebastian. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Playa Blanca in October average around 22°C (72°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa Blanca. Playa Blanca usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Playa Blanca gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. In October, Playa Blanca usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Playa Blanca gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya Blanca 22°C (72°F)San Sebastian 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Playa Blanca or San Sebastian in the Winter?
Both San Sebastian and Playa Blanca during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Playa Blanca is generally much warmer than San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Playa Blanca average around 17°C (63°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa Blanca. In the winter, Playa Blanca often gets more sunshine than San Sebastian. Playa Blanca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.
San Sebastian gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Playa Blanca usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Playa Blanca gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya Blanca 17°C (63°F)San Sebastian 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Playa Blanca or San Sebastian in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa Blanca and San Sebastian. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the spring for the beaches.
Playa Blanca is much warmer than San Sebastian in the spring. The daily temperature in Playa Blanca averages around 19°C (66°F) in April, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In Playa Blanca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa Blanca usually receives more sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Playa Blanca gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.
San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Playa Blanca usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Playa Blanca gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya Blanca 19°C (66°F)San Sebastian 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Playa Blanca
| Playa Blanca | San Sebastian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (63°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Oct | 22°C (72°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.