Which place is cheaper, Santander or Rabat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rabat or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rabat and Santander 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: Rabat or Santander?
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
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 2-Week Tours in Morocco, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco, 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 dayRabat $44Santander $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Rabat is $44, while the average daily cost in Santander is $116. 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 Rabat and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRabat $27Santander $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRabat $54Santander $110
Compare Hotels in Rabat and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Rabat 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: Rabat Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rabat $2.10Santander $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale$3.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Rabat To Fez: $109
- One-Way Transfer from Fez to Rabat via volubilis & meknes : $196
- One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez : $154
- One-Way Transfer from Rabat to Fez via meknes & volubilis : $196
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Asilah: $272
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Bouznika: $87
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Kenitra: $109
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Larache: $254
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Skhirat: $76
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Temara: $65
- Private Transfer from Rabat City to Rabat (RBA) Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat City: $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Rabat or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Rabat 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 dayRabat $12Santander $44
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Cooking Classes with Tour of Rabat : $45
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $49
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $66
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $75
- Rabat Food Tour Like a Local: $75
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $75
- Walking Food Tour: $75
- Private Market Tour and Authentic Moroccan Cooking Lesson with a Rabat Local: $120
- Gourmet Cooking Class in Rabat: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rabat $2.84Santander $19
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- Guided Bike Tour: $1.55
- SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
- Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $43
- Private Surf Experience in Rabat: $44
- Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $44
- Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
- Private Walking Guided Cultural Stroll with Licensed Tour Expert: $53
- Private Guided City Walking Tour: $62
- 4WD adventure Todra Gorge to Dades Valley - Aventures Verticales Maroc: $63
- Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $65
- Private Guided Tour in Rabat City: $76
- Best of Rabat Tour (half-day): $78
Tours and Activities in Santander
Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- From Cantabria Private Tour: $492
- From Gastronomic Tour: $128
- From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
- From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
- Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $54
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Gastronomy tour: $119
- Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
- Picos de Europa and Potes Guided Tour from Santander : $84
- Private Puente Viesgo Caves Full-Day Tour from Santander: $212
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRabat -Santander $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rabat and Santander, we can see that Santander is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rabat is in Africa and Santander is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Santander would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santander than you might in Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rabat Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rabat or Santander?
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Rabat 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 Rabat or Santander?
Santander has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Rabat or Santander in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rabat as well as Santander. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Rabat is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rabat in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In the summer, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Santander. Rabat gets 315 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.
Rabat usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Rabat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRabat 23°C (73°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Santander in the Autumn?
Both Santander and Rabat are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
In October, Rabat is generally a little warmer than Santander. Daily temperatures in Rabat average around 20°C (67°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Rabat gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In October, Rabat usually receives less rain than Santander. Rabat gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRabat 20°C (67°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Santander in the Winter?
Both Santander and Rabat during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Rabat is a little warmer than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Rabat averages around 13°C (56°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Rabat often gets more sunshine than Santander. Rabat gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.
Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rabat usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Rabat gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRabat 13°C (56°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Rabat or Santander in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rabat and Santander. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.
In the spring, Rabat is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rabat in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In Rabat, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rabat usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Rabat gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Rabat usually receives less rain than Santander. Rabat gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRabat 16°C (60°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Rabat
| Rabat | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (4 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.