A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint-Etienne vs. Santander for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Santander?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Santander. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Saint-Etienne or Santander?

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne (Saint Stephen), a city southwest of Lyon, is drawing on its Industrial Revolution origins and its history of arms, bicycle, textile and ribbon production, to reinvent itself as design city. And the change is noticeable. After almost 30 years of decline, the city is now looking optimistically towards the future. Its center and suburbs are smartening up at a rapid pace. There are plenty of good surprises, including two great museums and a great eating scene.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne and Santander, we can see that Santander is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Santander?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Santander?

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 Saint-Etienne or Santander in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Santander. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint-Etienne in July average around 22°C (71°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 Saint-Etienne this time of the year. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Santander. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in July than Santander. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Santander in the Autumn?

Both Santander and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Santander. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 14°C (56°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santander during autumn. Saint-Etienne gets 127 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, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Santander. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Santander in the Winter?

Both Santander and Saint-Etienne during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint-Etienne can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne is much colder than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets less sunshine than Santander. Saint-Etienne gets 62 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. Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Santander in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Santander. The spring months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint-Etienne in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 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, Saint-Etienne usually receives less rain than Santander. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santander and Saint-Etienne