Which place is cheaper, Cantabria or San Sebastian?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Sebastian or Cantabria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Sebastian or Cantabria, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: San Sebastian or Cantabria?
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.
Cantabria
Occupying Spain's northern coast, the region of Cantabria is known for its mountains, cave paintings, and the capital city of Santander. Its diverse landscape allows for locals and visitors alike to hit the beach in the summer and go on mountain adventures in the winter. While these natural features alone are breathtaking, there is also much to say for Cantabria's quaint seaside towns, fresh cuisine, and rich history.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, and The Best Budget Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Sebastian €90Cantabria €107
The average daily cost (per person) in San Sebastian is €90, while the average daily cost in Cantabria is €107. 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 San Sebastian and Cantabria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Sebastian €40Cantabria €54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Sebastian €80Cantabria €108
Compare Hotels in San Sebastian and Cantabria
Looking for a hotel in San Sebastian or Cantabria? 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: San Sebastian Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Sebastian €14Cantabria €22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian Airport to Pamplona city: $245
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Bilbao Airport: $266
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Vitoria Airport : $288
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $266
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Vitoria: $288
- San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $271
- Transfer San Sebastian to Bilbao or San Sebastian Airports by Van: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into San Sebastian or Cantabria?
Prices for flights to both Cantabria and San Sebastian 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 daySan Sebastian €31Cantabria €36
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.
- Insider Best Culinary Gems Guided Food Tour in San Sebastian: $108
- San Sebastian Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $114
- Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $146
- Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $151
- Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $157
- Dinner in a Gastronomic Club in San Sebastian: $173
- Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $211
- Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $211
- Food tour in San Sebastian and Visit to a Gastronomical Club: $224
- History and flavors of San Sebastian for Dinner with Eskerne Falcón: $233
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Sebastian €33Cantabria €20
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:
- San Sebastian Walking Tour With Pintxo And Drink: $16
- Guided tour of San Sebastián: $18
- Walking Tour in San Sebastian: $42
- City tour, bike ride: $45
- Electric scooter city tour: $45
- San Sebastian Bike Tour: $47
- Private Tour around San Sebastián with Pintxo and Drink: $49
- City tour, by electric bicycle: $50
- Hondarribia, S.Juan & S.Pedro Small Group Tour from San Sebastian: $60
- Private Guided Sightseeing Bike Tour of San Sebastian: $60
- Small-Group Electric Bike Tour in San Sebastián : $61
- San Sebastian Vegetarian Pintxos Tasting Tour: $70
Tours and Activities in Cantabria
Here are a few actual costs in Cantabria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Bilbao: Villages of Cantabria Private Tour with Lunch: $263
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Sebastian €20Cantabria €12
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): $140
- Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $146
- Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $190
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $239
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $249
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Sebastian and Cantabria, we can see that Cantabria 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 Cantabria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cantabria 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 San Sebastian Expensive? and Is Cantabria Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, San Sebastian or Cantabria?
Cantabria has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of San Sebastian and Cantabria, 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.
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.