Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Santander?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santander or Barcelona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Santander and Barcelona can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santander or Barcelona?
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantander €108Barcelona €156
The average daily cost (per person) in Santander is €108, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €156. 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 Santander and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantander €51Barcelona €96
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantander €102Barcelona €192
Compare Hotels in Santander and Barcelona
Looking for a hotel in Santander or Barcelona? 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: Santander Hotel Prices and Barcelona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santander €24Barcelona €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket€7.80
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Airport Bus€5.00
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Metro€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Airport to Barcelona City transfer : $31
- Barcelona Airport to Cruise Port Private Transfer: $40
- Barcelona City to Sant Train Station Barcelona private transfer: $31
- Transfer From Barcelona Airport to Barcelona Cruise Port: $40
- Airport Transfers Barcelona Minivan : $75
- Arrival Barcelona Airport Private Transfer: $31
- Arrival Private Transfer by Sedan from BCN airport to Barcelona: $70
- Arrival Private Transfer from Barcelona Airport BCN to Barcelona: $33
- Arrival Transfer El Prat Airport BCN to Barcelona by Luxury Car: $130
- Arrival Transfer El Prat Airport BCN to Barcelona by Luxury Van: $91
- Arrival Transfer by Luxury Van from Barcelona Port to Barcelona: $75
- Arrival Transfer from Barcelona Airport BCN to Barcelona in Private Car/Van: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Santander 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 daySantander €41Barcelona €33
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro€4.15
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Sandwich€1.70
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Baguette & Horchata€3.80
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Tapas on the beach€8.28
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Gelatto€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
- Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
- Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Barcelona La Barceloneta Tapas Food Tour: $38
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
- Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $56
- Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santander €18Barcelona €33
Tours and Activities in Santander
Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
- From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Guided Tour by Electric Bike: $53
- Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $55
- From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
- Santoña: Anchovy Factory Tour and Boat Trip: $70
- Tour to the Towns of the Western Coast of Cantabria: $79
- Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour: $82
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass€42
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Souvenir Gaudi Book€8.55
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Admission to Museo Picasso€6.00
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- Self-Guided Tours 150+ Captivating Audio Stories: $2.14
- History & Legends Comedy Tour: Barcelona Gothic Quarter: $2.94
- Gaudí Free Tour in English: $3.21
- Barcelona Free Tour: Gaudi Highlights and La Sagrada Famila: $3.21
- Alternative Free Tour of the Raval: $3.21
- Gothic Quarter Free Walking Tour in English: $3.21
- Gaudí Walking Tour: $3.21
- Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour: $3.26
- Barcelona Gothic Quarter: History&Legends Comedy Tour: $3.26
- Self-Guided Tours 150+ Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
- Barcelona Gaudi and Sagrada Familia Tour: $3.27
- Sagrada Familia Exterior Free Tour: Stories, Secrets & Symbolism: $3.27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantander €14Barcelona €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - Bar & Nightclub Hopping Tour: $14
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
- Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
- Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $16
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
- Barcelona Weekend Pub Crawl with 1.5 hour open bar@Hostel: $27
- Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29
- Barcelona Art & Wine Tour: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santander and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Santander much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santander would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santander 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Santander.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santander Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santander or Barcelona?
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Barcelona, 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 Santander or Barcelona?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Santander or Barcelona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Barcelona. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Santander is cooler than Barcelona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santander in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Barcelona averages at about 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santander usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during summer. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Santander usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantander 19°C (66°F)Barcelona 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Santander or Barcelona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Santander as well as Barcelona. Also, most visitors come to Barcelona for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Santander is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 16°C (60°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Santander often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santander usually gets more rain in October than Barcelona. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantander 16°C (60°F)Barcelona 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Santander or Barcelona in the Winter?
Both Barcelona and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Santander is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the winter. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 9°C (49°F) in January, and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Santander usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during winter. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Santander. In January, Santander usually receives more rain than Barcelona. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantander 9°C (49°F)Barcelona 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Santander or Barcelona in the Spring?
Both Barcelona and Santander during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
In the spring, Santander is around the same temperature as Barcelona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santander in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Barcelona averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In Barcelona, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Santander often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually gets more rain in April than Barcelona. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantander 12°C (53°F)Barcelona 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Barcelona and Santander
| Santander | Barcelona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (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.