Which place is cheaper, Bilbao or Santander?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santander or Bilbao?
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 Bilbao can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santander or Bilbao?
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.
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
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 €108Bilbao €137
The average daily cost (per person) in Santander is €108, while the average daily cost in Bilbao is €137. 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 Bilbao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantander €51Bilbao €72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantander €102Bilbao €144
Compare Hotels in Santander and Bilbao
Looking for a hotel in Santander or Bilbao? 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 Bilbao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santander €24Bilbao €26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Luxury Van: $80
- Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $45
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $70
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Pamplona: $417
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to San Sebastian: $315
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Santander: $315
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Vitoria-Gasteiz: $209
- Bilbao Airport to the Basque Country: Private Transfers: $91
- Departure Private Transfer from Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO by Luxury Van: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Bilbao?
Prices for flights to both Bilbao 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 €41Bilbao €45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Basque Food Tour with Guide: $86
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $102
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $109
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $112
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
- Basque Flavours: High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $134
- Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $134
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
- Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $155
- Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $197
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santander €18Bilbao €29
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: $54
- 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: $78
- Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour: $82
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $4.28
- Bilbao Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.48
- VITORIA DE LEGEND night tour: $11
- Bilbao Confidential Tour: Industrialists and Bourgeois: $13
- 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $15
- Tour of the Great Villas in Getxo and Hanging Bridge: $16
- Bilbao tour: $17
- San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $18
- Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $20
- Bilbao Historical Small Group Tour : $28
- Walking tour of Bilbao with pintxo and drink: $31
- Private Kayak Tour along the Getxo Coast and Hanging Bridge: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantander €14Bilbao €21
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Bilbao: $25
- Immersive Evening Spanish Wine Tasting w/ Sommelier: $53
- Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $54
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $79
- Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $80
- Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $148
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $176
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $187
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $240
- From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $241
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $246
- Architectural Rioja Small Group Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao : $246
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santander and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Bilbao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santander or Bilbao?
Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?
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 Bilbao in the Summer?
Both Bilbao and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Bilbao for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Santander is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 19°C (66°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Santander usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bilbao. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantander 19°C (66°F)Bilbao 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Santander or Bilbao in the Autumn?
Both Bilbao and Santander during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Santander is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
In the autumn, Santander often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.
Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually gets more rain in October than Bilbao. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantander 16°C (60°F)Bilbao 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Santander or Bilbao in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Bilbao. Furthermore, the museums and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.
In the winter, Santander is around the same temperature as Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santander in January average around 9°C (49°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Santander usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.
Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santander usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantander 9°C (49°F)Bilbao 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Santander or Bilbao in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santander as well as Bilbao. Additionally, many travelers come to Bilbao for the activities around the city.
In April, Santander is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 12°C (53°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Santander often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santander usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bilbao. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantander 12°C (53°F)Bilbao 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Bilbao and Santander
| Santander | Bilbao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 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.