Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Santander?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santander or Bologna?
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 Bologna can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santander or Bologna?
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.
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantander €108Bologna €159
The average daily cost (per person) in Santander is €108, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €159. 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 Bologna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantander €51Bologna €87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantander €102Bologna €174
Compare Hotels in Santander and Bologna
Looking for a hotel in Santander or Bologna? 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 Bologna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santander €24Bologna €21
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
- Arrival Private Transfer Bologna Airport BLQ to Modena or Verona by Business Van: $162
- Arrival Private Transfers: Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City in Business Car: $121
- Arrival Private Transfers: Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City in Luxury Van: $135
- Arrival Transfer Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Sedan: $56
- Arrival Transfer from Ravenna/Cruise Port to Venice Piazzale Roma: $120
- Balsamic Vinegar Experience with Private Transfer: $163
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Bologna - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $86
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Florence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $172
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Ravenna city or Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $113
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Venice - Arrival Private Transfer: $117
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Venice - Arrival Private Transfer: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Bologna?
Prices for flights to both Bologna 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 €41Bologna €39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
- Virtual Cooking Class: Ravioli variations with classic tomato sauce: $35
- Bologna Food Tour including Tagliatelle, Mortadella, Wine: $57
- Bologna Traditional Home Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner: $73
- Exclusive Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $74
- Exclusive Bologna Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $75
- Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal: $80
- Traditional Recipes Cooking Class with Local Wines: $82
- Hands on Home Cooking Class: $84
- Walking Food Tour with a Local Guide: $84
- Tastes and Traditions Food Tour with Market Visit: $84
- Tastes & Traditions of Food Tour with Market Visit: $86
- Bologna traditional food tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santander €18Bologna €38
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 Bologna
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
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Food Tour (for 2)€31
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Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)€115
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Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)€67
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National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)€12
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Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)€12
Tours and Activities in Bologna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Bologna Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide: $4.36
- From Italy eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.81
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Porta Galliera to Le Tre Frecce: $5.99
- Self-Guided Historical Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
- Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Digital Guide made by a Local for your walking tour: $7.49
- Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Ancient and Recent History Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantander €14Bologna €28
Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
- Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $38
- From Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with the winemaker: $53
- Monte San Pietro: Montevecchio Isolani Tour & Wine Tasting: $53
- Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $69
- Wine Tasting Tour in One of the Oldest Inns: $70
- Bologna Wine Tasting in One of the Oldest Inns: $71
- Small-Group Half-Day Wine Tour with Tasting in Dozza Village: $102
- Taste the real Bologna Food and Wine tour: $107
- Wine Tasting Experience with a Local Guide: $118
- Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting: $131
- Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with a local guide : $138
- Italian Wine Tasting on the Panoramic Terrace in Bologna: $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santander and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santander or Bologna?
Bologna has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Bologna, 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 Bologna?
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 Bologna in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Bologna. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.
Santander is cooler than Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bologna this time of the year. In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santander usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during summer. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Santander usually receives more rain than Bologna. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantander 19°C (66°F)Bologna 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Santander or Bologna in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Santander as well as Bologna. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Santander is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santander in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Santander often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Bologna. Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santander usually gets more rain in October than Bologna. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantander 16°C (60°F)Bologna 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Santander or Bologna in the Winter?
Both Bologna and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Bologna can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Santander is generally much warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 9°C (49°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Santander usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during winter. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Santander. In January, Santander usually receives more rain than Bologna. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantander 9°C (49°F)Bologna 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Santander or Bologna in the Spring?
Both Bologna and Santander during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bologna for the natural beauty during these months.
Santander is around the same temperature as Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Santander often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually gets more rain in April than Bologna. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantander 12°C (53°F)Bologna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Bologna and Santander
| Santander | Bologna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 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.