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

Should you visit Santander or Kotor?

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 Kotor can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santander or Kotor?

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.

Kotor

A coastal town of Montenegro, Kotor is also a beautifully-preserved fortified, medieval town, featuring a labyrinth of cobbled streets, lively piazzas, historic churches, and a spread of bars and restaurants throughout its historic Old Town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Kotor or Santander?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santander is €108, while the average daily cost in Kotor is €100. 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 Kotor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santander 51
    Kotor 49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santander 102
    Kotor 98
Compare Hotels in Santander and Kotor

Looking for a hotel in Santander or Kotor? 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.

Hotels in Santander


Hotels in Kotor


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 Kotor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santander 24
    Kotor 9.26

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 Kotor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kotor:

  • Tivat Airport (TIV) to Kotor Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
  • Airport Transfer Tivat / Porto Montenegro to Lustica Bay: $153
  • Airport Transfer Tivat / Porto Montenegro to Podgorica City: $272
  • Deluxe private transfer from or to Portonovi: $52
  • Enjoy Private Transfers by Car or Van from Tivat Airport to Kotor or Budva: $44
  • Herceg Novi to Kotor one way transfer: $144
  • Kotor Cruise Port to Podgorica Airport (TGD) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
  • Kotor Cruise Port to Podgorica hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $94
  • Kotor Cruise Port to Tivat Hotels Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
  • Kotor Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Podgorica hotels: $297
  • Kotor Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Tivat hotels: $90
  • Kotor to Dubrovnik one way transfer: $154

Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Kotor?

Prices for flights to both Kotor 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santander 41
    Kotor 43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kotor

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kotor.

  • Kotor City Tour and Cooking Class : $203
  • Kotor private cooking class with lunch and Old town guided tour: $226
  • Kotor and Perast Private Tour with Cooking Class and Boat Ride: $262
  • Cooking class in a local home & old town walking tour: $306

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santander 18
    Kotor 8.32

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 Kotor

Here are a few actual costs in Kotor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Walking Tour in Kotor : $22
  • Kotor Old Town - City Walking Tour: $24
  • Kotor Old Town Walking Tour: $24
  • Panorama and Semi-Submarine Underwater Experience: $24
  • Tour Kotor - Perast Old Town - Island Our Lady of the Rocks - Every 2 hours: $26
  • Boat Tour to Perast Old Town & Our Lady of the Rocks: $27
  • Kotor Old Town Small-Group Walking Tour: $33
  • Whole Boka Bay Cruise with Ship Knez Lipovac: $33
  • Blue Cave and Lady of the Rocks Boat Tour: $33
  • Shore Excursion - Handwoven Carpet Workshop, Local wine and Kotor Old Town tour : $34
  • Blue Cave Speedboat Tour from Kotor: $35
  • Speedboat tour Kotor Blue Cave, Our Lady of the Rock,swiming: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santander 14
    Kotor 8.51

Sample the Local Flavors in Kotor

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kotor:

  • Private tour: Homemade food and wine tasting at my family home: $125
  • Private National Park Lovcen with food and wine tasting: $136
  • Wine tasting and magical tour from Kotor, Budva, Tivat (Lovcen,Skadar lake): $251
  • National Parks Skadar Lake and Lovcen+Wine tasting (Private tour): $260
  • Skadar Lake National Park with Wine Tasting: $428


When comparing the travel costs between Santander and Kotor, 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 Santander Expensive? and Is Kotor Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santander or Kotor?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kotor. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Kotor, 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 Kotor?

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 Kotor in the Summer?

Both Kotor and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kotor this time of year.

In the summer, Santander is cooler than Kotor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santander in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Kotor averages at about 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Kotor. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during summer. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santander usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kotor. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santander 19°C (66°F) 
    Kotor 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Santander or Kotor in the Autumn?

Both Kotor and Santander during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kotor for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Santander is generally around the same temperature as Kotor. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 16°C (60°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Kotor, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Santander often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun.

Kotor gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually gets less rain in October than Kotor. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Santander 16°C (60°F) 
    Kotor 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Santander or Kotor in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Kotor. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kotor in the winter for the cuisine.

Santander is much warmer than Kotor in the winter. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 9°C (49°F) in January, and Kotor fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Santander usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during winter. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.

Kotor receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santander usually receives less rain than Kotor. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santander 9°C (49°F) 
    Kotor 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Santander or Kotor in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santander as well as Kotor. Additionally, most visitors come to Kotor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Santander is cooler than Kotor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santander in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Kotor averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Santander often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kotor. Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santander usually gets less rain in April than Kotor. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santander 12°C (53°F) 
    Kotor 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Kotor and Santander

Santander Kotor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 19°C (67°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 26°C (80°F) 47 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 11°C (53°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 215 mm (8.5 in)