Which place is cheaper, Pamplona or Santander?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santander or Pamplona?
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 Pamplona can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santander or Pamplona?
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.
Pamplona
Pamplona is a city in northern Spain located on the snow-capped foothills of the Pyrenees Range. With the backdrop of mountains, the city is surrounded by a setting ideal for skiing, mountaineering, hiking, wildlife and breathtaking scenery. Yet Pamplona itself is a place full of lively culture and stunning architecture. With a long history, the place is embedded in tradition and perhaps most famous for its annual "running of the bulls" celebrated in July, also known as the San Fermin festival.
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 €108Pamplona €131
The average daily cost (per person) in Santander is €108, while the average daily cost in Pamplona is €131. 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 Pamplona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantander €51Pamplona €67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantander €102Pamplona €134
Compare Hotels in Santander and Pamplona
Looking for a hotel in Santander or Pamplona? 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 Pamplona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santander €24Pamplona €24
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: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pamplona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pamplona:
- Private Transfer from Pamplona Airport to Laguardia town: $282
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian: $244
- Private Transfer from Pamplona city to San Sebastian Airport: $244
Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Pamplona?
Prices for flights to both Pamplona 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 €41Pamplona €41
Typical Food Prices in Pamplona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pamplona are as follows:
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Lunch for 2€10
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Ice Cream€4.50
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Coffee€1.30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santander €18Pamplona €34
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 Pamplona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pamplona are as follows:
- Logroño historic&cultural guided walking tour: $32
- Pamplona pintxo tasting paired with Spanish wines small group tour: $72
- From San Sebastian: Pamplona City Tour: $91
- Private City Tour Pamplona: $174
- Private tour of Getaria, Zumaia, Zarautz and Orio. : $204
- Bilbao and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $218
- Tour of the Bardenas " The great desert of Europe" and Tudela. : $234
- San Sebastian & Basque Coast Tour From Pamplona: $235
- Pamplona Private Tour with Castle of Javier : $240
- Private tour of Lourdes and the three sacred temples: $240
- San Sebastian And Basque Coast Tour From Pamplona: $240
- Private tour of the jewels of Bilbao, with Guggenheim and pintxos tasting. : $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantander €14Pamplona €31
Sample the Local Flavors in Pamplona
Also in Pamplona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half Day Rioja Wine Tour: $218
- Wine tour of La Rioja, with two winery visits, and La Guardia. : $221
- Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Logroño: $240
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Pamplona: $240
- Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Logroño: $251
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Pamplona: $251
- Rioja Wine Tour: $283
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santander and Pamplona, we can see that Pamplona 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 Pamplona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pamplona 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 Pamplona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santander or Pamplona?
Pamplona has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Pamplona, 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 Pamplona?
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 Pamplona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Pamplona. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Santander is generally around the same temperature as Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 19°C (66°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pamplona this time of the year. In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santander usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during summer. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Santander usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantander 19°C (66°F)Pamplona 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Santander or Pamplona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Santander as well as Pamplona. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.
Santander is around the same temperature as Pamplona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Santander often gets less sunshine than Pamplona. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Pamplona. Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santander usually gets less rain in October than Pamplona. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantander 16°C (60°F)Pamplona 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Santander or Pamplona in the Winter?
Both Pamplona and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Pamplona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Santander is around the same temperature as Pamplona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santander in January average around 9°C (49°F), and Pamplona averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Santander usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona during winter. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. It's quite rainy in Santander. In January, Santander usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantander 9°C (49°F)Pamplona 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Santander or Pamplona in the Spring?
Both Pamplona and Santander during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pamplona in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Santander is generally around the same temperature as Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 12°C (53°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In the spring, Santander often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pamplona. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun.
Pamplona 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 April than Pamplona. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantander 12°C (53°F)Pamplona 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Pamplona and Santander
| Santander | Pamplona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.