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

Should you visit Santander or Podgorica?

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

Where Should I go: Santander or Podgorica?

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.

Podgorica

Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.

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 Montenegro, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Podgorica 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 Podgorica is €105. 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 Podgorica in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santander 51
    Podgorica 46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santander 102
    Podgorica 92
Compare Hotels in Santander and Podgorica

Looking for a hotel in Santander or Podgorica? 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 Podgorica


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 Podgorica Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santander 24
    Podgorica 20

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 Podgorica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:

  • Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
  • Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $94
  • Budva to Podgorica one way transfer: $118
  • From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $57
  • Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75
  • Private Transfer to Budva: $39
  • Private transfer to Kotor: $53
  • Private transfer to Tivat: $53
  • Private Airport Transfer from Podgorica airport to Budva: $68
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Lustica: $262
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Petrovac : $58
  • Private Transfer from Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Tivat downtown: $117

Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Podgorica?

Prices for flights to both Podgorica 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
    Podgorica 41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santander 18
    Podgorica 21

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 Podgorica

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:

  • Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.17
  • Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
  • Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $16
  • Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
  • Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
  • Lake Skadar: Early-morning Birdwatching and Photography Tour: $27
  • From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
  • Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
  • Book Your Donkey Farm Tour: $57
  • Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $65
  • Cultural Bike Tour of Podgorica;Discovering the Ancient Treasures: $71

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santander 14
    Podgorica 20

Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:

  • Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
  • Book Your Wine Tour: $77
  • Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $93
  • Podgorica Car Trip, Doclea city, Wine tasting, Niagara falls: $106
  • Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $120
  • Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $128
  • Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $196


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


Which is Bigger, Santander or Podgorica?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Podgorica, 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 Podgorica?

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 Podgorica in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Podgorica.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Podgorica this time of the year. In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santander usually receives less sunshine than Podgorica during summer. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Podgorica receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santander usually receives more rain than Podgorica. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Santander or Podgorica in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Santander as well as Podgorica.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. In the autumn, Santander often gets less sunshine than Podgorica. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Podgorica receives 203 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Podgorica. Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santander usually gets less rain in October than Podgorica. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Santander or Podgorica in the Winter?

Both Podgorica and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

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

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. It's quite rainy in Santander. In January, Santander usually receives less rain than Podgorica. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


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

Should I visit Santander or Podgorica in the Spring?

Both Podgorica and Santander during the spring are popular places to visit.

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

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

Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Podgorica. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Podgorica receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for Podgorica and Santander

Santander Podgorica
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 6°C (42°F) 192 mm (7.6 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 159 mm (6.3 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 26°C (80°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 166 mm (6.5 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 11°C (53°F) 239 mm (9.4 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)