Which place is cheaper, Pompeii or Santander?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santander or Pompeii?
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 Pompeii can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santander or Pompeii?
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.
Pompeii
Pompeii was once a 160-acre Roman port city, called home by more than 20,000 residents. In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted and after burying the entire city 16 feet deep in ash, the debris destroyed everything in its path, killing thousands of people and affecting more than 200 square miles around the area.
However, the phenomenon is that the ash preserved everything as it was in that time and to this day, you can visit and observe life as it was nearly two thousand years ago, as figures of people running from the explosion have been burned permanently into history.
The best time to visit Pompeii is during spring, after the rains of March and before the scorching heat of June and July. On the downside, this is the beginning of the busy season for tourists, so while you'll enjoy pleasant weather, you won't be likely to avoid crowds. Conversely, November starts the low-season for travel, so you can easily skip the crowds, though you may have to compromise on weather, as the rains return this time of year. Rain and crowds won't be an issue if you visit during winter, but be warned, temperatures drop down to the 50's during the day, accompanied by winds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantander €108Pompeii €151
The average daily cost (per person) in Santander is €108, while the average daily cost in Pompeii is €151. 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 Pompeii in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantander €51Pompeii €70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantander €102Pompeii €140
Compare Hotels in Santander and Pompeii
Looking for a hotel in Santander or Pompeii? 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 Pompeii Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santander €24Pompeii €54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $252
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pompeii
Also for Pompeii, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Organic Wine Tasting & Lunch on Vesuvius with Transfer from Pompeii: $132
- Private transfer Ravello to Naples: $121
- Private transfer from Ravello to Naples: $121
- Small Group Pompeii Wine Tasting with Lunch & Transfer Included : $97
- Transfer Private from Ravello to Naples: $239
- Transfer Ravello to Naples: $121
- Transfer from Pompeii to Naples or viceversa: $66
- Transfers Ravello - Naples: $207
- Transfers from Naples to Sorrento Positano Amalfi Ravello Maiori: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Pompeii?
Prices for flights to both Pompeii 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 €41Pompeii €35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pompeii
For Pompeii, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Neapolitan Dinner in Pompei - Villa Franca - Family Restourant: $38
- Cooking Class with Italian Mamma in Pompeii: $65
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Pompei: $93
- Pompei tour with a 2000 years roman dinner: $112
- Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Pompei: $142
- Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Pompei: $158
- Private Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner in Pompei: $158
- Private market tour and cooking class with lunch or dinner in Pompei: $206
- guided tour of the ruins and cooking class fresh pasta : $272
- Cooking class: Pasta Experience in Pompei, Italy: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santander €18Pompeii €77
Tours and Activities in Santander
Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- From Cantabria Private Tour: $492
- From Gastronomic Tour: $128
- From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
- From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
- Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $55
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Gastronomy tour: $120
- Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
- Picos de Europa and Potes Guided Tour from Santander : $84
- Private Puente Viesgo Caves Full-Day Tour from Santander: $213
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
Tours and Activities in Pompeii
For Pompeii, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- The Rise, Fall, and Rediscovery of A Self-Guided Tour: $20
- Pompeii Express 1 hour Guided Tour: $21
- Pompeii Ticket with Optional Guided Tour: $31
- PompeiI VIP: Guided Tour with your Archaeologist in a Small Group : $32
- Entrance ticket to the Valle dell'Orso Water Park: $33
- Pompeii for kids or adults skip the line small group walking tour 2 hours: $33
- Pompeii Skip the Line ticket + Audioguide: $35
- Pompeii Archeological Site Fast Track Entry Ticket : $36
- Pompeii tour with archaeologist: $38
- Pompeii Tour with experienced guide: $38
- guided tour of the archaeological excavations of Pompeii: $38
- Semi-Private Tour of Pompeii Ruins: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantander €14Pompeii €7.31
Sample the Local Flavors in Pompeii
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Pompeii:
- Wine Tasting Tour on the Slopes of Vesuvius: $46
- Wine Tasting on Mt. Vesuvius: $55
- Seafood Lunch with Wine Tasting & Tour on a golf cart: $87
- Guided Tour of Pompeii Ruins with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $98
- Private Wine Tour and Tasting in Pompeii with a Local: $124
- Pompeii Guided Tour & Horse Riding on Vesuvius with Wine Tasting: $191
- Pompeii, Herculaneum and scenic drive of the Mt. Vesuvius with wine tasting: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santander and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii 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 Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii 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 Pompeii Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santander or Pompeii?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Santander or Pompeii in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Santander as well as Pompeii. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pompeii this time of year.
Santander is cooler than Pompeii in the summer. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Pompeii fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santander this time of the year. In the summer, Santander often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun.
Santander usually gets more rain in July than Pompeii. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantander 19°C (66°F)Pompeii 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Santander or Pompeii in the Autumn?
Both Pompeii and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Santander is around the same temperature as Pompeii. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santander in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Pompeii averages at about 17°C (63°F).
Santander usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during autumn. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pompeii. It's quite rainy in Santander. In October, Santander usually receives around the same amount of rain as Pompeii. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantander 16°C (60°F)Pompeii 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Santander or Pompeii in the Winter?
Both Pompeii and Santander during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Pompeii in the winter for the museums.
In January, Santander is generally a little warmer than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 9°C (49°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Santander often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun.
Pompeii 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 January than Pompeii. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantander 9°C (49°F)Pompeii 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Santander or Pompeii in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Pompeii.
Santander is around the same temperature as Pompeii in the spring. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Pompeii fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Santander usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during spring. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.
Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Santander usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantander 12°C (53°F)Pompeii 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Pompeii and Santander
| Santander | Pompeii | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.