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

Should you visit Santander or Rijeka?

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

Where Should I go: Santander or Rijeka?

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.

Rijeka

Rijeka is the main seaport city of Croatia. It is located in Kvarner on the Kvarner Bay, which is an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. There are over 100,000 residents, making it Croatia's third largest city. The city's economy is heavily dependent on shipbuilding and maritime transport. There is also the University of Rijeka, which was founded in 1973 with roots dating back to 1632.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Adventure Tours to Croatia, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Rijeka 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 Rijeka is €95. 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 Rijeka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santander 51
    Rijeka 50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santander 102
    Rijeka 100
Compare Hotels in Santander and Rijeka

Looking for a hotel in Santander or Rijeka? 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 Rijeka


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 Rijeka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santander 24
    Rijeka 16

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Rijeka?

Prices for flights to both Rijeka 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
    Rijeka 34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santander 18
    Rijeka 8.89

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

Tours and Activities in Rijeka

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

  • Drava Sup Exploring Adventure: $44
  • History of Military Forts Guided Tour: $64
  • Tour the underground with no experience required: $64
  • From Golden Island of Krk Tour: $93
  • Pula, Rovinj, and Panoramic Istrian Coast Tour: $121
  • Istria Highlights Tour from Rijeka or Pula: $122
  • Private Guided Walking Tour: $127
  • Private Walking Cultural Tour of Rijeka: $235
  • Ucka Mountain: Guided Hiking Tour: $449
  • Private Sunset Boat Tour: $631

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santander 14
    Rijeka 16


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


Which is Bigger, Santander or Rijeka?

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

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 Rijeka in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Rijeka. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rijeka this time of year.

Santander is cooler than Rijeka in the summer. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Rijeka fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rijeka this time of the year. In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santander usually receives less sunshine than Rijeka during summer. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santander usually receives less rain than Rijeka. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santander 19°C (66°F) 
    Rijeka 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Santander or Rijeka in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Santander as well as Rijeka. Also, many travelers come to Rijeka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Santander is around the same temperature as Rijeka. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santander in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Rijeka averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Santander often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 167 hours of full sun.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santander usually gets more rain in October than Rijeka. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Santander 16°C (60°F) 
    Rijeka 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Santander or Rijeka in the Winter?

Both Rijeka and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Rijeka in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Santander is generally much warmer than Rijeka. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 9°C (49°F), and Rijeka fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Santander usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rijeka during winter. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Rijeka receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Santander. In January, Santander usually receives more rain than Rijeka. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santander 9°C (49°F) 
    Rijeka 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Santander or Rijeka in the Spring?

Both Rijeka and Santander during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rijeka for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Santander is cooler than Rijeka in the spring. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Rijeka fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Santander often gets less sunshine than Rijeka. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rijeka receives 177 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually gets more rain in April than Rijeka. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Rijeka receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santander 12°C (53°F) 
    Rijeka 13°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Rijeka and Santander

Santander Rijeka
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 13°C (56°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 24°C (74°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 102 mm (4 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 6°C (44°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)