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

Should you visit Santander or Rome?

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

Where Should I go: Santander or Rome?

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.

Rome

Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.

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 Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Rome 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 Rome is €170. 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 Rome in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santander 51
    Rome 89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santander 102
    Rome 178
Compare Hotels in Santander and Rome

Looking for a hotel in Santander or Rome? 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 Rome


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 Rome Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santander 24
    Rome 21

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: $252
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    2.00
  • Train to the Airport
    15
  • Taxi to Airport
    45
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • Fiumicino Airport Rome (FCO) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $224
  • Private Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Civitavecchia Cruise Port: $207
  • Rome Private Transfer To Civitavecchia Sea port: $96
  • Rome hotels to Venice Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $293
  • Transfer from Civitavecchia port to Fco Rome airport or Rome : $250
  • Transfer from and to Airport - from and to Port - from and to hotel: $164
  • Airport Transfer to Rome City Hotels - Private Car Service: $65
  • Airport transfer: $120
  • All Italy: Private Premium Transfers in Rome: $76
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Ciampino Airport CIA to Rome City in Business Car: $95
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome City in Luxury Car: $152
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome City in Luxury Van: $125

Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Rome?

Prices for flights to both Rome 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
    Rome 47

Typical Food Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    14
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    2.99
  • Cafe e doce
    4.00
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    2.65
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    32
  • Cheese and bread
    10
  • Espresso
    2.00
  • Dinner
    58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

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

  • Award-Winning Roman Food Tours: $16
  • Tipsy Food Crawl Walking Tour with Dinner: $31
  • Vatican and Trionfale Farmers Market Food tour and Wine tasting : $32
  • Food Tour of the Vatican with Farmers Market and Wine Tasting: $32
  • Rome Food Tour with Wine Tasting and Farmers Market in Prati Area: $32
  • Guided Food Tour with Food and Drink Tastings: $33
  • Roman Master Chef Cooking Class with Wine: $36
  • Roman Dinner & History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $37
  • Painting & Pizza Party with Unlimited Wine: $40
  • Campo dei Fiori & Jewish Ghetto area Street Food Tour: $42
  • Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $43
  • Wine Tasting and Food Tour at Vatican and Trionfale Farmers: $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santander 18
    Rome 36

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    69
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    33
  • Roma Pass
    30
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    20
  • Segway Tour
    75

Tours and Activities in Rome

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

  • Bergamo Old Town: Discovery Walk & Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Cambridge: Discovery Walk & Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.26
  • Piazza del Popolo and Historical Sights Walking Tour in Rome: $3.27
  • Shared 4 Hours Guided tour of the House of the Emperor Hadrian: $5.11
  • From 1-Way Bus Ticket to Naples or Vice Versa: $5.31
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Rome: $5.33
  • Bergamo Old Town: City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.35
  • Twilight Treasures: An Evening Tour Through Rome's Rich History: $5.44
  • Civitavecchia's Stories and Secrets: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
  • What Emperor Hadrian Lost: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ancient Rome: $5.99
  • St. Peter's Basilica Rome Audio Tour Experience: $5.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santander 14
    Rome 18

Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:


  • Bottle of Wine
    6.50
  • Pint of Beer
    6.34
  • Beer
    10

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:

  • Trionfale and Prati Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $31
  • Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour: $32
  • Vatican Food and Wine Tasting Tour next to the Sistine Chapel: $32
  • Cabaret & Burlesque Show: $32
  • Vatican Quarter and Trionfale Farmers Market Food and Wine Tour: $43
  • Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $52
  • Tipsy Tour: Fun Bar Crawl In Rome With Local Guide : $53
  • Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $55
  • Frascati Wine Tasting Experience & Vineyards Tour : $61
  • Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Trasteve Villa: $68
  • E-Bike Night Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $68
  • Private Wine Tasting in Trastevere: $71


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santander and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santander or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Rome, 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 Rome?

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 Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome and Santander are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Rome in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Santander is cooler than Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Rome. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually receives less sunshine than Rome during summer. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santander usually receives more rain than Rome. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santander 19°C (66°F) 
    Rome 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Santander or Rome in the Autumn?

Both Rome and Santander during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Santander is around the same temperature as Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santander in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Santander often gets less sunshine than Rome. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually gets more rain in October than Rome. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Santander or Rome in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santander and Rome. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rome because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Santander is generally a little warmer than Rome. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 9°C (49°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Santander usually receives less sunshine than Rome during winter. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santander usually receives more rain than Rome. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santander 9°C (49°F) 
    Rome 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Santander or Rome in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Santander as well as Rome. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

Santander is cooler than Rome in the spring. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. In the spring, Santander often gets less sunshine than Rome. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. Santander usually gets more rain in April than Rome. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santander 12°C (53°F) 
    Rome 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Rome and Santander

Santander Rome
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)