Which place is cheaper, Cantabria or Santiago de Compostela?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Cantabria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Cantabria? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Santiago de Compostela or Cantabria?
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.
Cantabria
Occupying Spain's northern coast, the region of Cantabria is known for its mountains, cave paintings, and the capital city of Santander. Its diverse landscape allows for locals and visitors alike to hit the beach in the summer and go on mountain adventures in the winter. While these natural features alone are breathtaking, there is also much to say for Cantabria's quaint seaside towns, fresh cuisine, and rich history.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago de Compostela €91Cantabria €107
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago de Compostela is €91, while the average daily cost in Cantabria is €107. 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 Santiago de Compostela and Cantabria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago de Compostela €37Cantabria €54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago de Compostela €74Cantabria €108
Compare Hotels in Santiago de Compostela and Cantabria
Looking for a hotel in Santiago de Compostela or Cantabria? 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: Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago de Compostela €38Cantabria €22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago de Compostela
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:
- Airport transfer Santiago de Compostela: $70
- Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $38
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $51
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago de Compostela or Cantabria?
Prices for flights to both Cantabria and Santiago de Compostela 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 daySantiago de Compostela €19Cantabria €36
Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:
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Raspberries€3.50
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Ice Cream€2.00
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Cookie€1.00
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Kebab€7.25
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Dinner & Tapas (for 2)€28
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Tuna Empanada€3.50
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Fruit Shake€3.50
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Crepe€4.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago de Compostela €39Cantabria €20
Tours and Activities in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Old Town of Santiago de Compostela Walking Tour: $1.09
- Secrets of Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Secrets of A Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Old town walking tour with an Official Guide: $11
- Guided Tour of the Old Town with an Official Guide: $11
- Hostal de los Reyes Católicos Tour: $13
- Land of Legends & Meigas Night Tour: $13
- Night Tour Land of Legends and Meigas: $13
- Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and Museum Guided Tour: $16
- Queimada Experience Show and Tasting: $16
- Santiago: Cathedral & Museum Tour & Pórtico of Glory Option: $16
- Museum Tour of Galician Culture: $16
Tours and Activities in Cantabria
Here are a few actual costs in Cantabria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- From Bilbao: Villages of Cantabria Private Tour with Lunch: $263
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago de Compostela €23Cantabria €12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:
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1 Pint Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela
Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $31
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $32
- Albariño Wine Tasting with Winery Tour: $33
- Premium Porto Santiago Compostela tour lunch & wine tasting: $202
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago de Compostela and Cantabria, we can see that Cantabria is more expensive. And not only is Santiago de Compostela much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santiago de Compostela would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago de Compostela 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 Cantabria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cantabria than you might in Santiago de Compostela.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive? and Is Cantabria Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Santiago de Compostela or Cantabria?
Cantabria has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Cantabria, 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.
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.