Which place is cheaper, Santander 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 Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Santander? 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 Santander?
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.
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.
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 €91Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago de Compostela is €91, while the average daily cost in Santander is €108. 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 Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago de Compostela €37Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago de Compostela €74Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Santiago de Compostela and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Santiago de Compostela or Santander? 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 and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago de Compostela €38Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago de Compostela
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:
- Airport transfer Santiago de Compostela: $71
- 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
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: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago de Compostela or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander 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 €19Santander €41
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 €39Santander €18
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 A Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Secrets of Private Self-Guided Audio 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
- Museum Tour of Galician Culture: $16
- Queimada Experience Show and Tasting: $16
- Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and Museum Guided Tour: $16
- Santiago: Cathedral & Museum Tour & Pórtico of Glory Option: $16
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago de Compostela €23Santander €14
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: $214
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago de Compostela and Santander, we can see that Santander 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 Santander would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santander 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 Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Santander?
Santander has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela and Santander, 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 Santiago de Compostela or Santander?
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 Santiago de Compostela or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.
In the summer, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).
It's quite sunny in Santander. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Santiago de Compostela gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Santander. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySantiago de Compostela 19°C (66°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Santander in the Autumn?
Both Santander and Santiago de Compostela during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Santiago de Compostela is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 16°C (61°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela often gets more sunshine than Santander. Santiago de Compostela gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.
Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSantiago de Compostela 16°C (61°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Santander in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Santander. Many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Santiago de Compostela is a little warmer than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 11°C (51°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Santiago de Compostela usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Santiago de Compostela gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the winter. Santiago de Compostela gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Santiago de Compostela usually receives less rain than Santander. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySantiago de Compostela 11°C (51°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Santander in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Santander. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Santiago de Compostela often gets more sunshine than Santander. Santiago de Compostela gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Santiago de Compostela usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSantiago de Compostela 13°C (55°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Santiago de Compostela
| Santiago de Compostela | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 15°C (58°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (67°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 157 mm (6.2 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.