A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santorini vs. Montpellier for Couples, Beaches, Backpackers, and Families

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Should you visit Santorini or Montpellier?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Montpellier, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Santorini

Santorini is a romantic, stunning, and historic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a friendly, historic, and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches and shopping.

Santorini and Montpellier: Pros and Cons

Santorini
Pros
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Quaint atmosphere
Montpellier
Pros
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty


How is Santorini different from Montpellier?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Montpellier and Santorini. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Santorini or Montpellier Better for Beaches?

Santorini
Montpellier

Both Santorini and Montpellier have beaches worth visiting.

Santorini has a beach worth visiting. The island has many beaches, most of which are made of black pebbly sand that are a result of the island's volcanic history. Popular beaches include Perissa Beach, Kamari Beach, and Perivolos Beach.

The beaches at Montpellier attract visitors from all over. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.


Is Santorini or Montpellier Better for Shopping?

Santorini
Montpellier

If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Montpellier both offer plenty of spots.

Santorini is well-known for its shopping. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Santorini or Montpellier Better for Families?

Santorini
Montpellier

Santorini and Montpellier are both fun destinations for the whole family.

Santorini offers lots of family activities. It is a calmer destination than many of the Greek Islands. While it's a great place to relax with kids, the beaches aren't as good as they are on some of the other islands. Most families hang out in Kamari and Perissa Beach.

Montpellier is a family-friendly place to visit. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Is Santorini or Montpellier Better for Couples?

Santorini
Montpellier

Santorini and Montpellier are both fun to visit as a couple.

Santorini has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It is a dream honeymoon destination that is famous for its picturesque setting and luxury resorts. For many couples, this is a top pick for a romantic trip to the Greek Isles.

Montpellier is a very popular place to visit for couples. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Is Santorini or Montpellier Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santorini
Montpellier

For backpackers, both Santorini and Montpellier are fairly comparable places to visit.

It's common for backpackers to visit Santorini. The island has its share of 5 star resorts, but if you head a few streets in you'll find some surprisingly affordable accommodation. Backpackers are welcomed on the island and beaches are free, so it's possible to get by on a relatively low budget.

Montpellier is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.


Is Santorini or Montpellier Better for Public Transit?

Santorini
Montpellier

Santorini and Montpellier both offer public transit to get you around.

While Santorini offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system, KTEL Santorini Buses, that runs 23 buses during the summer months but only a small fraction of that operate during the winter months.

Montpellier offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Is Santorini or Montpellier a more walkable city?

Santorini
Montpellier

Santorini and Montpellier are similar when it comes to walkability.

Santorini is a somewhat walkable place. Many towns on the island are walkable, including Fira, but the actual island is too large to explore on foot.

Montpellier is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

Should I spend more time in Montpellier or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Montpellier?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Santorini and Montpellier. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Santorini than Montpellier.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Santorini is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Montpellier is 1-3 days.


  • How many days in Santorini or Montpellier? Ideal Length of Stay
    Santorini 3-7 
    Montpellier 1-3

One day in Santorini or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the historic island of Santorini. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping around the city of Montpellier. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Montpellier has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Santorini or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Santorini. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find shopping around the beautiful destination of Montpellier. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.


Five days in Santorini or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the romantic island of Santorini. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the beautiful city of Montpellier. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Santorini or Montpellier?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the quaint destination of Santorini. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this island.

Montpellier is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Which city is cheaper, Montpellier or Santorini?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €131, while the average daily cost in Montpellier is €84. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Santorini and Montpellier in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini €66
    Montpellier €45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini €132
    Montpellier €90
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Montpellier

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Montpellier? 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 Santorini


Hotels in Montpellier


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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Montpellier Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini €23
    Montpellier €21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Helicopter Transfer between Mykonos & Santorini: $2,839
  • Oia Sunset: Evening Shuttle Transfer and Free Time: $23
  • Premium Santorini Private Day Tour Lagoon 450, BBQ, drinks, transfer: $933
  • Santorini Airport Hotels Transfer Shuttle Bus Service: $27
  • Santorini Airport to Hotel: Private Arrival Transfer: $45
  • Santorini Taxi Service & Airport, Hotel and Port Transfers: $62
  • Santorini transfer service: $17
  • Private Airport Transfer: $25
  • Private Transfer to/from Santorini Airport (JTR): $50
  • Shared Transfer Service: $17
  • Tour of Caldera on Sailing Boat & Bus Transfer:Volcano-Hot springs-Thirassia-Oia: $75
  • Transfer from Santorini Airport&Port all destination except OIA up to 4 customer: $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montpellier

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montpellier:

  • Transfer Montpelier Airport to Avignon: $411
  • Transfer Montpelier Airport to Nimes City or Nimes Airport: $224
  • Montpellier Private Transfer from Montpellier city centre to Montpellier Airport: $84
  • Private Transfer: Montpellier Airport (MPL) to Montpellier: $62
  • Private Transfer: Montpellier to Montpellier Airport (MPL): $62
  • Departure Transfer Montpellier to Montpellier Airport MPL by Private Vehicle: $26

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Montpellier?

Prices for flights to both Montpellier and Santorini 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
    Santorini €38
    Montpellier €25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini

For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Live Virtual Cooking Class: $26
  • A taste of Mediterranean Cuisine Dinner: $90
  • Hands on Cooking Class with a Chef: $90
  • Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $108
  • Sunset Sea Kayak and Snorkel with Dinner: $108
  • Santorini : Sunset Sea Kayak & Snorkel with Dinner: $118
  • Santorini : Cooking Class, Easy Hike, and Snorkeling: $131
  • Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma: $506
  • Full-Day Royalty Private Cooking Class and Tour in Santorini: $506
  • Cooking Class with Santorini’s Aroma: $546
  • Santorini Private Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner, Drinks &Transfer included: $1,350

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montpellier

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

  • Montpellier countryside dinner with local food & wine: $81
  • Vintage private wine and food tour from Montpellier: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini €29
    Montpellier €9.71

Tours and Activities in Santorini

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.

  • Akrotiri Prehistoric City Audio Tour: $18
  • Unique Oia's Sunset Tour in Santorini: $30
  • Royalty Unique Oia’s Sunset Tour in Santorini: $31
  • Santorini-Unique Oia’s Sunset Tour: $31
  • Island Bus Tour: The Majestic Spots Of Santorini: $43
  • Santorini Volcano and Thirassia Islands Tour: $43
  • Oia and Fira Evening Small Group Tour: $45
  • 3 Hour Santorini Walking Tour with Hotel Pickup: $50
  • Volcanic Sunset Cruise: $58
  • Santorini Traditional Villages and Oia Sunset Tour: $62
  • Santorini-Classic Tour in Traditional Villages: $67
  • Santorini-Classic Tour in Traditional Villages: $71

Tours and Activities in Montpellier

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

  • Camargue and Aigues-Mortes safari tour from Montpellier: $112
  • Full Day Pic Saint Loup Wine and Olive Tour with Lunch from Montpellier: $373
  • Full Day Private Tour of Roman Monuments: $829
  • Full day small-group tour Vineyards and Villages from Montpellier: $149
  • Montpelier Discovery : Big Historic Tour - 1h30: $50
  • Montpellier Private Walking Tour: $230
  • Montpellier Self-Guided Walking Tour with Qula City Trails: $36
  • Montpellier private walking tour: $198
  • Noilly Prat Vermouth Cellar Tour and Tastings in Marseillan: $22
  • Pic Saint Loup Winetour & food: $100
  • Private 2-hour Walking Tour of the Historical Center of Montpellier: $199
  • Private 4-hour City Tour of Montpellier with Hotel pick-up and drop off: $664

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini €21
    Montpellier €12

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • 4-Hours Santorini Vothonas Village Tour with Wine Tasting: $89
  • Authentic Santorinian Tour at Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting: $93
  • Half-Day Santorini Tour Vothonas Village with Wine Tasting: $93
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Αround Megalochori Village: $111
  • Sunset and Wine Tasting Tour by Electric Bike: $114
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village: $117
  • Santorini-Wine Tour Around Megalochori Village: $124
  • Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting: $134
  • Santorini-Sunset Caldera’s View from Megalochori with Wine Tasting: $140
  • Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini with Pick Up: $141
  • Santorini Wine Tasting and History Small Group Tour: $153
  • 4-Hour Sunset Wine Tour: $159

Sample the Local Flavors in Montpellier

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

  • Hike to the top of "Pic Saint Loup" and a wine tasting: $68
  • Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup Wine Tour from Montpellier: $81
  • Small-Group Half-Day Châteaux of Montpellier Wine Tour: $81
  • Private tour: Exclusive Wine Tour in Languedoc from Montpellier: $336

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Montpellier, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Montpellier much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montpellier would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montpellier 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini than you might in Montpellier.

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Santorini vs. Montpellier Travel Comparison

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