A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Setubal vs. Montpellier for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Setubal or Montpellier?

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 Setubal and Montpellier can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Setubal or Montpellier?

Setubal

Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.

Montpellier

Montpellier is the 8th largest city of France, and also has been the fastest growing city in the country over the past 25 years. Graceful and easy-going, Montpellier is a stylish metropolis with elegant buildings, grand hotels, private mansions, stately boulevards and shady backstreets, and gorgeous white-sand beaches on its doorstep. Unlike many southern towns, Montpellier has no Roman heritage. Instead it was founded in the 10th century by the counts of Toulouse and later became a prosperous trading port as well as a scholarly center - Europe's first medical school was established here in the 12th century. The population swelled in the 1960s when many French settlers left independent Algeria and relocated here, and it's now France's fastest-growing city and one of its most multicultural areas. Students make up over a third of the population, giving it a spirited vibe.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Montpellier or Setubal?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is €123, while the average daily cost in Montpellier is €118. 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 Setubal and Montpellier in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Setubal 59
    Montpellier 69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Setubal 118
    Montpellier 138
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Montpellier

Looking for a hotel in Setubal 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 Setubal


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: Setubal Hotel Prices and Montpellier Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Setubal 54
    Montpellier 26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal

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

  • Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $22
  • Paragliding experience near Lisbon with transfers from Lisbon: $148
  • Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $82
  • Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $197

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montpellier

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montpellier:

  • Private Transfer from Sète Cruise Port to Marseille city hotels: $131
  • Transfer from Sète Port to Marseille Provence Airport MRS: $131
  • Montpellier Private Transfer from Montpellier city centre to Montpellier Airport: $74
  • Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport Transfer: $64
  • Transfer Montpellier Airport and Beziers Airport: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Montpellier?

Prices for flights to both Montpellier and Setubal 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
    Setubal 35
    Montpellier 31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montpellier

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

  • Guided Food Tour With Local Snacks and Wine: $91
  • Montpellier Food Tour: $93
  • From Pic Saint-Loup Wine and Food Tour: $102
  • Cooking workshop: $106
  • Private cooking class with specialized chefs Montpellier: $108
  • Fusion Food Cooking Class: $428

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Setubal 12
    Montpellier 12

Tours and Activities in Setubal

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

  • Evora Highlights Walking Tour Audio and GPS Guided: $7.59
  • Évora Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
  • Museu Nacional Frei Manuel do Cenáculo: E-ticket with Audio: $17
  • Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $38
  • Kayak tour from Sesimbra to Ribeira do Cavalo Beach, passing through the caves: $38
  • Half-Day Kayak Tour in Sesimbra: $38
  • Setúbal: Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour: $40
  • Arrábida: Rock Climbing Experience: $43
  • Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $44
  • Small Group Kayak Tour along Sesimbra - Arrábida Natural Park: $44
  • Tour to the caves of Sesimbra: $44
  • 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel : $49

Tours and Activities in Montpellier

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

  • CityTour and Photo Portraits Souvenirs in Montpellier: $38
  • From Half-Day Vineyard & Pic Saint-Loup Tour: $80
  • From Wine and Olive Tour: $75
  • Highlights of Sète : history, food and wine experience: $174
  • Legendary Montpellier, flexible legends and storytelling tour: $16
  • Montpellier - Private Historic Walking tour: $428
  • Montpellier Private Guided Walking Tour: $307
  • Montpellier Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $270
  • Montpellier Wine and Oyster Tour: $86
  • Half-Day Hiking Tour of Pic Saint Loup & Picnic: $64
  • Personalized Day-Tour of the South of France: $1,059
  • Photoshoot Experience: $159

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Setubal 10
    Montpellier 15

Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:

  • Jeep Tour through Arrábida Azeitão and Wine Tasting: $56
  • Monsaraz and Wine Tasting Tour from Évora: $71
  • Alentejo Wine Tour from Évora: $76
  • Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $106
  • Wine Tour, discovering the famous Setúbal Moscatel: $137
  • Private Full Day Evora & Alentejo Wine Tour from Lisbon : $152
  • Private Wine Tour from Lisbon to Arrábida: Wine & Cheese Tasting: $170

Sample the Local Flavors in Montpellier

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

  • The Châteaux of Grès de Montpellier & Wine Tasting: $80
  • Small-Group Half-Day Châteaux of Montpellier Wine Tour: $84
  • Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup Wine Tour from Montpellier: $84
  • Wine tour in Pic Saint-Loup area: $142
  • Half-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $155
  • Montpellier : half day wine tour in Camargue: $159
  • Private Half-Day Languedoc Wine Tour from Sète: $240
  • Sète: Private Half–Day Wine Tour: $353


When comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Montpellier, we can see that Setubal 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 Setubal Expensive? and Is Montpellier Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Setubal or Montpellier?

Montpellier has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Setubal and Montpellier, 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 Setubal or Montpellier?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Setubal or Montpellier in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Montpellier. Also, most visitors come to Montpellier for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Setubal is generally around the same temperature as Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 23°C (73°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In the summer, Setubal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Setubal usually gets less rain in July than Montpellier. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Setubal 23°C (73°F) 
    Montpellier 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Montpellier in the Autumn?

Both Montpellier and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Setubal is a little warmer than Montpellier in the autumn. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montpellier. In October, Setubal usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Setubal 19°C (66°F) 
    Montpellier 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Montpellier in the Winter?

Both Montpellier and Setubal during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

In the winter, Setubal is much warmer than Montpellier. Typically, the winter temperatures in Setubal in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Montpellier averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Setubal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually gets more rain in January than Montpellier. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Setubal 12°C (53°F) 
    Montpellier 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Setubal or Montpellier in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Montpellier. Furthermore, many travelers come to Montpellier for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Setubal is generally a little warmer than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 16°C (60°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montpellier this time of the year. In Setubal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Setubal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montpellier during spring. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Setubal usually receives more rain than Montpellier. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Setubal 16°C (60°F) 
    Montpellier 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Setubal

Setubal Montpellier
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 19°C (67°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (60°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 10°C (51°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)