Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Seville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Seville or Cartagena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Seville and Cartagena. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Seville or Cartagena?
Seville
The capital city of Andalucia, Seville is both the cultural and financial hub of southern Spain. It's also a popular tourist destination. The city has over 700,000 residents and 1.6 million in the metropolitan area, making it the fourth largest city in the country. It is cut in half by the Guadalquivir River, with the two halves referred to as Sevilla and Triana. Seville has continued to grow in popularity as a tourist destination since the 19th century when it was included as a stop on the Romantic "Grand Tour" of Europe. In 1992 Seville hosted the International Exposition which led to the construction of a new airport, train station, as well as other infrastructural improvements. Today Seville remains very popular with tourists for its many festivals, interesting attractions, great restaurants and nightlife scene.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
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 Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeville €125Cartagena €44
The average daily cost (per person) in Seville is €125, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €44. 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 Seville and Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeville €58Cartagena €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeville €116Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Seville and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Seville or Cartagena? 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: Seville Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seville €18Cartagena €6.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seville
Also for Seville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport transfer from Monte Gordo to Seville: $215
- Arrival Private Transfer Seville Airport SVQ to Seville City by Business Car: $60
- Arrival Private Transfer Seville Airport SVQ to Seville City by Luxury Van: $97
- Caminito del Rey from Seville with semiprivate transfer: $191
- Departure Private Transfer: Seville City to Seville Airport SVQ by Business Car: $60
- From Full-Day Private Transfer to Granada via Ronda: $343
- From Private Transfer to Granada and Córdoba Tour: $386
- From Private Transfer to Granada with Tour of Ronda: $398
- Granada: Full-Day Trip from Seville with Transfers: $173
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Sevilla Airport: $44
- Private Arrival Transfer: Seville Airport to Hotel: $93
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Seville Airport: $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- 15. Transfer to SANTA MARTA from Cartagena Private or vice versa.: $290
- Cartagena to Santa Marta Private Transfer Service: $268
- Cartagena to Santa Marta (or vice versa) Private Transfer : $265
- 8. Transfer to BARRANQUILLA from Cartagena Private or vice versa: $160
- San Diego to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $157
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $156
- 20. Transfer Rafael N. Airport-HOTEL LAS ISLAS-CALABLANCA: $142
- Cartagena to or from Tayrona Park Private Transfer: $136
- Cartagena to or from Santa Marta Private Transfer: $125
- Full-Day in Isla del Encanto with Lunch and Transfer to the Pier: $114
- Walking Tour with Transfers - Gabriel García Márquez & Cartagena Walled City: $110
- Cartagena Rafael Nunez Airport (CTG): Transfer to Cartagena: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Seville or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena and Seville 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 daySeville €37Cartagena €9.13
Typical Food Prices in Seville
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Seville:
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Lunch€9.50
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Ice Cream€2.30
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Jamon (Dry Cured Ham)€12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seville
For Seville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flamenco at El Palacio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $28
- Ugly Delicious Food Tour: $38
- Paella Showcooking with Rooftop Views in Seville City: $43
- El Patio Sevillano Flamenco Show Ticket & Dinner: $43
- Paella-Cooking Experience with Sangria & Full Meal: $46
- Flavors of Andalucía Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $46
- Flamenco Show at Tablao El Arenal with Drink and Optional Dinner or Tapas : $47
- Oriental dinner with a view of the Giralda: $57
- Paella & Sangria Showcooking Experience on a Rooftop: $60
- Paella Showcooking Experience on a Rooftop: $60
- Paella Cooking Experience on a Rooftop Terrace: $64
- The Seville Morning Food Tour: $69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seville €29Cartagena €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seville
For Seville, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance to Cathedral€8.00
Tours and Activities in Seville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Seville.
- SEVILLE in one day: GPS-AutoGuided Audio Tour: $1.08
- Barrio de Santa Cruz Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.23
- Ticket to the Flamenco Dress Museum: $3.23
- Triana Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio: $3.23
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Walking Tour of Sevilla's Historic Sites: $3.28
- Sevilla: Best Monumental Free Walking Tour: $3.28
- Cultural Walking Tour of Seville Monumental: $3.29
- Self Audio Guided Tour in Seville Cathedral: $4.38
- Unveil Flamenco's World through a Self-Guided Tour: $4.63
- Seville Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour (EN, ES): $5.40
- City Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beach Buggy ATV Adventure Tour CARTAGENA: $135
- Eco cultural Historical Tour beyond Old City! + Pool: $98
- Exciting Beach Buggy ATV Tour in Cartagena : $165
- Palenque Native Guide, free entrance tickets, dance show & lunch: $110
- Playa Morena Beach Club Whith Lunch And Walking tour of fort San Fernando: $39
- Private Beach Tour in Barú and Optional Bird Aviary: $120
- Private Tour & the best coffee of the world in Cartagena (Also for cruisers): $250
- Private city tour: $197
- Shore excursion Accessible sightseeing tour : $250
- Tour around the Rosario Islands 4 islands: $65
- "Essential Cartagena" Private Tour. : $70
- 16. Punta Arena Tour (Tierra Bomba Island): $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeville €10Cartagena €8.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Seville
Also in Seville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sherry Wine Tasting with Views of Sevilla: $32
- Sherry Wine Tasting with Views of Sevilla: $33
- Sherry Wine Tasting with Views of Sevilla: $39
- Sherry Wine Tasting with Views of Sevilla: $43
- Flamenco show with wine tasting and tapas at Bodega La Jara: $49
- Seville Traditional Tapas and Wine Tour: $93
- Half-Day Wine Tour in Andalusia: $96
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour in Sevilla Spain: $97
- From Tour of Jerez with Horse Show & Wine Tasting: $113
- Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour: $114
- Jerez and Cadiz Wine Tasting & Horse Show Day Trip: $128
- County Wine Tasting: $164
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seville and Cartagena, we can see that Seville is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Seville is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Seville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seville than you might in Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Seville Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seville or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Seville. When comparing the sizes of Seville and Cartagena, 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 Seville or Cartagena?
Seville has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Seville or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Seville as well as Cartagena. Many travelers come to Seville for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
Seville is around the same temperature as Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Seville averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seville this time of the year. In the summer, Seville often gets more sunshine than Cartagena. Seville gets 360 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun.
Seville usually gets less rain in July than Cartagena. Seville gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySeville 27°C (81°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Seville or Cartagena in the Autumn?
Both Cartagena and Seville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Seville in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Seville is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Seville in October average around 20°C (67°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seville. Seville usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during autumn. Seville gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Cartagena. In October, Seville usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Seville gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSeville 20°C (67°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Seville or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Seville during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Seville for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
In January, Seville is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Seville average around 11°C (51°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Seville often gets less sunshine than Cartagena. Seville gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun.
Seville usually gets more rain in January than Cartagena. Seville gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySeville 11°C (51°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Seville or Cartagena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Seville and Cartagena. The spring months attract visitors to Seville because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Seville is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Seville averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Seville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Seville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena during spring. Seville gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Seville usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Seville gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSeville 16°C (61°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Seville
| Seville | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 32 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (67°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.