Which place is cheaper, Santander or Thessaloniki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Thessaloniki or Santander?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Thessaloniki 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: Thessaloniki or Santander?
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
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 Tours for Seniors to Greece, The Best Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayThessaloniki €134Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Thessaloniki is €134, 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 Thessaloniki and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personThessaloniki €79Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomThessaloniki €158Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Thessaloniki and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Thessaloniki 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: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Thessaloniki €13Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Day Trip to Meteora with Transfer: $428
- One Way Private Transfer SKG Airport to / from Thessaloniki City Center: $24
- Private Transfer from Kavala to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $237
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Ammon Zeus Hotel : $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Resort: $109
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Thessaloniki Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki hotels to Thessaloniki Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki to Sofia (SOF) Airport: $254
- Private Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport from Thessaloniki City: $120
- Private transfer to IKOS OLIVIA: $87
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Thessaloniki - Arrival Transfer: $21
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG): Transfer to Thessaloniki Port: $142
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Thessaloniki or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Thessaloniki 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 dayThessaloniki €42Santander €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
- Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
- Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
- Guided Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
- Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
- Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
- Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Thessaloniki €26Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- White Tower Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.54
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour & Narrative: $11
- Selfie Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket: $12
- Thessaloniki Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Byzantine Museum E-Ticket with Audio Tour: $13
- E-ticket to Museum of Byzantine Culture with Audio Tour : $13
- Thessaloniki Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $17
Tours and Activities in Santander
Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- From Cantabria Private Tour: $492
- From Gastronomic Tour: $128
- From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
- From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
- Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $54
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Gastronomy tour: $119
- Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
- Picos de Europa and Potes Guided Tour from Santander : $84
- Private Puente Viesgo Caves Full-Day Tour from Santander: $212
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayThessaloniki €15Santander €14
Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
- From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
- Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
- Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
- Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
- Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Thessaloniki and Santander, we can see that Thessaloniki is more expensive. And not only is Santander much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santander would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santander 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki than you might in Santander.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Thessaloniki Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Thessaloniki or Santander?
Thessaloniki has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki or Santander?
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 Thessaloniki or Santander in the Summer?
Both Santander and Thessaloniki during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
In the summer, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Thessaloniki in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. In the summer, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Santander. Thessaloniki gets 327 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.
Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in July than Santander. Thessaloniki gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyThessaloniki 25°C (77°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Santander in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Thessaloniki and Santander. Many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Thessaloniki is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Thessaloniki average around 16°C (61°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Santander during autumn. Thessaloniki gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Santander. Thessaloniki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberThessaloniki 16°C (61°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Santander in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Thessaloniki as well as Santander. Many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Thessaloniki is much colder than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Thessaloniki averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the winter, Thessaloniki often gets more sunshine than Santander. Thessaloniki gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Thessaloniki usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Thessaloniki gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryThessaloniki 5°C (41°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Thessaloniki or Santander in the Spring?
Both Santander and Thessaloniki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Thessaloniki is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Thessaloniki in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).
Thessaloniki usually receives more sunshine than Santander during spring. Thessaloniki gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. In April, Thessaloniki usually receives less rain than Santander. Thessaloniki gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilThessaloniki 13°C (56°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Thessaloniki
| Thessaloniki | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.