Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Toledo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Toledo or Santillana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Toledo or Santillana, 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.
Where Should I go: Toledo or Santillana?
Toledo
Set upon a hill above the plains of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain lies the ancient city of Toledo. Its intricate architecture is only enriched by its profound historical background, spurring tourists from all over the world to gaze at and study the story of Toledo. It has been given many names throughout its history, including the "Imperial City" for being the main venue for Charles V, Holy Roman Empire, as well as the "City of the Three Cultures" for its historical co-existence of Christians, Muslims, and Jews. In 1986, UNESCO named Toledo a World Heritage Site due to the plethora of extensive cultural and monumental heritages. You will find that though an old city, it is just buzzing to life with things to do and places to see!
Santillana
A quaint town outside of Santander in northern Spain, Santillana de Mar is renowned for its medieval architecture. One of Spain's prettiest villages, Santillana del Mar and its cobbled streets are lined with palaces, churches, and balconies full of flowers. There are plenty of traditional shops selling local specialties, and it is nearby the UNESCO world heritage site of the Altamira Caves for something a little different.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, and The Best Luxury Tours to Spain.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayToledo €123Santillana €105
The average daily cost (per person) in Toledo is €123, while the average daily cost in Santillana is €105. 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 Toledo and Santillana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personToledo €66Santillana €60
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomToledo €132Santillana €120
Compare Hotels in Toledo and Santillana
Looking for a hotel in Toledo or Santillana? 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: Toledo Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Toledo €20Santillana €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toledo
Also for Toledo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Puy du Fou Round-Trip Transfer: $24
- Hot Air Balloon over Toledo with optional transfers from Madrid : $234
- Madrid: Private Airport Transfer to Toledo: $180
- Madrid: Puy du Fou Round-Trip Transfer & Optional Ticket: $36
- Private Transfer from Toledo or Avila to MAD Airport by MiniVan: $176
- Balloon Ride with Transfer Option from Madrid: $262
Is it cheaper to fly into Toledo or Santillana?
Prices for flights to both Santillana and Toledo 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 dayToledo €39Santillana €30
Typical Food Prices in Toledo
For Toledo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch€11
Typical Food Prices in Santillana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:
-
Breakfast€7.00
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Toledo €30Santillana €23
Tours and Activities in Toledo
For Toledo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Toledo Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $4.28
- City of the Three Cultures Guided Walking Tour: $5.35
- Hospital de Tavera Entrance Ticket: $5.35
- Escape Game and Tour: $5.35
- Auidio Tour - Toledo - Monuments of the 3 cultures: $6.41
- Toledo Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- English Tour - Toledo Complete + Visit Casa Palacio: $8.56
- Underground Guided Tour with Entry Ticket: $8.56
- Tour of the Inquisition and Witchcraft in Toledo: $8.56
- The Enchanted City: A Mysterious Tour of Toledo: $8.56
- Legends and Secrets Walking Tour in Spanish: $11
Tours and Activities in Santillana
Here are a few actual costs in Santillana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Memorable Family Walking Tour in Ancient Santillana del Mar: $428
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayToledo €19Santillana €4.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Toledo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toledo:
- From Madrid: Toledo Tour with Wine Tasting and 7 Monuments: $58
Sample the Local Flavors in Santillana
Also in Santillana, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santillana Uncorked: A Wine Tasting Adventure: $1,022
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toledo and Santillana, we can see that Toledo is more expensive. And not only is Santillana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santillana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santillana 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 Toledo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toledo than you might in Santillana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Toledo Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Toledo or Santillana?
Toledo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Toledo and Santillana, 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.
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.