Which place is cheaper, Santander or Vigo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vigo or Santander?
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 Vigo and Santander. 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: Vigo or Santander?
Vigo
Originally a small fishing town, Vigo has grown to become the most populated municipality in the region of Galicia in northwestern Spain. Remnants of the old world still exist in its historic center architecture and plazas, while the commodities of a modern city have blended into its boundaries. The old center remains the hub of activity with plenty to see and do, shopping and dining included.
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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVigo €99Santander €108
The average daily cost (per person) in Vigo is €99, 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 Vigo and Santander in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVigo €43Santander €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVigo €86Santander €102
Compare Hotels in Vigo and Santander
Looking for a hotel in Vigo 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: Vigo Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vigo €37Santander €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vigo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vigo:
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Vigo Airport: $54
- Private Transfer from Vigo Cruise Port to Porto Airport (OPO): $43
- Private Transfer from Vigo Cruise Port to Porto Hotels: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $44
- Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $44
- Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $252
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $252
Is it cheaper to fly into Vigo or Santander?
Prices for flights to both Santander and Vigo 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 dayVigo €35Santander €41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vigo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vigo.
- Gourmet Hands on Cooking Class in Galicia with the Chef: $162
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vigo €10Santander €18
Tours and Activities in Vigo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vigo are as follows:
- GROUP walking tour in Vigo: $1.09
- Walking Tour in Pontevedra: $1.09
- Vigo Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
- Vigo Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.94
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Secrets of Pontevedra: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Squares of Pontevedra: $10
- Tui Cathedral Guided Tour: $13
- Abanca Balaídos Tour, RC Celta’s Stadium: $16
- Ticket/Photo-Theme Park and Retro Gamer Activity in Vigo: $17
- Monumental Morning Walking Tour in Pontevedra: $17
- Afternoon Walking Tour in Pontevedra: $18
- Night Walking Tour of Pontevedra: $21
Tours and Activities in Santander
Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $14
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $26
- From Potes, Santillana and Altamira Day Tour: $42
- Full Day Tour Lakes of Covadonga and Santillana from Santander: $46
- Guided Tour by Electric Bike: $53
- Full Day Self Guided Tour in Santillana del Mar and Comillas: $55
- From Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum Tour: $64
- Santoña: Anchovy Factory Tour and Boat Trip: $70
- Tour to the Towns of the Western Coast of Cantabria: $79
- Picos, Santo Toribio Monastery and Potes Day Tour: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVigo €5.71Santander €14
When comparing the travel costs between Vigo and Santander, we can see that Santander 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 Vigo Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vigo or Santander?
Vigo has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Vigo 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 Vigo or Santander?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Vigo or Santander in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vigo and Santander.
In the summer, Vigo is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vigo in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Santander averages at about 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santander this time of the year. In Vigo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vigo usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Vigo gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vigo usually receives less rain than Santander. Vigo gets 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVigo 21°C (70°F)Santander 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Vigo or Santander in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vigo as well as Santander.
In October, Vigo is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Vigo average around 17°C (62°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Vigo often gets more sunshine than Santander. Vigo gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santander. Vigo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Vigo usually gets more rain in October than Santander. Vigo gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVigo 17°C (62°F)Santander 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Vigo or Santander in the Winter?
Both Santander and Vigo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Vigo is around the same temperature as Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Vigo averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Vigo usually receives more sunshine than Santander during winter. Vigo gets 110 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 91 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. It's quite rainy in Vigo. In January, Vigo usually receives more rain than Santander. Vigo gets 232 mm (9.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVigo 10°C (50°F)Santander 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Vigo or Santander in the Spring?
Both Santander and Vigo during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Vigo is a little warmer than Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vigo in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Vigo often gets more sunshine than Santander. Vigo gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun.
Santander gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vigo. Vigo usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Santander. Vigo gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVigo 13°C (56°F)Santander 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santander and Vigo
| Vigo | Santander | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (50°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (52°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (56°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (62°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (51°F) | 228 mm (9 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.