Which place is cheaper, San Sebastian or Vitoria-Gasteiz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian, 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: Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian?
Vitoria-Gasteiz
In the midst of a vast, starry night, medieval cathedrals and ancient buildings are scattered with light across the humming city. This is none other than Vitoria-Gasteiz, a town located in the province of Araba/Alava in northern Spain. Within its border, this city contains Basque Country's House of Parliament, the headquarters of the Government, and the Lehendakari's (Prime Minister's) official residence. In 2012, Vitoria-Gasteiz was awarded the title of European Green Capital and now is one of the top five places to live in Spain. This multicultural city is chock full of amazing national history as well as unique cultural traditions. Vitoria-Gasteiz is also well known for its festivals, including Azkena rock festival, FesTVal, Vitoria-Gasteiz jazz festival, and the Virgen Blanca Festivities. Whether you seek to explore its world-renowned wineries or dine in a chic restaurant, Vitoria-Gasteiz holds an endless amount of possibilities.
San Sebastian
San Sebastián is a city in northern Spain very well known for its summertime fun in the sun. While the streets are cool and happening at night, they take on a different charm by day. Beautiful beaches line the city's edge, right next to elegant historic architecture and churches, topping charts as some of the best city beaches in Europe. The food, too, is said to be some of the best with traditional Basque cuisine as well as the popular pintxo (tapas) bites. San Sebastián is a place of lively culture, teeming with beauty, flavors, and colors.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVitoria-Gasteiz €146San Sebastian €90
The average daily cost (per person) in Vitoria-Gasteiz is €146, while the average daily cost in San Sebastian is €90. 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz and San Sebastian in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVitoria-Gasteiz €69San Sebastian €40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVitoria-Gasteiz €138San Sebastian €80
Compare Hotels in Vitoria-Gasteiz and San Sebastian
Looking for a hotel in Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian? 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: Vitoria-Gasteiz Hotel Prices and San Sebastian Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vitoria-Gasteiz €34San Sebastian €14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Sebastian
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Sebastian:
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Vitoria: $288
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Vitoria Airport : $288
- Private Direct Transfer From Donostia San Sebastian to Bordeaux: $277
- San Sebastián-Bilbao city or airport private transfer: $271
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian city to Bilbao Airport: $266
- Private Transfer from San Sebastian to Bilbao: $266
- Transfer San Sebastian to Bilbao or San Sebastian Airports by Van: $90
- Private Transfer in San Sebastian: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian?
Prices for flights to both San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz 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 dayVitoria-Gasteiz €51San Sebastian €31
Typical Food Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of dining costs in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€55
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Lunch for 2€10
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Lunch for 2€31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Sebastian
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Sebastian.
- San Sebastian Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $114
- San Sebastian Like A Local: Centro Neighborhood Guided Food Tour: $118
- Basque Cuisine Cooking Class with Market Visit: $146
- Authentic Basque Cooking Class in the Old Town: $151
- Private San Sebastian Walking Food Tour: $157
- Dinner in a Gastronomic Club in San Sebastian: $174
- Eat Like a True Basque San Sebastian Authentic Culinary Food Tour: $190
- Basque Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $211
- Michelin Star Secrets Cooking Class in San Sebastian: $211
- Food tour in San Sebastian and Visit to a Gastronomical Club: $224
- History and flavors of San Sebastian for Dinner with Eskerne Falcón: $233
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vitoria-Gasteiz €36San Sebastian €33
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Sebastian
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in San Sebastian are as follows:
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Valle de los Caídos Monument€6.00
Tours and Activities in San Sebastian
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Sebastian are as follows:
- "Basque Cider House" guided tour + meal from San Sebastian: $81
- Basque Coast Road Bike Tour: $107
- Biarritz & La Côte Basque Private tour: $244
- Biarritz and French Coast Small Grop Tour from San Sebastian: $86
- Bilbao city and Guggenheim Museum small group tour: $163
- Chef-Led Market Tour & Pintxo Lunch: $162
- Chef-Led Walking Pintxo Tour of San Sebastián : $270
- Cider House Experience From San Sebastian: $119
- City tour, by electric bicycle: $50
- Coastal "Winery Camino Trail" Walking Tour from San Sebastian: $184
- Electric scooter city tour: $45
- Evening Pintxo-Tapas Tour with Discover San Sebastian: $190
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVitoria-Gasteiz €23San Sebastian €20
Sample the Local Flavors in San Sebastian
Also in San Sebastian, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ultimate San Sebastian Pintxos & Wine Tour (Evening): $140
- Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian: $146
- Best quality food & wine tasting tour in San Sebastian. : $190
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries Visit with Tasting from San Sebastian: $239
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery, Tasting & Lunch from San Sebastian: $249
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vitoria-Gasteiz and San Sebastian, we can see that Vitoria-Gasteiz is more expensive. And not only is San Sebastian much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Sebastian would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Sebastian 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vitoria-Gasteiz than you might in San Sebastian.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vitoria-Gasteiz Expensive? and Is San Sebastian Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian?
Vitoria-Gasteiz has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of San Sebastian. When comparing the sizes of Vitoria-Gasteiz and San Sebastian, 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian?
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 Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian in the Summer?
Both San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Sebastian this time of year.
In the summer, Vitoria-Gasteiz is around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vitoria-Gasteiz in July average around 20°C (68°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 20°C (68°F).
In San Sebastian, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Vitoria-Gasteiz often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 209 hours of full sun.
Vitoria-Gasteiz usually gets less rain in July than San Sebastian. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVitoria-Gasteiz 20°C (68°F)San Sebastian 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vitoria-Gasteiz and San Sebastian. Also, many travelers come to San Sebastian for the shopping scene.
In October, Vitoria-Gasteiz is generally around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Daily temperatures in Vitoria-Gasteiz average around 16°C (62°F), and San Sebastian fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Vitoria-Gasteiz usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during autumn. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Sebastian receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Vitoria-Gasteiz usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVitoria-Gasteiz 16°C (62°F)San Sebastian 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vitoria-Gasteiz as well as San Sebastian. Also, many visitors come to San Sebastian in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Vitoria-Gasteiz is around the same temperature as San Sebastian in the winter. The daily temperature in Vitoria-Gasteiz averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and San Sebastian fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Vitoria-Gasteiz often gets less sunshine than San Sebastian. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Sebastian receives 85 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Sebastian. Vitoria-Gasteiz receives a lot of rain in the winter. Vitoria-Gasteiz usually gets less rain in January than San Sebastian. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVitoria-Gasteiz 9°C (48°F)San Sebastian 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Vitoria-Gasteiz or San Sebastian in the Spring?
Both San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to San Sebastian for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Vitoria-Gasteiz is around the same temperature as San Sebastian. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vitoria-Gasteiz in April average around 12°C (54°F), and San Sebastian averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Vitoria-Gasteiz usually receives less sunshine than San Sebastian during spring. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while San Sebastian receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Sebastian. It's quite rainy in Vitoria-Gasteiz. In April, Vitoria-Gasteiz usually receives less rain than San Sebastian. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while San Sebastian receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVitoria-Gasteiz 12°C (54°F)San Sebastian 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz
| Vitoria-Gasteiz | San Sebastian | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 184 mm (7.2 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.