A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Vitoria-Gasteiz vs. Santander for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vitoria-Gasteiz or Santander?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vitoria-Gasteiz or Santander, 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 Santander?

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.

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 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.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Vitoria-Gasteiz?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Vitoria-Gasteiz is €146, 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vitoria-Gasteiz 69
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vitoria-Gasteiz 138
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Vitoria-Gasteiz 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.

Hotels in Vitoria-Gasteiz


Hotels in Santander


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 Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vitoria-Gasteiz 34
    Santander 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander Port to Bilbao Airport: $251
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $251
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $43
  • Santander Private Transfer from Santander Airport to City centre: $43
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $41
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Vitoria-Gasteiz or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Vitoria-Gasteiz 51
    Santander 41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vitoria-Gasteiz 36
    Santander 18

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vitoria-Gasteiz 23
    Santander 14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vitoria-Gasteiz and Santander, we can see that Vitoria-Gasteiz 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 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 Santander.

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 Santander Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Vitoria-Gasteiz or Santander?

Vitoria-Gasteiz has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Santander. When comparing the sizes of Vitoria-Gasteiz 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz or Santander in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Vitoria-Gasteiz as well as Santander.

In July, Vitoria-Gasteiz is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Vitoria-Gasteiz average around 20°C (68°F), and Santander fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santander. In the summer, Vitoria-Gasteiz often gets less sunshine than Santander. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun.

Vitoria-Gasteiz usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Santander. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vitoria-Gasteiz 20°C (68°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Vitoria-Gasteiz or Santander in the Autumn?

Both Santander and Vitoria-Gasteiz are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Vitoria-Gasteiz is around the same temperature as Santander in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vitoria-Gasteiz averages around 16°C (62°F) in October, and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Vitoria-Gasteiz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santander during autumn. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. It's quite rainy in Vitoria-Gasteiz. In October, Vitoria-Gasteiz usually receives less rain than Santander. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vitoria-Gasteiz 16°C (62°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Vitoria-Gasteiz or Santander in the Winter?

Both Santander and Vitoria-Gasteiz during the winter are popular places to visit.

In the winter, Vitoria-Gasteiz is around the same temperature as Santander. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vitoria-Gasteiz in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Santander averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the winter, Vitoria-Gasteiz often gets less sunshine than Santander. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 91 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 Vitoria-Gasteiz. Vitoria-Gasteiz usually gets less rain in January than Santander. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vitoria-Gasteiz 9°C (48°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Vitoria-Gasteiz or Santander in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Vitoria-Gasteiz and Santander.

In April, Vitoria-Gasteiz is generally around the same temperature as Santander. Daily temperatures in Vitoria-Gasteiz average around 12°C (54°F), and Santander fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Vitoria-Gasteiz usually receives less sunshine than Santander during spring. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the spring. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Vitoria-Gasteiz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santander. Vitoria-Gasteiz gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vitoria-Gasteiz 12°C (54°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Vitoria-Gasteiz

Vitoria-Gasteiz Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 11°C (51°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 51 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 16°C (62°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 152 mm (6 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)