Which place is cheaper, Santiago de Compostela or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Santiago de Compostela. 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.
Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.
Santiago de Compostela is a historic, religious, and inspirational city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Santiago de Compostela than Zurich. While Zurich is larger than Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Santiago de Compostela is better known for its museums and hiking, while Zurich is more popular for its music, shopping, and impressive beauty. Santiago de Compostela is more touristy than Zurich and is known for its classic old town, its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture, and its significance as the culmination point for the Camino de Santiago. Also, Santiago de Compostela is famous for the Cathedral of Santiago. Zurich is well known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santiago de Compostela and Zurich. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Santiago de Compostela are among the most recognizable in the world. The iconic Cathedral of Santiago has long attracted pilgrims and travelers from around Europe and the world. The spectacular sight includes a museum and the crypt and tomb of Saint James. Another interesting sight in town is the former hostel for pilgrims, the Hostal de los Reyes Católicos. Also make sure you visit Plaza del Obradoiro and the Galician Center of Contemporary Art.
Zurich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.
Both Zurich and Santiago de Compostela offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.
Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.
Santiago de Compostela has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Galician food has plenty of fresh seafood, lots of local beef, and regional vegetables that are seasonal and locally grown. Make sure you try the polbo á feira (boiled octopus), pimientos de padrón (fried green peppers), and steamed mussels.
Both Zurich and Santiago de Compostela are superb when it comes to partying.
Zurich offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.
Santiago de Compostela has a large number of nightlife venues. As a university city, much of the nightlife is created by the student population. You'll find a lot of bars around Rúa de Santiago de Chile and Rúa de San Pedro de Mezonzo as well as along Rúa do Franco.
Zurich is well known for its live music scene. However, Santiago de Compostela is not a live music destination.
Music is a popular form of entertainment in Zurich. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.
Santiago de Compostela is not a live music destination.
Visitors enjoy the amazing old town areas in both Zurich and Santiago de Compostela.
The rich history of Zurich can be explored in its historical center. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.
Santiago de Compostela has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The old town reflects the city's importance in the Christian religion. There are Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings that draw Christian pilgrims from around the world.
Santiago de Compostela is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich is not a hiking destination.
Santiago de Compostela is well-known for its hiking and trekking. This small city is the culmination point for the famed Camino de Santiago. The 780 kilometer route is followed by pilgrims and travelers who seek enlightenment or adventure. Hikers travel both independently or as part of organized tours.
Zurich is not a hiking destination.
Zurich is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.
The abundance of shops in Zurich make it a world-class shopping destination. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Santiago de Compostela. There are local markets, souvenir shops, and boutiques where you can buy items to commemorate the completion of your hike or your visit to town.
Zurich is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Zurich is a very kid-friendly city. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.
Santiago de Compostela offers lots of family activities. The city has a sightseeing train as well as parks and playgrounds that kids can enjoy. A visit to the Museum of the Galician People is also fascinating for the whole family. Visiting the colorful markets around town is fun as well.
Zurich is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.
Couples visit Zurich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.
Santiago de Compostela is a good city for couples to visit. The cobblestone streets and beautiful gardens make this a nice place for a couple's getaway. There are viewpoints that look out over the town as well as interesting buildings and great architecture.
Santiago de Compostela is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Santiago de Compostela is a great city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers hiking the Camino del Santiago will be rewarded with a beautiful city and many nice sights. There are plenty of hostels around town where backpackers can meet other travelers and swap stories.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.
Zurich is terrific for students. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Many students frequent Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.
It's common for students to visit Santiago de Compostela. It's a small city with many students during the week, but on weekends it quiets down as many students leave town.
Zurich is well known for its public transit. Also, Santiago de Compostela is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.
Zurich has some very good public transit options. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.
While Santiago de Compostela offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town that are operated by Tralusa.
Zurich and Santiago de Compostela both are superb when exploring on foot.
Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.
Santiago de Compostela is a very walkable destination. Many visitors reach the city on foot by doing the pilgrimage of the Camino del Santiago. The city itself and small and fairly walkable as well.
For even more information, also check out Is Zurich Worth Visiting? and Is Santiago de Compostela Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Zurich or Santiago de Compostela to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Zurich than Santiago de Compostela because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Zurich, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santiago de Compostela.
Families should spend more time in Zurich than Santiago de Compostela. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Zurich, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Zurich than Santiago de Compostela. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zurich that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santiago de Compostela than Zurich if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Santiago de Compostela.
The city of Zurich offers shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santiago de Compostela. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
The historic destination of Zurich offers museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend a weekend here. Visiting the old town is also a must. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Santiago de Compostela is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zurich. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santiago de Compostela. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Zurich is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Zurich. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the inspirational destination of Santiago de Compostela. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $273, while the average daily cost in Santiago de Compostela is $99. 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 Zurich and Santiago de Compostela in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Santiago de Compostela? 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:
Prices for flights to both Santiago de Compostela and Zurich 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:
Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Santiago de Compostela, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Santiago de Compostela much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santiago de Compostela would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago de Compostela 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Santiago de Compostela.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Santiago de Compostela Expensive?.
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Santiago de Compostela, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Santiago de Compostela. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Zurich is a little warmer than Santiago de Compostela in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santiago de Compostela this time of the year. In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santiago de Compostela during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 248 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zurich usually receives more rain than Santiago de Compostela. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Santiago de Compostela. Many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Santiago de Compostela in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Zurich is cooler than Santiago de Compostela. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Santiago de Compostela averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 155 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than Santiago de Compostela. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Santiago de Compostela and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Zurich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Zurich is generally much colder than Santiago de Compostela. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Santiago de Compostela receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santiago de Compostela. In January, Zurich usually receives less rain than Santiago de Compostela. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Santiago de Compostela and Zurich during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the natural beauty.
Zurich is around the same temperature as Santiago de Compostela in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Santiago de Compostela fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Santiago de Compostela. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santiago de Compostela receives 167 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Santiago de Compostela. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago de Compostela receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Zurich | Santiago de Compostela | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |