Which place is cheaper, Santillana or Luxor?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Luxor or Santillana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Luxor or Santillana? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Luxor or Santillana?
Luxor
Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.
The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.
Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain.
-
Luxor Prices
Egypt PricesSantillana Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuxor $33Santillana $149
The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $33, while the average daily cost in Santillana is $149. 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 Luxor and Santillana in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuxor $11Santillana $70
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuxor $22Santillana $140
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Santillana
Looking for a hotel in Luxor 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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Santillana Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luxor $5.64Santillana $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:
-
Taxi Ride$0.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- Luxor Airport Private transfer to your hotel or vice versa: $10
- Luxor Airport Transfer : $15
- Private Transfer From Luxor to Aswan: $55
- Private Transfers From Luxor to Hurghada: $70
- Sunrise Hot Air Balloons in Luxor (transfer including): $80
- Transfer From Luxor To Aswan: $60
- Transfer from Luxor Airport to Anywhere in Luxor: $15
- Transfer from Luxor to Hurghada (Private): $54
- Transfer from Luxor to Marsa Alam (Private): $75
- Transfers from Luxor Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise: $17
- private transfer one way from Luxor to Hurghada : $70
- "Pet-Friendly Private Transfer: Luxor Station to Hotel": $6.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Santillana?
Prices for flights to both Santillana and Luxor 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 dayLuxor $16Santillana $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.
- Tourist market,local food tour,the gym and coffee in Luxor: $19
- Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Lunch or Dinner: $21
- Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $31
- Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
- 2 Hour Cooking Session with Family in Luxor: $40
- Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
- Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca : $64
- Private Romantic Dinner with Fallucca Sail boat on the Nile Luxor: $70
- Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing in luxor: $78
- private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
- Cooking Class & Soulful Egyptian Farmer Experience in Luxor: $120
Typical Food Prices in Santillana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santillana:
-
Breakfast$8.21
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luxor $10Santillana $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor
Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Boat Ride (for 2)$0.57
-
Temple Karnak for Two$2.73
-
Camel Ride for Two$1.26
Tours and Activities in Luxor
Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full tour to Karnak and Luxor temples, and felucca: $5.00
- Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City : $6.00
- Historical Day Tour To Luxor And Mummification Museums: $8.00
- Day Tour To Habu Temple Valley Of Workers And Queens: $8.00
- Historic Corniche Walking Experience with Refreshment: $8.00
- Luxor Day Tour: Explore Dendara & Abydos Temples: $8.19
- Private Half-Day Tour: Exploring Luxor's East Bank: $8.50
- Half Day Tour: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple & Mamnon: $9.00
- Half Day Tour: Valley of the kings & Hatshepsut Temple and Memnon: $9.00
- Private Guided Tour of Karnak and Luxor Temples: $9.00
- Explore Luxor in amazing City Tour, Horse carriage : $9.00
- Karnak Sound and Light Display Tour in Luxor (Private): $9.00
Tours and Activities in Santillana
Here are a few actual costs in Santillana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Guided Walking Tour of Santillana del Mar: $215
- Private Walking Tour of Altamira and Neocave Museum: $239
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuxor $3.10Santillana $5.03
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Santillana, we can see that Santillana is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Luxor is in Africa and Santillana is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Santillana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santillana than you might in Luxor.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luxor Expensive? and Is Santillana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luxor or Santillana?
Luxor has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Santillana. When comparing the sizes of Luxor 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.
When is the best time to visit Luxor or Santillana?
Santillana has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luxor experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Luxor or Santillana in the Summer?
Both Santillana and Luxor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luxor throughout the year.
It's very hot in Luxor this time of the year. Luxor is much warmer than Santillana in the summer. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Santillana fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In July, Luxor usually receives less rain than Santillana. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyLuxor 33°C (91°F)Santillana 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Luxor or Santillana in the Autumn?
Both Santillana and Luxor during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Luxor is much warmer than Santillana. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luxor in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Santillana averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Santillana gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Luxor usually gets less rain in October than Santillana. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLuxor 25°C (77°F)Santillana 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Luxor or Santillana in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Luxor and Santillana. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round.
In January, Luxor is generally much warmer than Santillana. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 14°C (57°F), and Santillana fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Santillana receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Luxor usually receives less rain than Santillana. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLuxor 14°C (57°F)Santillana 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Luxor or Santillana in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Luxor as well as Santillana. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Luxor is much warmer than Santillana in the spring. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Santillana fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
It's quite rainy in Santillana. Luxor usually gets less rain in April than Santillana. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santillana receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilLuxor 25°C (77°F)Santillana 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Santillana and Luxor
| Luxor | Santillana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (86°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 0 mm (0 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.