A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rouen vs. Santander for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rouen or Santander?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Santander? 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: Rouen or Santander?

Rouen

Rouen is a city on the River Seine in the north of France. It is the capital of the region of Normandy. It was formerly one of the largest and most prosperous cities of Medieval Europe. The city has had a turbulent history. It was devastated by fire and plague several times during the Middle Ages, and was occupied by the English during the Hundred Years War. The young French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. And during WWII, Allied bombing raids laid waste to large parts of the city, especially south of the cathedral.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Santander or Rouen?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Rouen Prices
    France Prices
    Santander Prices
    Spain Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Rouen 135
    Santander 138

The average daily cost (per person) in Rouen is €135, while the average daily cost in Santander is €138. 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 Rouen and Santander in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rouen 52
    Santander 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rouen 104
    Santander 102
Compare Hotels in Rouen and Santander

Looking for a hotel in Rouen 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 Rouen


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: Rouen Hotel Prices and Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rouen 34
    Santander 24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $39
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $39
  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $48
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $67
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $290
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $290

Is it cheaper to fly into Rouen or Santander?

Prices for flights to both Santander and Rouen 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
    Rouen 61
    Santander 70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rouen 18
    Santander 18

Tours and Activities in Rouen

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rouen are as follows:

  • Rouen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.77
  • Rouen audio guided tour: $11
  • Audio Guided City or Joan of Arc Tour: $18
  • Audio Guided City and Joan of Arc Tour: $18
  • Rouen : Museum Immersive Viking Experience: $19
  • Rouen : Must-see Private Walking Tour: $22
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center: $28
  • Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Rouen: $29
  • The Official 1-Hour English tour of the must-sees of Rouen: $30
  • Treetop adventure course in the heart of Rouen: $31
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $53
  • Official English 2hrs Guided Tour of the Must-Sees of Rouen: $53

Tours and Activities in Santander

Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Santander Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $5.77
  • Guided tour of Santander Cathedral: $14
  • The El Centro Botin Skip the Line Entry Ticket: $15
  • 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $17
  • Guided tour in English of the center of Santander: $20
  • El Sardinero Stadium Guided Tour: $21
  • Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $30
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Train: $31
  • City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
  • Guided kayak tour of Santander Bay with a tour guide.: $41
  • Guided Tour by Electric Bike: $65
  • Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum with tickets- small groups: $72

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rouen 7.86
    Santander 14

Sample the Local Flavors in Santander

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santander:

  • Wine Tourism and Cheese in Cantabria: $209


When comparing the travel costs between Rouen 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 Rouen Expensive? and Is Santander Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rouen or Santander?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or Santander in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Santander. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year.

In the summer, Rouen is cooler than Santander. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°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 Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rouen usually receives more sunshine than Santander during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Santander receives 213 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Santander. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santander receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rouen 17°C (63°F) 
    Santander 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Rouen or Santander in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Santander. Many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Rouen is generally cooler than Santander. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Santander fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Rouen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santander. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santander receives 133 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santander. Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Santander. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santander receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rouen 12°C (53°F) 
    Santander 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Rouen or Santander in the Winter?

Both Santander and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rouen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can get quite cold in the winter. Rouen is much colder than Santander in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Santander fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Santander during winter. Rouen gets 62 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. In January, Rouen usually receives less rain than Santander. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santander receives 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rouen 4°C (39°F) 
    Santander 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Rouen or Santander in the Spring?

Both Santander and Rouen during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Rouen is cooler than Santander. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Santander averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Rouen often gets more sunshine than Santander. Rouen gets 172 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. Rouen usually gets less rain in April than Santander. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santander receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rouen 9°C (48°F) 
    Santander 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Santander and Rouen

Rouen Santander
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 4°C (40°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Dec 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in)


Related Articles for Rouen