Which place is cheaper, Budva or Santander?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Santander or Budva?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Santander and Budva can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Santander or Budva?
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.
Budva
A coastal resort in Montenegro, Budva is probably the country's most popular tourist destination. Not only does it host a number of great beaches, but it is also home to a picturesque old town center located on a small peninsula. Some of its best features include narrow winding lanes, historic buildings, churches, and small squares.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.
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Santander Prices
Spain PricesBudva Prices
Montenegro Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantander €138Budva €113
The average daily cost (per person) in Santander is €138, while the average daily cost in Budva is €113. 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 Santander and Budva in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantander €51Budva €37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantander €102Budva €74
Compare Hotels in Santander and Budva
Looking for a hotel in Santander or Budva? 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: Santander Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santander €24Budva €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:
- One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $48
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $290
- Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $290
- Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $39
- Santander Private Departure Transfer: $39
- Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Budva are as follows:
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Daily Car Rental€65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budva
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Budva:
- AIRPORT TRANSFER Montenegro Budva Tivat Podgorica Kotor Perast: $68
- Kotor to Budva one way transfer: $111
- Private Transfer from Bar to Tivat Airport (TIV): $168
- Private Transfer from Budva to Podgorica Airport and city: $46
- Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat Airport (TIV): $111
- Private Transfer from Petrovac to Tivat airport: $131
- Private transfer Tivat/Kotor/Budva-Podgorica: $149
- Tivat to Budva private one way transfer: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Budva?
Prices for flights to both Budva and Santander 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 daySantander €70Budva €53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santander €18Budva €22
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
Tours and Activities in Budva
Here are a few actual costs in Budva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Guided Lipa Cave Adventure in Montenegro: $19
- Tour Cetinje, Lovćen & Mausoleum: $24
- Kayak & Hike Experience on Sveti Nikola Island: $53
- 3-Hour Paddle Board or Kayak Tour to Coastal Caves: $53
- Night Lights Kayaking Tour: $53
- Budva Bay: Kayak & SUP Tour to Coastal Caves: $54
- 2-Hour «Night Lights» Kayak Tour: $54
- Small group kayaking tour from Budva to Sveti Nikola island caves: $60
- Boka Bay: Kotor, Cave, Herceg Novi, & Lady of the Rocks Tour: $69
- Full-Day Boka Bay Cruise Tour from Budva with Guide: $70
- Great tour of coastal monasteries in Budva - Walking on the path of history!: $72
- Budva Diving - Scuba Diving Experience: $74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantander €14Budva €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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santander and Budva, we can see that Santander is more expensive. And not only is Budva much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Budva would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budva 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 Santander would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santander than you might in Budva.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santander Expensive? and Is Budva Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santander or Budva?
Santander has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Budva, 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.
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.