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

Should you visit Santander or Siena?

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 Siena can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santander or Siena?

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.

Siena

Located in Tuscany, Siena is a medieval city that is about 70 kilometers south of Florence. One of its most famous events is the horse race, Il Palio, which occurs twice a year during the summer. The race puts a lot of emphasis on neighborhood pride and competition. It is a local tradition that is of great importance to the residence, so it is not an event that is held specifically for tourists. It dates back to the Medieval times and is associated with the area's religion, pageantry and rivalry. In addition to the city's strong neighborhood pride, rich history, and impressive architecture, Siena was also the home of many famous artists including Duccio, Simone Martini, and Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Siena or Santander?

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

  • Santander Prices
    Spain Prices
    Siena Prices
    Italy Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santander 138
    Siena 170

The average daily cost (per person) in Santander is €138, while the average daily cost in Siena is €170. 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 Siena in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Santander or Siena? 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 Santander


Hotels in Siena


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 Siena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santander 24
    Siena 20

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siena

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siena:

  • Arrival transfer Siena Airport SAY to Siena City by Van or Sedan: $174
  • PRIVATE TRANSFER from Siena to Florence with stop in S Gimignano & Monteriggioni: $179
  • Private transfer from Siena to Florence: $221
  • Transfer Siena - Pisa with stop in San Gimignano & Lunch: $275

Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Siena?

Prices for flights to both Siena 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santander 70
    Siena 88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siena

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siena.

  • Pasta and Tiramisu Small Group Cooking Class with Wine: $82
  • Small-group Cooking Class in a Chianti Farm: $95
  • Siena : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $100
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Grosseto with Show Cooking: $102
  • Tuscan, Italian, tiramisu cooking class and tasting 3 wines: $106
  • Small-group Street food tour in Siena: $106
  • Siena’s Ultimate Food Tour: Full Tuscan Meal by Do Eat Better: $109
  • Cooking Class: Italian Authentic Recipes with Lunch: $131
  • Small Group Cooking Class in Chianti Farmhouse: $136
  • From Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class: $136
  • Family Cooking Class: Pizza and Tiramisù from Siena: $136
  • Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class: $137

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santander 18
    Siena 3.75

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 Siena

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

  • Siena Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Siena Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $10
  • Skip-the-Line Siena Cathedral Duomo Complex Entrance Ticket: $23
  • Italian Opera in Siena Experience: $35
  • Skip the Line: Siena Duomo and City Walking Tour: $48
  • Siena Guided Tour with Duomo and Palazzo delle Papesse : $48
  • Siena Top 10 Pula Tour: $74
  • PolaTour The 17 Fountains of the Contradas of Siena: $74
  • Montalcino: Cellar Tour, Brunello Tasting and Appetisers: $82
  • Horseback Tour on the Via Francigena: $83
  • EVO oil experience with walk, tasting and lunch: $83
  • Tuscan Chianti Hills Horseback Riding Tour: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santander 14
    Siena 2.19

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Siena

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Siena:

  • "CLASSIC" Wine Tasting and Typical Tuscan Products: $33
  • Montalcino: Brunello Wine Tasting Experience: $39
  • Exclusive Wine Tasting in the Historic Center of Siena: $42
  • Winery tour and wine tasting in Maremma - Grosseto: $48
  • Tour and Wine Tasting in a Tuscan Private Castle: $51
  • Brunello di Montalcino Wine Tasting with Tuscan appetizer in ancient residence: $53
  • Chianti Half Day Wine Tasting Tour from Siena: $59
  • Tuscany Hiking Tour from Siena Including Wine Tasting: $66
  • Siena wine tasting & Gelato tasting: $66
  • Montalcino: Brunello Wine Tasting & Lunch in a Tuscan Castle: $70
  • Guided tour of the cellars with wine tasting and lunch: $72
  • Guided Tour of the Cellars with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $72


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santander and Siena, we can see that Siena 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 Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena 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 Santander Expensive? and Is Siena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santander or Siena?

Santander has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Santander and Siena, 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 Santander or Siena?

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 Santander or Siena in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Santander is cooler than Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santander in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Siena this time of the year. In Santander, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santander usually receives less sunshine than Siena during summer. Santander gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Santander usually receives more rain than Siena. Santander gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santander 19°C (66°F) 
    Siena 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Santander or Siena in the Autumn?

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

In October, Santander is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Santander average around 16°C (60°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Santander often gets less sunshine than Siena. Santander gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Santander receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santander usually gets more rain in October than Siena. Santander gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Santander 16°C (60°F) 
    Siena 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Santander or Siena in the Winter?

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

Santander is a little warmer than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Santander averages around 9°C (49°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Santander usually receives less sunshine than Siena during winter. Santander gets 91 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Santander. In January, Santander usually receives more rain than Siena. Santander gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santander 9°C (49°F) 
    Siena 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Santander or Siena in the Spring?

Both Siena and Santander during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Siena for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Santander is around the same temperature as Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santander in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Santander often gets less sunshine than Siena. Santander gets 148 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Santander. Santander usually gets more rain in April than Siena. Santander gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santander 12°C (53°F) 
    Siena 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Siena and Santander

Santander Siena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (49°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Mar 10°C (51°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 9°C (48°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 88 mm (3.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Nov 12°C (53°F) 181 mm (7.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 157 mm (6.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)