Which place is cheaper, Budva or Santiago de Compostela?
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 Santiago de Compostela or Budva?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Budva? 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: Santiago de Compostela or Budva?
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Montenegro, and The Best Adventure Tours to Montenegro.
-
Santiago de Compostela Prices
Spain PricesBudva Prices
Montenegro Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago de Compostela €105Budva €113
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago de Compostela is €105, 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 Santiago de Compostela and Budva in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago de Compostela €37Budva €37
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago de Compostela €74Budva €74
Compare Hotels in Santiago de Compostela and Budva
Looking for a hotel in Santiago de Compostela 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: Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices and Budva Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago de Compostela €38Budva €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago de Compostela
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport (SCQ) to La Coruna Port: $157
- Private Transfer from Santiago city hotels to La Coruna Port : $157
- Private Transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Porto with Tour: $209
- Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budva
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Budva are as follows:
-
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 Santiago de Compostela or Budva?
Prices for flights to both Budva and Santiago de Compostela 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 daySantiago de Compostela €34Budva €53
Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:
-
Raspberries€3.50
-
Ice Cream€2.00
-
Cookie€1.00
-
Kebab€7.25
-
Dinner & Tapas (for 2)€28
-
Tuna Empanada€3.50
-
Fruit Shake€3.50
-
Crepe€4.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago de Compostela
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago de Compostela.
- Santiago Food Tour Tapas Drinks and Delights with a Local: $106
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago de Compostela €39Budva €22
Tours and Activities in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few actual costs in Santiago de Compostela for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Stroll Through History in Santiago: Quest Experience: $7.16
- Secrets of Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Santiago de Compostela Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $10
- Land of Legends and Meigas Tour: $14
- Guided Tour of the Old Town with an Official Guide: $14
- Queimada Experience Show and Tasting at Santiago de Compostela: $18
- Santiago de Compostela Hidden City Walking Tour: $18
- Guided tour of Bodegas Granbazán: $22
- Guided Tour Cathedral tickets included with Optional Portico: $24
- Guided Tour Santiago Cathedral, Museum and Old City: $31
- Santiago de Compostela Historic Walking Tour in Small Group: $32
- Tour to Fisterra - Muxía Express! (from Santiago de Compostela): $43
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago de Compostela €23Budva €14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:
-
1 Pint Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela
Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $35
When comparing the travel costs between Santiago de Compostela and Budva, we can see that Budva 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 Santiago de Compostela Expensive? and Is Budva Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Budva?
Santiago de Compostela has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Budva. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela 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.