How much does it cost to travel to Chile?
You should plan to spend around $38 (CL$37,324) per day on your vacation in Chile. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $8.83 (CL$8,628) on meals
- $5.48 (CL$5,352) on local transportation
- $42 (CL$41,346) on hotels
A one week trip to Chile for two people costs, on average, $535 (CL$522,536). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Chile expensive to visit?
Chile is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within South America, Chile is very expensive compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in South America for its travel costs. There are only a few countries as expensive or more expensive than Chile in the region.
For more details, see Is Chile Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Chile?
The average Chile trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Chile travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
CL$41,346
($42)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
CL$5,352
($5.48)
|
Food 2
|
CL$8,628
($8.83)
|
Entertainment 1
|
CL$9,997
($10)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
CL$610 -
1,831
($1 - 2)
|
Alcohol 2
|
CL$2,212 -
6,635
($2 - 7)
|
Accommodation Budget in Chile
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Chile is $21 (CL$20,673). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Chile is $42 (CL$41,346). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Chile? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in Chile
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Chile is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $5.48 (CL$5,352) per person, per day, on local transportation in Chile.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$5.48
CL$5,352
Typical prices for Local Transportation in Chile are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Chile, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Short Taxi Ride
CL$2,000
-
Metro Ride
CL$1,080
-
Taxi Ride
CL$3,000
Food Budget in Chile
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Chile can vary, the average cost of food in Chile is $8.83 (CL$8,628) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Chile should cost around $3.53 (CL$3,451) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Chile is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$8.83
CL$8,628
Typical prices for Food in Chile are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Chile, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Drink
CL$900
-
Donut
CL$1,000
-
Coke
CL$1,000
-
Empanada
CL$5,000
-
Lunch
CL$10,000
-
Dinner
CL$10,500
-
Dinner
CL$17,200
-
Dinner
CL$24,210
Entertainment Budget in Chile
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Chile typically cost an average of $10 (CL$9,997) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$10
CL$9,997
Typical prices for Entertainment in Chile are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Chile, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Sand Boarding
CL$53,179
-
Bike Rental
CL$8,000
-
Boat Tour
CL$4,000
Tips and Handouts Budget in Chile
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Chile is $1.25 (CL$1,221) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Chile is 5% - 15%.
-
Tips and Handouts1
For guides or service providers
$1.25
CL$1,221
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Alcohol Budget in Chile
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $4.53 (CL$4,423) on alcoholic beverages in Chile per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$4.53
CL$4,423
Typical prices for Alcohol in Chile are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Alcohol prices in Chile, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Alcohol
CL$7,000
-
Alcohol
CL$12,000
-
Alcohol
CL$23,500
-
Beer
CL$950
-
Beer
CL$2,100
Water Budget in Chile
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.58 (CL$568) on bottled water in Chile per day. The public water in Chile is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.58
CL$568
Last Updated: Mar 13, 2024
Chile On a Budget
Patagonia
Chile is a narrow country in South America that is situated between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The unusual long and narrow shape of the country means that it has over 3000 miles of coastline. It also covers a great variety of landscapes and offers a diversity of geography types. During a trip to Chile you can see everything from the isolated moonscapes and pink flamingo-filled lagoons in the northern deserts to the green vineyards of the Central Valley. Explore the rainforests in the Lake District or be mesmerized by the glaciers and dramatic peaks in Patagonia. Set far out in the Pacific Ocean, Chile also claims Easter Island, which has a mysterious history and civilization.
Because of its long and narrow nature, navigation can be a little challenging. If you're short on time, but not money, consider taking a few flights to ensure that you see everything you intended during your trip. Buses are a good alternative for those people who are traveling on a slightly tighter budget. Do make sure you buy tickets for a direct bus as local buses can make frequent stops.
Chile also includes the territory that is Easter Island, although this extremely isolated island is actually halfway across the Pacific Ocean between South America and Tahiti. It is possible to catch a flight from Santiago to Easter Island, although you can expect to pay dearly for it.
Restaurant options are diverse and plentiful in Chile. The cheapest options are often the sandwich shops you'll find in most towns, but if you're looking for something different, there are sit down restaurants that offer everything from Chilean specialties to western food. Most nicer restaurants also have wine available and the locally produced variety is highly recommended. Desserts are also popular in Chile and most restaurants will have several options available to you. These include anything from sopaipillas to fruit or strudel.
Most hotels and public buildings have wifi available. If you're looking for free internet, the library may be your best option. Most medium sized cities have libraries and it's easy to walk in and use a computer with no extra charge. Simply ask a local to point you the way to the library.
Your hotel options in Chile are quite diverse. You'll find everything from popular western chains such as the Sheraton to hostels and lodges that accommodate budget travelers. Whatever your travel style, the quality of hotels in this country is quite high and you can expect yourself to be very comfortable at a reasonable price.
At A Glance
- If you're traveling from another country in South America, you'll find plenty of good bus connections to Chile. Coming from Argentina, you can take a bus from Mendoza, Bariloche and San Martin de los Andes, as well as the once weekly buses from Buenos Aires. Coming from Peru, you can take a bus from Arequipa, and from Bolivia there are a handful of options. From Brazil you can take a twice weekly bus from Sao Paulo.
- The best way to get Chilean pesos is through an ATM. The exchange rates in hotels and the airport are incredibly high, but you will typically get a decent rate at some of the exchange centers around town. Never exchange money on the street, particularly if there is someone trying to "help" you. Always go into a bank if you have a concern.
- Seafood on the coast is quite delicious and not to be missed. Although there are some excellent options, it is best to avoid the raw shellfish. This is a favorite among locals, but the frequent red tides often leave the shellfish contaminated and questionable. It's a risk that is not worth taking.
- Chile is known for its wine. It's a great area to go wine tasting, and there are wonderful vineyards in many parts of the country. If you're interested in wine at all, then this is an activity you would enjoy.
- Sandwiches are a cheap meal in most cities. If you're looking for a fast and affordable lunch, head to any of the sandwich shops you'll find in almost any town. They're usually pretty good and low in cost. They usually have a good number of options. There is often at least one vegetarian choice, particularly in the central part of the country where vegetables are grown in abundance. If there is no vegetarian selection, you can typically request one anyway.
Related:
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party hostel in Rio,
Sao Paulo,
Lima, or
Buenos Aires?
Traveling alone through
Argentina?
Top Tourist Attractions
Easter Island: This is a remote island in the Pacific Ocean that is most known for its enigmatic giant stone busts which were built centuries ago. It's a challenging, but rewarding place to visit, it large part because of its remote location and the mystery that surrounds it.
Parque Nacional Torres del Paine: This is an impressive area in Chile that has granite peaks, glaciers, emerald-green lakes, rushing rivers and stunning scenery. It is one of the country's most popular destinations and has some of the area's most stunning landscapes.
Cerro Concepcion: This lovely neighborhood in Valparaiso is famous for its bright colors and lovely atmosphere. It's an enjoyable to walk around or grab a bite to eat.
Popular Foods
Chilean food is quite diverse. The main staples are potatoes, rice, meat and bread. You'll also find plenty of vegetable options in the middle part of the country. Seafood is abundant on the coastline and you can enjoy many local specialties such as salmon, scallops, or sea bass.
Pastel de choclo: This is a traditional corn casserole that is made from ground beef, onions, chicken, raisins, a hardboiled egg, and olives. It is usually finished of with sugar and butter.
Lomo a lo pobre: This traditional dish is made from beef steak that is topped with egg and served with fried potatoes and fried onions. It's typically found at the nicer restaurants in Chile.
Porotos granados: Porotos granados is a hearty stew dish that is made from fresh beans, squash, corn, onion and basil. It sometimes includes pumpkin or cranberries and the origins of the dish can be dated back to historic times.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.