Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Abu Dhabi?
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 Abu Dhabi or Santiago?
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 Abu Dhabi and Santiago can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Abu Dhabi or Santiago?
Abu Dhabi
It doesn't get more "lifestyles of the rich and famous" than a vacation to Abu Dhabi. The federal capital and center of government for the United Arab Emirates is arguably the most modern city in the world.
Abu Dhabi has a population of 1.5 million and provides a home to several oil companies and embassies, but this place is definitely a playground for the world's fanciest tourists. This city has several large projects underway including Yas Island's Formula 1 track and Ferrari theme park.
Note: homosexuality is still outlawed in the UAE with harsh punishments including deportation, fines, jail time or even a death sentence.
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to United Arab Emirates, The Best Tours for Seniors to United Arab Emirates, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Abu Dhabi Prices
UAE PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAbu Dhabi $197Santiago $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Abu Dhabi is $197, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $142. 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 Abu Dhabi and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAbu Dhabi $98Santiago $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAbu Dhabi $196Santiago $208
Compare Hotels in Abu Dhabi and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi or Santiago? 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: Abu Dhabi Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Abu Dhabi $20Santiago $5.12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Abu Dhabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Abu Dhabi are as follows:
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Car Rental$31
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Taxi to Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Abu Dhabi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Abu Dhabi:
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer (Within Abu Dhabi Only): $19
- Private One-way Abu Dhabi Transfer To Abu Dhabi Airport: $25
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Any Hotel in UAE: $27
- Abu Dhabi Airport Private Departure Transfer: $27
- Transfer Abu Dhabi City Center to Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH): $28
- Transfer: Abu Dhabi Airport(AUH) to Abu Dhabi City Center: $28
- Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi Ticket with Transfers Option: $33
- Arrival Transfer Abu Dhabi Airport AUH to Abu Dhabi by Car or SUV: $40
- Abu Dhabi Airport Transfers: $40
- Private Transfer Service from Abu Dhabi Airport to Dubai Hotels: $41
- Kidzania Abu Dhabi with Optional Private Transfer: $50
- Private One-way Abu Dhabi Airport Transfer To Abu Dhabi: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Santiago Airport (SCL) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $18
- Santiago de Chile Airport Shuttle Transfer: $25
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Santiago de Chile City - Santiago Airport (SCL): $26
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Santiago Hotel to SCL Airport: $34
- From Farellones Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- Transfer from or to the airport or hotel in Santiago de Chile: $35
- Transfer Santiago de Chile airport: $40
- Airport Private Transfer to/from Santiago de Chile: $40
- Private Transfer from Airport to Santiago, Chile : $41
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Abu Dhabi or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Abu Dhabi 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 dayAbu Dhabi $78Santiago $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Abu Dhabi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Abu Dhabi.
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari BBQ Dinner Live Shows Pick & Drop More: $25
- Dubai Marina Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment: $41
- Dubai Marina luxury Dhow Cruise Dinner (catamaran): $49
- Abu Dhabi Evening Desert Safari Tour with Shows & Buffet Dinner: $60
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari With Live Shows And BBQ Buffet Dinner: $60
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with Hot BBQ Dinner : $65
- Grand Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Festival with Dinner: $65
- Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (Dune Bashing, BBQ Dinner, Camel Ride & Sand Skii): $80
- Evening Desert Safari Abu Dhabi with BBQ Dinner & Shows: $81
- Abu Dhabi Desert safari with BBQ Dinner,Sandboarding & Camel ride: $90
- Desert Safari Adventure With Dinner In Dubai: $95
- Desert Safari with Sheikh Zayed Festival & Dinner: $95
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.78
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Hamburger$2.37
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Dinner$24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $73
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $130
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- Viña Concha y Toro Nocturno: Dinner Show: $137
- Dinner at a Typical Chilean Restaurant with a Traditional Dance Show in Santiago: $150
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $158
- Bali Hai Dinner Show in Santiago de Chile: $161
- Casillero del Diablo Night Tour with Dinner in Concha y Toro: $172
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Abu Dhabi $39Santiago $45
Tours and Activities in Abu Dhabi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Abu Dhabi are as follows:
- Qasr Al Hosn Entry Ticket: $8.17
- Qasr Al Hosn Skip the Line Tickets: $13
- Qasar Al Hosn Abu Dhabi Entry Tickets: $13
- Louvre Join an Express Guided Tour: $14
- Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace Abu Dhabi Ticket: $15
- Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Entry Ticket: $16
- Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $16
- Qasr al Hosn Entrance Ticket: $16
- Sea Breeze Boat Tour: $16
- Tickets to Qasr Al Watan & Louvre Museum Abu Dhabi: $17
- Qasr Al Watan Abu Dhabi Entry Ticket: $17
- Skip the Line Ticket to Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi : $17
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $10
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $10
- 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $10
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $10
- Santiago Center Walking Tour: $12
- Santiago de Chile: Tour with local guide expert in history and gastronomy: $15
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- Walking City Tour: $20
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $23
- Guided tour to some sights of the city: $24
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $24
- Gastronomic Experience Chilean Flavors: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAbu Dhabi $13Santiago $7.95
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Concha y Toro Full Master Edition: Wine Tasting Included: $56
- Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $65
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- From Santa Rita Vineyard Tour with Wine Tastings: $89
- half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
- Concha y Toro semi-private tour with 3 wine tastings: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $100
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $103
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Abu Dhabi and Santiago, we can see that Abu Dhabi is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Abu Dhabi is in Middle East and Santiago is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Santiago would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago 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 Abu Dhabi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Abu Dhabi than you might in Santiago.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Abu Dhabi Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Abu Dhabi or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Abu Dhabi. When comparing the sizes of Abu Dhabi and Santiago, 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 Abu Dhabi or Santiago?
Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Abu Dhabi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Abu Dhabi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Abu Dhabi throughout the year.
The heat can be very extreme in Abu Dhabi. In the summer, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Abu Dhabi in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
In July, Abu Dhabi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santiagoin January. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAbu Dhabi 35°C (95°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Abu Dhabi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Abu Dhabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Abu Dhabi is generally much warmer than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Abu Dhabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Abu Dhabi usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Santiagoin April. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilAbu Dhabi 29°C (84°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Abu Dhabi and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Abu Dhabi year-round.
Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Abu Dhabi averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.
In January, Abu Dhabi usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyAbu Dhabi 18°C (64°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Abu Dhabi or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Abu Dhabi as well as Santiago. Abu Dhabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Abu Dhabi is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Abu Dhabi in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.
Abu Dhabi usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Santiagoin October. Abu Dhabi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberAbu Dhabi 27°C (81°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Abu Dhabi
| Abu Dhabi | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.