A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Amsterdam vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Amsterdam or Santiago?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Santiago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Amsterdam or Santiago?

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the capital and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that cross and weave around the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The historical architecture, scenic bridges, and energetic cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.

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 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Amsterdam?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €211, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €138. 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 Amsterdam and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Amsterdam 102
    Santiago 101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Amsterdam 204
    Santiago 202
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam 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.

Hotels in Amsterdam


Hotels in Santiago


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: Amsterdam Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Amsterdam 20
    Santiago 4.98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:


  • Ride on Tram
    3.20
  • Renting a Bike
    15
  • One Hour Canal Cruise
    10
  • Single Day Transit Pass
    2.60
  • Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport
    3.40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:

  • 1-Way Train Transfer to/from Haarlem: $7.37
  • Train Transfer Amsterdam from/to Leiden: $16
  • Madurodam: Train + tram transferring to/from Amsterdam: $22
  • Train Transfer Schiphol Airport from/to Eindhoven: $33
  • Private Transfer: Hotel in Amsterdam to Amsterdam Cruise Port: $40
  • Transfer: Amsterdam City Center to Airport Schiphol (AMS): $40
  • Amsterdam Airport Arrival Transfer (Airport to Amsterdam Hotel or Address): $40
  • Private Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Transfer Service: $41
  • Private Amsterdam Local Transfer to/from any Location: $48
  • Private departure transfer from Amsterdam to Schiphol Airport (AMS): $67
  • Private Transfer from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to City Hotel: $70
  • Private Transfer in or to Amsterdam: $71

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    1.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $105
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $105
  • Casas del Bosque Winery + RE Wineries : Exclusive Tour + Transfer: $220
  • City Tour Santiago with Exclusive Guide + Private Transfer: $270
  • City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $85
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $105
  • From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
  • Private 15-Passenger Premium Transfer – Santiago to Valparaíso: $149
  • Private Airport Transfer Santiago Arrival or Departure 4pax SUV: $65
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Amsterdam 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
    Amsterdam 80
    Santiago 21
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:


  • Afternoon Tea
    6.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam

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

  • Romantic Dinner in the Dark Amsterdam: $50
  • Self Guided Food Tour in De Pijp District of Amsterdam: $59
  • Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket & VIP Dinner at Hard Rock Café: $60
  • Taste Your Way Around Amsterdam Food Tour: $60
  • 3-course dinner party at a secret pop-up restaurant: $71
  • Amsterdam : Guided Cultural Food Tour: $83
  • Amsterdam Food Tour: +10 Tastes, Culture and Canals with Sherpa: $88
  • Top 10 Tastes of Guided Walking Food Tour: $91
  • 10 Tastes of Food Tour by UNESCO Canals and Jordaan: $105
  • Jordaan Food Tour: Special 10 Year Anniversary Edition: $107
  • Private Dutch Pancake Cooking Class in an Amsterdam Canal Home: $109
  • Private Amsterdam Red Light District and Food Tour (TOP RATED): $120

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    1.74
  • Hamburger
    2.30
  • 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: $58
  • Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
  • 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
  • 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
  • Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
  • Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $128
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Amsterdam 36
    Santiago 44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam

Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum
    6.00
  • Entry for two to the Anne Frank House
    17

Tours and Activities in Amsterdam

Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self-Guided Tours Amsterdam With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.53
  • Alternative Tour Amsterdam | Drugs Story, Street Art & More: $3.53
  • Amsterdam All In One Tour Walking Tour: $3.54
  • Amsterdam Highlights Walking Tour: $4.72
  • Bill's Bike Tour - Rent a Flower Bike in Amsterdam: $5.00
  • Self Guided Space Tourist Exploration of Amsterdam's Cosmic Side: $5.00
  • Amsterdam West Specialty Coffee Spots: A Self-Guided Cycling Tour: $5.41
  • A tasty stroll through Pijp: A self-guided audio tour: $5.75
  • Amsterdam History Walking Tour: $5.90
  • Private Tour of Simonehoeve Cheese Farm and Clog Factory: $5.90
  • Amsterdam’s Magic Canals: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure: $6.00
  • Amsterdam Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
  • Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • Guided Tour of Santiago de Chile History and Culture: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
  • Santiago Half Day Culture Walking Tour: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Amsterdam 24
    Santiago 7.73

Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam

Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $28
  • Amsterdam Craft Beer Brewery Tour by Bus with Tastings: $77
  • Halloween Bar Crawl in Central Amsterdam: $100
  • Private Amsterdam Red Light District and Pub Tour including drink: $103
  • Dutch Wine Tasting Experience: $140

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $27
  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $59
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Amsterdam and Santiago, we can see that Amsterdam is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amsterdam is in Europe 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 Amsterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam 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 Amsterdam or Santiago?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Santiago is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Amsterdam has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Amsterdam or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Santiago. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Amsterdam is cooler than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

In July, Amsterdam usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Amsterdam 17°C (62°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Santiago. Many visitors come to Amsterdam in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Amsterdam is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Amsterdam in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Amsterdam 11°C (51°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Amsterdam can be very cold during winter. In January, Amsterdam is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 2°C (36°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Amsterdam 2°C (36°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Amsterdam or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Amsterdam during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Amsterdam is much colder than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

Amsterdam usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Amsterdam 8°C (46°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Amsterdam

Amsterdam Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 8°C (46°F) 52 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 6°C (43°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 3°C (38°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)