Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bangkok or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Santiago can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Bangkok or Santiago?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $76Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $76, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Bangkok and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $41Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $82Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $5.77Santiago $5.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.18
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Skytrain Ticket$4.36
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.87
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Ferry Ride$0.71
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Taxi From Airport$6.82
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Short Taxi Ride$2.45
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Boat Taxi$1.36
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Trains to airport$4.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Suvarnabhumi Airport Bus transfer to/from Bangkok: $4.05
- Bus transfer from/to Suvarnabhumi Airport: $4.98
- Airport Transfer to Hotel including WIFI: $10
- Airport BKK||DMK : Private car Transfer to downtowns Bangkok: $12
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok HTL- APT(BKK): $14
- Bangkok International Airport - Departure Transfer: $15
- Private Bangkok Don Mueang Airport Transfer To City Hotels Or Hotels To Airport: $15
- Private Bangkok Airport Transfer: $17
- Bangkok International Airport - Arrival Transfer: $17
- Departure Private Transfer Bangkok City to Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK by Sedan: $17
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City by Sedan Car: $17
- Arrival Private Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK to Bangkok City Business MPV: $19
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$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car: $67
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $84
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $70
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $55
- Private Santiago Hotel or Airport Arrival Transfer to Viña del Mar or Valparaiso: $95
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $18Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$25
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.46
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.23
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.82
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.46
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Pad Thai$1.91
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Airport Lunch for 2$15
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Lunch for 2$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $16
- White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $19
- Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $20
- Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $21
- River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $23
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $27
- Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $27
- Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $27
- Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruise On Chao Phraya: $27
- Nopparat Thai Dinner with Classical Dance: $28
- Bangkok Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruised Tour On Chao Phraya: $28
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $92
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $16Santiago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.36
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$9.55
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.36
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.46
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Club Cover Charge$10
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$65
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Fish Pedicure$4.09
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.73
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Siriraj Museum (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Thailand's Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.99
- Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.20
- Bangkok's Wireless Road: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Chinatown and Wat Traimit Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.00
- Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.36
- Pororo Aqua Park Entry Ticket: $9.50
- Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour : $9.76
- Wat Pho Reclining Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl.): $10
- Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $10
- Wat Arun Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $10
- Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $10
- Chinatown & Golden Buddha Self-Guided Audio Tour (entry not incl): $10
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- La Paz from the Heights: Down hill Walking tour & Cable Cars: $12
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- Walking tour through Santiago: $26
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
- History Walking Tour in Chile: $29
- Half Day tradicional city Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $5.97Santiago $8.41
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Pub Crawl and Club Night With Shots & VIP Entrance: $22
- 6-Hour Pub Crawl in Bangkok: $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
- half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bangkok is in Asia 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 Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago than you might in Bangkok.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Santiago?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok 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 Bangkok or Santiago?
Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bangkok experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bangkok or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round.
In the summer, Bangkok is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bangkok in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
Bangkok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Bangkok usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 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 JanuaryBangkok 29°C (84°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as Santiago. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Bangkok is generally much warmer than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 28°C (83°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Bangkok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bangkok usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. May to October in Bangkok is the rainy season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBangkok 28°C (83°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Bangkok are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year.
Bangkok is much warmer than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.
In January, Bangkok usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Bangkok is November to February.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBangkok 27°C (80°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Bangkok or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Bangkok during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Bangkok is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bangkok in April average around 31°C (87°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.
Bangkok usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBangkok 31°C (87°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Bangkok
| Bangkok | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (87°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (86°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°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.