Should you visit Bangkok or Santiago?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Bangkok and Santiago can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Santiago or Bangkok?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $65, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $145. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Bangkok and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Bangkok is $70. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $226 for a double occupancy room in Santiago.
Food
The average traveler spends about $16 per day in Bangkok for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
While meal prices in Santiago can vary, the average travelers spends about $13 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Santiago should cost around $5.20 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Santiago is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Bangkok $16
Santiago $13
Typical Food prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
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Silom Village Authentic Thai Dinner and Performance Ticket:
$17
-
Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet:
$23
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Luxurious Afternoon Tea or Dinner at the Erawan Tea Rooms:
$26
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Skip the Line: Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner:
$26
-
Bangkok Thai Classical Dance with Thai Set Dinner Ticket:
$27
-
Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show Tour With Optional Dinner.:
$31
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Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show With Optional Dinner & Transfers:
$31
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2-Hour Dinner & Shows on White Orchid River Cruise:
$32
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Skip the Line:Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show Ticket w/(optional) Dinner &Transfers:
$32
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Bangkok Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River:
$34
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Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River in Bangkok (Optional Transfers):
$34
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Bangkok White Orchid Dinner Cruise:
$34
Typical Food prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada
$2.40
-
Hamburger
$3.19
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Dinner
$33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
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Dinner at a Typical Chilean Restaurant with a Traditional Dance Show in Santiago:
$73
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A Bite of Santiago Food Tour:
$77
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Chilean Dinner and Show Experience in Santiago:
$77
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ChileCooks - Food Tours:
$91
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Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago:
$96
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Bali Hai Dinner & Show Including Transport:
$97
-
San Cristobal Hill Night City Tour with Dinner Show:
$106
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Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago:
$107
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Chilean Folklore Show and Dinner with Private Transport:
$110
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Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show:
$116
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Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show:
$116
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Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home:
$117
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Bangkok is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $4.42 per person, per day, on local transportation in Bangkok.
The average price of local transportation around Santiago is $5.52 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
-
Boat Transfer to Koh Samui from Bangkok & Southern Thailand:
$9.87
-
Bangkok Airport Departure – Shared Transfer:
$12
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Bangkok Airport Private Transfer (Suvarnabhumi Airport):
$13
-
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport Departure Transfer (Shared or Pvt):
$13
-
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport Arrival Transfer (Shared or Private):
$13
-
Airport Transfer from Trang Airport to Hotels:
$13
-
Bangkok To Pattaya Transfer Service:
$14
-
Bangkok Airport Arrival – Shared Transfer:
$15
-
Bangkok Airport Private Transfer (Don Mueang Int'l Airport):
$15
-
Private Airport Transfer: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Bangkok:
$16
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Private Airport Transfer: from Bangkok to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK):
$16
-
Boat Transfer to Koh Tao from Bangkok and Southern Thailand:
$16
Typical Local Transportation prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
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Airport Transfer:
$200
-
Arrival Private Transfer Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago in an Executive SUV:
$46
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Arrival Private Transfer Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago in an Luxury Van:
$71
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Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car:
$73
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Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van:
$96
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Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago:
$161
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Premium Ski resort transfer:
$250
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Private Airport Transfer: from Santiago de Chile to Santiago Int. Airport (SCL):
$28
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Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago:
$27
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Private Arrival Transfer from Santiago de Chile Airport to Santiago City:
$28
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Private Departure Transfer from Santiago City to Santiago de Chile Airport:
$28
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Private Round Trip Transfer Santiago City to Santiago de Chile Airport:
$55
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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Bangkok typically cost an average of $12 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Santiago's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $48 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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
$4.92
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket
$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket
$1.54
-
Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)
$6.15
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Club Cover Charge
$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)
$74
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Fish Pedicure
$4.61
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Wat Pho entrance ticket
$3.08
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Siriraj Museum (2)
$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Old Bangkok Instagram Tour:
$4.70
-
Road to Democracy Audio Tour: Discover Thailand's volatile modern politics:
$5.00
-
Bangkok Chinatown Eats Self-guided Walking and Eating Tour by VoiceMap:
$5.13
-
Red Lights, Hummus, and a Beer Stop or Three: Audio Tour of Nana by VoiceMap:
$5.13
-
Kids Special: Bangkok Fantasia Lagoon Water Park Tickets:
$10
-
Calypso Cabaret Show Ticket in Bangkok:
$10
-
Bangkok Calypso Cabaret Show Ticket:
$10
-
Art in Paradise Bangkok Entrance (Ticket Only):
$10
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1-Hour Guided Patpong Museum Tour:
$12
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Art in Paradise Bangkok Tickets:
$12
-
Baiyoke Sky Hotel: Observation Deck & Revolving Point Ticket:
$13
-
The Patpong Museum Bangkok Ticket:
$14
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
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Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket:
$14
-
"Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español:
$18
-
"Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués:
$18
-
Santiago City Tour SCL & Santa Lucía Hill:
$25
-
Santiago City Tour:
$27
-
Half-Day Small-Group Panoramic Santiago Tour:
$27
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Small-Group Tour to Valle Nevado and Farellones from Santiago:
$30
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Half Day Guided City Tour in Santiago - Small Groups - Multi Language:
$30
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Welcome to Private Tour with a Local:
$30
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Santiago Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$32
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Walking tour "Popular flavors of Chile":
$33
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Santiago Half-Day Small-Group Panoramic Tour:
$35
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Bangkok may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $7.34 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $8.57 on alcoholic beverages in Santiago per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typical Alcohol prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
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4-Hour Sukhumvit Bar Crawl:
$7.50
-
4-Hour Thonglor Bar Crawl:
$20
-
Guided Bar Crawl:
$21
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From Khao Yai Wine Tasting by Bike:
$359
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English:
$18
-
"Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Official english:
$30
-
"Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués:
$30
-
Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official:
$30
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Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included:
$40
-
Concha y Toro Traditional Wine Tour from Santiago:
$45
-
Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included:
$45
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Half Day Trip to Santa Rita Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included:
$50
-
Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included:
$55
-
half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer:
$57
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Concha y Toro Marques Wine Tour from Santiago:
$64
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Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile:
$71
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.
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