Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Beijing 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 Beijing 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: Beijing or Santiago?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $75Santiago $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $75, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $144. 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 Beijing and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $39Santiago $112
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $78Santiago $224
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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: Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $7.68Santiago $5.54
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
-
Taxi$4.69
-
Train from Airport for Two$6.88
-
Taxi to Hotel$8.25
-
2 Metro Passes$2.20
-
Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $17
- Beijing Daxing International Airport shuttle bus transfer service: $20
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Train Stations: $22
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Train Stations to Hotel: $22
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX) to Hotel: $23
- Private Airport Pick Up or Drop Off Transfer: $26
- One-Way Private Transfer to Beijing Airport: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX) to Hotel: $27
- Private One Way Transfer Service from Your Hotels to Train Stations in Beijing: $27
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beijing Airport (PEK or PKX): $27
- One-Way Private Transfer to Beijing Airport: $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
-
Metro Ride$1.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Departure Transfer from Santiago- Santiago Airport (SCL): $28
- Arrival Private Transfers : Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago in Luxury Van: $86
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car: $69
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $86
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- From Farellones Roundtrip Transfer: $28
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $72
- Ignacio P.García International Airport to Hermosillo - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $55
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- Private Transfer San Antonio port to Hotel or Santiago Airport: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Beijing 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 dayBeijing $19Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
-
Popcorn$0.83
-
Hot Pot Dinner$6.88
-
Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.75
-
Watermelon$1.93
-
Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
-
Two Popsicles$0.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef : $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- Gulou (the Drum Tower) of Beijing Dinner & Beer Walking Tour: $68
- 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
- Beijing Gulou Night Market Food Tour: $75
- discovery more Beijing back street evening food tour with locals : $79
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
- Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $80
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
-
Empanada$1.93
-
Hamburger$2.56
-
Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Sunset Alyan + 6 wines + savory board + rustic dinner + dessert: $130
- 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
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $24Santiago $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.25
-
Two Opera Tickets$58
-
Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.63
-
Forbidden City (for 2)$17
-
Forbidden City Tickets$17
-
Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tiananmen Square - Agent ticket booking service: $1.00
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Summer Palace Group Walking Tour: $5.00
- Temple of Heaven Group Walking Tour: $5.00
- Beijing's Old Hutongs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Confucius Temple and the Impercial College E-ticket: $6.48
- Temple of Heaven Tickets Booking: $6.50
- Beijing Lama Temple Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided Service: $7.00
- Beijing：Jingshan Park (Palace Museum Garden) Ticket: $7.15
- Panda House+City Attractions or Mutianyu Day Tour: $7.15
- Beijing Summer Palace Entrance Ticket (with Optional Guided Service): $7.88
- Confucius Temple and Imperial College Entrance Ticket : $8.00
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
- Best of Santiago a Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.98
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $10
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Undurraga Sibaris Tour Ticket: $22
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $24
- Walking Tour in Portuguese of Santiago City: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $11Santiago $8.61
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
- Portillo Andes Mountain Range with Inca Lagoon and Wine Tasting: $79
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $85
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- 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
- Portillo Andes Mountain Range Inca lagoon and wine tasting: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beijing or Santiago?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing 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 Beijing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Beijing or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Santiago. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Beijing this time of year.
In July, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBeijing 27°C (80°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Santiago. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Beijing is around the same temperature as Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.
Beijing usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBeijing 14°C (56°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Beijing can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.
In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBeijing -4°C (26°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Beijing usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBeijing 14°C (57°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Beijing
| Beijing | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.