Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Bern?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bern or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bern or Santiago? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Bern or Santiago?
Bern
The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.
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 Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, 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 dayBern $252Santiago $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $252, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $143. 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 Bern and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBern $163Santiago $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBern $326Santiago $222
Compare Hotels in Bern and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Bern 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: Bern Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bern $34Santiago $5.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $192
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $214
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $228
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$1.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Private Departure Transfer from Santiago- Santiago Airport (SCL): $27
- Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $35
- From Farellones Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $39
- Private Transfer between Santiago and the Airport: $51
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
- Transfer Privado Entre Santiago Y El Aeropuerto: $52
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Bern 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 dayBern $60Santiago $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $66
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.91
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Hamburger$2.54
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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.
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $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
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
- Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bern $34Santiago $48
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.39
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $7.00
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.48
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.61
- Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $9.99
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- City Sightseeing Self-Guided Walking Tour Game: $15
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
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
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- Walking tour through Santiago: $26
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
- The Essentials City Tour & Optional Concha y Toro: $30
- Half Day tradicional city Tour: $30
- TOUR PANORAMICO VALLE NEVADO Y FARELLONES: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBern $27Santiago $8.51
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
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Private Tour: Santa Rita Vineyard with Wine Tastings: $72
- 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
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Santiago, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bern or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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 Bern 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 Bern has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Bern or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Bern is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
In July, Bern usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 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 JanuaryBern 21°C (70°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bern or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Bern during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Bern is generally cooler than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Bern usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 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 AprilBern 13°C (55°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Bern or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Santiago. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. Bern is much colder than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.
In January, Bern usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 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 JulyBern 3°C (37°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Bern or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bern as well as Santiago. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Bern is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.
Bern usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 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 OctoberBern 11°C (52°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Bern
| Bern | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.