Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Bilbao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bilbao or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and Santiago. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bilbao or Santiago?
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Bilbao Prices
Spain PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBilbao €170Santiago €133
The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €170, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €133. 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 Bilbao and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBilbao €72Santiago €97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBilbao €144Santiago €194
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Bilbao 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: Bilbao Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bilbao €26Santiago €4.78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $66
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $67
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Car: $80
- Private Transfer from Bilbao Cruise Port to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $94
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Vitoria Airport: $98
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Luxury Van: $113
- Departure Private Transfer from Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO by Luxury Van: $113
- Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
- Private Transfer from Bilbao city to Vitoria Airport: $179
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Bilbao city: $179
- Private Transfer from Bilbao city to Vitoria: $179
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao Cruise Port: $225
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€1.00
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: Airport SCL to Santiago by Business Car: $80
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
- Cruise Terminal Transfer from Valparaíso & Wine Tasting: $129
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $100
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
- Portillo and Laguna Del Inca, Exclusive Guide and Private Transfer: $250
- Private 15-Passenger Premium Transfer – Santiago to Valparaíso: $149
- Private Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport (SCL) → Hotel: $35
- Private Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Hotel: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Bilbao 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 dayBilbao €77Santiago €20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Bilbao Food Tour: Pintxos, Drinks, and Tapas with a Local: $89
- Bilbao Authentic Food Tour with 9 Pintxos and Local Drinks: $115
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $118
- Traditional Basque Pintxos Cooking Class in Bilbao: $118
- The Award-Winning Bilbao Food Tour & Wine Pairing by Basque Local: $124
- Paella and Burnt Basque Cheesecake Cooking Class in Bilbao: $148
- Small-group Immersive Basque Cooking Class in Bilbao with Open Bar: $178
- Gourmet Pintxos & Premium Wines small groups Food Tour: $213
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada€1.67
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Hamburger€2.21
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Dinner€23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $58
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $109
- Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bilbao €29Santiago €42
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Free Walking Tour Bilbao Old Town with Local Guides: $3.54
- Bilbao Old Town Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.62
- Bilbao Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.62
- Gugghenheim Museum E-Ticket with Gelato Tasting: $30
- Guggenheim Bilbao Museum Entry Ticket: $33
- Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Entry Ticket: $35
- Bilbao Old Town Tour: $36
- Bilbao Guggenheim Museum Entry Admission With Audio Guide Tour: $37
- Bilbao Must See Attractions Walking Tour With A Guide: $39
- Bilbao walking tour: $41
- Bilbao Exclusive Private Walking Tour: $41
- Bilbao : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $53
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Santiago-du-Chile Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h15 and 26 Audios: $6.99
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $11
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $11
- Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBilbao €21Santiago €7.43
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vizcaya Bridge, Gaztelugatxe and wine tasting from Bilbao: $89
- Bilbao Small Group Tour with Tapas and Wine Tasting: $114
- The Authentic Bilbao Pintxos, Food & Wine Tour with a Local: $117
- Basque Best Bites - #1 Food & Wine tour of Bilbao: $118
- Txakoli wine tour from Bilbao: $195
- La Rioja wine tour: winery and traditional lunch from Bilbao: $267
- Architectural Rioja Wine Tour: Marqués de Riscal & Ysios (Bilbao): $296
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- "Chile in Your Glass" Wine Tasting.: $22
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- "Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Official english: $45
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $50
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Valparaíso and Vineyard of the Sea with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Santiago, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao 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 Bilbao Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao 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 Bilbao 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 Bilbao has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Bilbao or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Santiago. The summer months attract visitors to Bilbao because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Bilbao is around the same temperature as Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
In July, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 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 JanuaryBilbao 20°C (68°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Santiago. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.
In the autumn, Bilbao is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bilbao in October average around 16°C (62°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bilbao usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 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 AprilBilbao 16°C (62°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Bilbao is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 9°C (48°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Santiagoin July. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 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 JulyBilbao 9°C (48°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Bilbao during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the spring for the activities around the city.
Bilbao is cooler than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 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 OctoberBilbao 12°C (54°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Bilbao
| Bilbao | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 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.