A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brisbane vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Brisbane or Santiago?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Santiago can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Brisbane or Santiago?

Brisbane

Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.

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 Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Brisbane?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Brisbane is $156, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $150. 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 Brisbane and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Brisbane $82
    Santiago $109
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Brisbane $164
    Santiago $218
Compare Hotels in Brisbane and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Brisbane 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.

Hotels in Brisbane


Hotels in Santiago


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: Brisbane Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Brisbane $18
    Santiago $5.39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:


  • Airtrain to the City
    $9.93
  • Go Card
    $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane

Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Transfer Service from Brisbane Airport: $21
  • Private Transfer from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane Port: $33
  • Private Transfer from Brisbane Cruise Port to Brisbane: $33
  • Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
  • Brisbane Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Brisbane city: $42
  • Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast: $52
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Brisbane Airport to Hotel: $54
  • Brisbane Airport to Sunshine Coast Transfer Service: $55
  • Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Brisbane hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $70
  • Brisbane Airport to Brisbane Hotels Private Round-Trip Transfer: $70
  • Private Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City to Cruise Port: $91
  • Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City: $91

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $539
  • Transfer From Santiago/Airport to Valparaiso(Exclusive & Private): $299
  • Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $270
  • Private Transfer Between Santiago and San Antonio Port: $255
  • Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
  • City Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $234
  • Private Transfer: From Santiago Airport to Valparaiso: $220
  • Transfer Santiago-Valparaiso / Valparaiso-Santiago: $220
  • Santiago Transfer: Santiago Hotels to Valparaiso Cruise Port: $201
  • TRANSFER TRANSFER AIRPORT-VIÑA DEL MAR VALPARAISO: $190
  • Cruise-ship passengers: Transfer to Santiago/Chile: $180
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $167

Is it cheaper to fly into Brisbane or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Brisbane 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 day
    Brisbane $55
    Santiago $22
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:


  • Hamburger Lunch
    $5.30
  • Cup of Coffee
    $1.99
  • Chinese Food Lunch
    $8.28
  • Ice cream
    $3.64
  • Japanese Meal
    $14
  • Smoothie
    $4.30
  • Japanese Soup
    $7.62
  • Coffee & Muffin
    $4.64
  • Morning Mint Tea
    $2.32
  • Veggie Burger & Chips
    $9.27
  • Bread
    $1.72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane

For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Vertigo Dinner: Dining on the edge!: $131
  • Dinner on the Edge with Vertigo Brisbane: $169
  • Guided Food Tour with Coffee, Seafood and Wine: $593

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    $1.88
  • Hamburger
    $2.49
  • 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 Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $108
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $109
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $130
  • Viña Concha y Toro Nocturno: Dinner Show: $137
  • 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
  • Dinner at a Typical Chilean Restaurant with a Traditional Dance Show in Santiago: $150
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $158
  • Bali Hai Dinner Show in Santiago de Chile: $161

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Brisbane $24
    Santiago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane

For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Concert Tickets
    $13

Tours and Activities in Brisbane

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.

  • Trevena Glen Farm Animal Experience: $17
  • True Crime Tour: $22
  • Fortitude Valley Historical Crime Walking Tour: $22
  • Winery Tour and Tasting: $23
  • Haunted Brisbane CBD Ghost Tour: $24
  • Bloody Brisbane CBD Crime Tour - Crime Tours Australia | Jack Sim: $24
  • Solve a Detective Case in a themed adventure: $26
  • City Walking Tour 90 minutes: $32
  • Sightseeing River Cruise with Morning Tea: $32
  • Midday River Guided Sightseeing Cruise: $32
  • Afternoon Sightseeing Cruise on the Brisbane River: $32
  • Lumber Punks Axe Throwing Experience: $33

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Colchagua Valley Tour & Tasting: $300
  • Experience Wildlife Encounter in Provincia Mountain of Chile.: $235
  • Farellones & Valle Nevado Group Tour: $100
  • Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
  • Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
  • 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
  • 4 Hours Guided Walking Tour in Santiago : $5.00
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago : $198
  • An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $40
  • Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
  • Andean Tour: $170

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Brisbane $51
    Santiago $8.37
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:


  • Evening at the Bar
    $9.93
  • Sixpack of Beer
    $9.27
  • Guiness Beer
    $5.63
  • Sixpack of Beer
    $8.60

Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:

  • XXXX Beer Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $24
  • XXXX Brewery Tour: $25
  • Stone & Wood Brewery Tour: $30
  • City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $51
  • Sirromet Wine Tasting And Blending Workshop For 2: $82
  • Island Pub Crawl with Lunch and High Speed Boat Tour in Brisbane : $101
  • Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $105
  • Half Day Gold Coast Brewery Tour: $107
  • Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $125
  • Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $135
  • Mount Tamborine Deluxe Wine Tasting with Two Course Lunch: $135
  • Deluxe Wine Tour to Tamborine Mountain, includes two course lunch: $145

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 Full Master Edition: Wine Tasting Included: $56
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $60
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile: $77
  • Valparaiso Art and Culture with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
  • half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
  • Concha y Toro semi-private tour with 3 wine tastings: $99
  • Portillo Andes Mountain Range Inca lagoon and wine tasting: $99
  • Portillo Andes Mountain Range with Inca Lagoon and Wine Tasting: $99
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99


When comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and Santiago, we can see that Brisbane is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Brisbane is in Pacific and Santiago is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brisbane Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Brisbane. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Santiago?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Brisbane or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Brisbane during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Brisbane is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 25°C (77°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually gets more rain in January than Santiago. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Brisbane 25°C (77°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Brisbane or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Santiago. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

Brisbane is a little warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Santiago. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Brisbane 22°C (71°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Brisbane or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Santiago. The winter months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Brisbane is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brisbane in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Brisbane usually gets less rain in July than Santiago. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Brisbane 15°C (59°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Brisbane or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year.

In October, Brisbane is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 21°C (69°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In October, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Santiago. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Brisbane 21°C (69°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Brisbane

Brisbane Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 152 mm (6 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 77 mm (3 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 15°C (59°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 16°C (61°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 21°C (69°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 24°C (76°F) 127 mm (5 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)