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

Should you visit Brussels 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 Brussels 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: Brussels or Santiago?

Brussels

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.

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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Brussels?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €137, 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 Brussels and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Brussels 73
    Santiago 103
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Brussels 146
    Santiago 206
Compare Hotels in Brussels and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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 Brussels


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: Brussels Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Brussels 17
    Santiago 5.09
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:


  • Subway Pass
    4.50
  • Atomium train ticket (2)
    8.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:

  • Brussels Airport: Transfer to/from Gent Sint Pieters Station: $11
  • Airport Transfer to/from Lille City Center: $16
  • Brussels to Ostend Airport (OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
  • Airport Arrivals Private Transfer to the City: $60
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Brussels from/to airport: $60
  • Arrival Transfer from Brussels Train Station to Brussels by Sedan: $64
  • Arrival Private Transfer Brussels Train Station to Brussels by Luxury Car or Van: $68
  • VIP Transfer between City/ Airport and Ghent: $70
  • Airport transfers from Brussels to Zaventem Brussels airport by luxury car: $74
  • Brussels City all area to Brussels Airport BRU - Private Airport transfer 1-7pax: $75
  • Brussels City all area to Brussels Airport BRU - Private Airport transfer 1-3pax: $75
  • Private Departure Transfer from Brussels City to Brussels Airport by luxury car: $78

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    1.06

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Santiago- Santiago Airport (SCL): $27
  • Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
  • Arrival Private Transfers : Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago in Luxury Van: $85
  • Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
  • Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
  • Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car: $68
  • Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $85
  • Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
  • From Farellones Roundtrip Transfer: $35
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $72
  • Luxury Airport Private Transfer SCL: $90
  • Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300

Is it cheaper to fly into Brussels or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Brussels 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
    Brussels 38
    Santiago 12
Typical Food Prices in Brussels

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:


  • Ice Cream & Macaroons
    4.60
  • Dessert (Turkish Delights)
    4.75
  • Cheese
    5.60
  • Olives and Snacks
    6.98
  • Waffle
    3.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
  • Chocolate and Beer Food Tour of Brussels: $43
  • City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $61
  • Food Tour in Brussels - Do Eat Better Experience: $106
  • Brussels Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $130
  • Secret Food Tours Brussels: $138
  • Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $160
  • Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $164

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    1.77
  • Hamburger
    2.35
  • Dinner
    24

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Brussels 23
    Santiago 44

Tours and Activities in Brussels

Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Historical Walking Tour: The Story of Brussels - by Legends: $3.26
  • Free Tour of Brussels in Italian (with booking fee): $3.26
  • BELvue Belgium History Museum Entry Ticket: $5.38
  • 600 Years of History and Heritage: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Leuven: $5.99
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $5.99
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $7.00
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.27
  • Museum Halle Gate Entry Ticket: $7.53
  • Brussels’ Noble Beginnings: An Upper Town Audio Tour: $7.99

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Brussels 13
    Santiago 7.90
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:


  • Bottle of Wine
    10
  • Beer
    6.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:

  • Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $17
  • Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $18

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
  • Colchagua Premium Wine Tour from Santiago: $145


When comparing the travel costs between Brussels and Santiago, we can see that Brussels 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 Brussels is in Europe 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 Brussels Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Brussels or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Brussels. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels 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 Brussels has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Brussels or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Santiago. The summer months attract visitors to Brussels because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Brussels is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brussels in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.

In July, Brussels usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Brussels gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Brussels 18°C (65°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Brussels or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Santiago. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Brussels this time of year.

In October, Brussels is generally cooler than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 12°C (54°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Brussels usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Brussels 12°C (54°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Brussels or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Brussels. Brussels is much colder than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.

In January, Brussels usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Brussels 3°C (38°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Brussels or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Brussels during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Brussels in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Brussels is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brussels in April average around 10°C (49°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.

Brussels usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Brussels 10°C (49°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Brussels

Brussels Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 10°C (49°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 18°C (65°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 76 mm (3 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 4°C (40°F) 76 mm (3 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)