Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Bucharest?
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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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: Bucharest or Santiago?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Bucharest Prices
Romania PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $178Santiago $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $178, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $148. 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 Bucharest and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $62Santiago $107
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $124Santiago $214
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Santiago $5.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Express Transfer to Therme Bucuresti: $15
- Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $15
- Bucharest Transfer Service: $19
- Bucharest Private Airport Transfer from or to City Center Hotel: $21
- Bucharest Airport Transfer: $22
- Private transfer Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport: $22
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tecuci: $22
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Barlad: $24
- Airport Transfer -One way Bucharest Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport : $25
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Vaslui OMV: $26
- Bucharest Otopeni Airport OTP to Bucharest City Center Hotel - private transfer: $27
- Transfer from Otopeni Airport to Bucharest: $27
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$1.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
- Arrival Private Transfers : Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago in Business Car: $67
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $27
- Cruise-ship passengers: Transfer to Santiago/Chile: $180
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car: $67
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- From Farellones Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- Ignacio P.García International Airport to Hermosillo - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Luxury Airport Private Transfer SCL: $90
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $100Santiago $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner &tour at Museum of Communism after closing: $50
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism & tour after closing: $53
- 5 Premium Wine Tasting with Rich Dinner, incl Sommelier: $73
- Exceptional Dinner by Multi-Award-Winning Chef, Drinks incl: $73
- Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $81
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $81
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $83
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $85
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $94
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $127
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $200
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $225
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.85
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Hamburger$2.45
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Dinner$25
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
- Night Tour with Tastings and Dinner at Concha y Toro Winery, Santiago.: $120
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $130
- Sunset Alyan + 6 wines + individual snack + rustic dinner : $130
- Viña Concha y Toro Nocturno: Dinner Show: $137
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $14Santiago $46
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ghost Hunt Quest Experience: $5.90
- Quest Experience in Bellu Cemetery Bucharest: $5.90
- Life in Communist Quest Experience: $5.90
- Bucharest 1989 Revolution Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.23
- Bucharest 1989 Revolution Walking Tour with Smartphone App: $6.33
- Entry ticket at the Museum of Communism: $8.56
- Museum of Communism Ticket with Communist Coffee: $9.51
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $11
- Museum of Senses Entry Ticket: $11
- Alternative Bucharest Walking Tour: $11
- Bucharest Essential Tour: $14
- Bucharest Old Centre Tour: $16
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $5.00
- 4 Hours Guided Walking Tour in Santiago : $5.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $10
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $10
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $15
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- Santiago Cultural Tour: $21
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $23
- Guided tour to some sights of the city: $24
- Walking City Tour Santiago with a local+optional activities: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.11Santiago $8.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $23
- Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $28
- Bachelor Party Custom Bar Crawl: $37
- Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $38
- Bar Crawling: $43
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $53
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $53
- Bucharest Private Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $56
- Pub Crawling in Style to the Most Fancy Bars (not Old Town): $58
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $59
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Concha y Toro Full Master Edition: Wine Tasting Included: $56
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- From Santa Rita Vineyard Tour with Wine Tastings: $69
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- 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
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $100
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Santiago, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Bucharest or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Santiago. The summer months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Bucharest is around the same temperature as Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
In July, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Bucharest gets 64 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 JanuaryBucharest 23°C (73°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Santiago. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
In the autumn, Bucharest is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bucharest in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
Bucharest usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 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 AprilBucharest 13°C (55°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bucharest. In January, Bucharest is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around -1°C (29°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 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 JulyBucharest -1°C (29°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the spring for the activities around the city.
Bucharest is cooler than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
Bucharest usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 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 OctoberBucharest 12°C (54°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.