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

Should you visit Cairo or Santiago?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Santiago can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cairo or Santiago?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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 Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Cairo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $17, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Cairo and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $9.36
    Santiago $110
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $19
    Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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 Cairo


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $2.99
    Santiago $5.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Cairo or Giza Hotels to Cairo Airport: $5.00
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $9.00
  • Private Pickup transfer from Windsor Hotel Cairo to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Novotel Cairo El Borg: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Novotel Cairo El Borg to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Pickup transfer from Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Osiris Hotel to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Cairo Paradise Hotel to Cairo airport: $9.60
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Golden Hotel in Cairo: $9.60
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis: $9.60
  • Private Pickup transfer from Golden Hotel to Cairo airport: $9.60

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:

  • 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: $67
  • Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $84
  • Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
  • From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $71
  • Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
  • Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $55
  • Private Santiago Hotel or Airport Arrival Transfer to Viña del Mar or Valparaiso: $95
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
  • Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Cairo 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
    Cairo $4.75
    Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

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


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River: $12
  • Cairo Night Dinner With Belly Dancer Show With Pickup & Drop Off: $13
  • Nile Sunset, Dinner Cruise, Show and Private Transfer: $16
  • Super Safari Quad Bike Jeep Safari Buggy and Dinner in Hurghada: $18
  • Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $18
  • VIP tour Giza pyramids ,Sphinx, Quad bike ,Camel, Dinner cruise : $19
  • Private Expert tour Giza Pyramids ,Sphinx ,Nile Dinner Cruise & Belly Dancer: $19
  • Giza Pyramids, Camel Ride, Quad Bike, Night and Dinner Cruise on Nile: $19
  • All inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx & ATV &Dinner cruise : $20
  • Private tour Giza pyramids and Nile dinner cruise from Giza and Cairo hotels: $23
  • Food Tour in Local Cairo Life with Egyptian tea: $23
  • Giza pyramids ,Sphinx ,Valley temple and Nile Dinner cruise tours: $24

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.89
  • Hamburger
    $2.50
  • Dinner
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

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

  • Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
  • Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $92
  • Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $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
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
  • 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.
    Cairo $5.75
    Santiago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.84
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.49

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • Cheapest Tour to Wonders Pyramids of Giza and Great Sphinx : $4.00
  • Dahshur Pyramids Entry Tickets: $4.26
  • Baron Palace Entry Tickets : $4.60
  • The Baron Empain Palace Entry Ticket: $4.60
  • Cairo Shopping tour Private Papyrus Perfume, Bazar Cotton Shop : $4.70
  • All Inclusive Tour to Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara: $5.00
  • New Grand Egyptian Museum Tour with optional the pyramids tour..: $5.00
  • Baron Empain Palace Entry Tickets: $5.16
  • Entry Ticket to the Prince Mohamed Ali Palace : $5.39
  • Skip The Line with Memphis Museum Entry Ticket: $6.53
  • Cairo Shopping Tour.: $7.00
  • Baron Palace Skip the line Access Entry Tickets: $7.02

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
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
  • La Paz from the Heights: Walking tour and Three Telefericos.: $20
  • Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $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
  • History Walking Tour in Chile: $29
  • Half Day tradicional city Tour: $30
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.17
    Santiago $8.41

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $59

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 Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $63
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
  • Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
  • 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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago than you might in Cairo.

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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Santiago?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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 Cairo or Santiago?

Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cairo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cairo or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round.

In the summer, Cairo is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.

In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Santiagoin January. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Santiago. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Cairo is generally much warmer than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Santiagoin April. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year.

Cairo is much warmer than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.

In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Cairo during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Cairo is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.

Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Santiagoin October. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Cairo

Cairo Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)