Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Chengdu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chengdu 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 Chengdu 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: Chengdu or Santiago?
Chengdu
Chengdu is in China's Sichuan Provence and is in what is known as the Red Basin. It is a particularly fertile region in China that is known for its agriculture. For this reason it is sometimes referred to as the "Land of Milk and Honey". The Funan River cuts through the city but has almost no boat traffic anymore. The city itself has a wonderful relaxed vibe compared to the rest of China and is filled with green parks and places to relax. It is considered one of the most livable cities in China.
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 China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
-
Chengdu Prices
China PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChengdu $71Santiago $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $71, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $155. 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 Chengdu and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChengdu $22Santiago $113
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChengdu $44Santiago $226
Compare Hotels in Chengdu and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Chengdu 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: Chengdu Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chengdu $6.34Santiago $5.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chengdu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chengdu:
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Private Transfer Tour: $15
- Leshan Giant Buddha Entry Ticket with Optional Guide & Transfer: $18
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Tour with Guide or Transfer: $20
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide: $20
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chengdu International Airport (CTU): $23
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport Chauffeur Service, Chengdu Airport Transfer, Pickup: $25
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Departure Transfer:City Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chengdu: $28
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chengdu Railway Station to City Hotel: $28
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu City - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Hassle-Free & Comfortable Airport Transfer Service: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
-
Metro Ride$1.16
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: Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $104
- Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $84
- Airport Transfer: Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $104
- City Tour Santiago with Exclusive Guide + Private Transfer: $270
- City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
- Clos Apalta Winery - Tour with Private Transfer: $300
- Cruise Ship Transfer to Valparaiso Port with 6 Hour tour + Winery: $89
- Cruise Terminal Transfer from Valparaíso & Wine Tasting: $129
- Departure Transfer Santiago de Chile to Santiago Airport SCL: $82
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $104
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
Is it cheaper to fly into Chengdu or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Chengdu 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 dayChengdu $40Santiago $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chengdu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chengdu.
- Chengdu Vegetarian Cooking Class at a Local Home: $39
- Chengdu Night: VIP Seat Opera Show or Back Alley Food Tour: $40
- Chengdu Food Tour Local Delicacies and Ear Cleaning: $59
- Private Chengdu TukTuk Food Tour: Hidden Alleys & Local Eats: $59
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Discovery more Chengdu evening food tour with locals: $69
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking with a Local Market Visit: $69
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu's Local Eats: $73
- Evening Food Tour with Local Guide: $78
- Chengdu Evening Food Tour: $79
- Chengdu Cooking Class with a Local Market Visit: $80
- Half-Day Steamed Buns (Bao) Cooking Class with Local Market Visit: $80
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
-
Empanada$1.94
-
Hamburger$2.57
-
Dinner$27
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: $57
- Mercado Meals Santiago Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $98
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chengdu $17Santiago $49
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $9.00
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Volunteer Day Trip: $9.50
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Optional Private Tour: $14
- Ticket reservation for Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base: $15
- Chengdu Giant Panda Base Ticket / Optional Private Guide Service: $15
- Chengdu Panda Base Tickets with Optional Private Tour Upgrade: $16
- Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $16
- Half-Day Panda Base Tour with Guide Option: $17
- Du Fu Thatched Cottage Museum Ticket for Adult: $18
- Panda Breeding Base Tickets Booking: $19
- Chengdu panda Base Tickets with Optional Private Tour: $20
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Ticket pre-booking: $20
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $11
- Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
- Tour of Santiago with Professional Photography: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $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
- City Tour Santiago - Walking Tour: $29
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChengdu $4.20Santiago $8.64
Sample the Local Flavors in Chengdu
Also in Chengdu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chengdu Pub Crawl: $10
- Tipsy Travel: Chengdu Evening Food and Bar Crawl with Local Guide: $138
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
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $65
- Valparaíso and Vineyard of the Sea with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chengdu and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Chengdu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chengdu is in Asia 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 Chengdu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chengdu 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 Chengdu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chengdu Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chengdu or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Chengdu. When comparing the sizes of Chengdu 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.
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.