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.
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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.
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Chengdu Prices
China PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChengdu $71Santiago $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Chengdu is $71, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $161. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChengdu $22Santiago $117
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChengdu $44Santiago $234
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: Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chengdu $6.35Santiago $5.81
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
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport Chauffeur Service, Chengdu Airport Transfer, Pickup: $25
- Private Transfer from Chengdu hotel to Chengdu Train Station: $27
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Chengdu Railway Station to City Hotel: $28
- Chengdu City to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Hassle-Free & Comfortable Airport Transfer Service: $30
- Chengdu Airport (CTU) to Chengdu - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Chengdu to Chengdu Airport (CTU) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
- Chengdu to Chengdu Airport (TFU) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
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$1.21
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: $105
- Airport Transfer: Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $105
- Casas del Bosque Winery + RE Wineries : Exclusive Tour + Transfer: $220
- City Tour Santiago with Exclusive Guide + Private Transfer: $270
- City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $85
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $105
- From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
- Private 15-Passenger Premium Transfer – Santiago to Valparaíso: $149
- Private Airport Transfer Santiago Arrival or Departure 4pax SUV: $65
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
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
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Food Meals for one dayChengdu $40Santiago $24
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 Hidden Street Food Tour Spice Trails: $60
- Eat Like a Local! Food Tour in the Hidden Alleys: $67
- Tuktuk Food Tour Through Chengdu Local Eats: $68
- 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:
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Empanada$2.02
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Hamburger$2.69
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Dinner$28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $58
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
- 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
- Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $128
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chengdu $17Santiago $51
Tours and Activities in Chengdu
Here are a few actual costs in Chengdu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bamboo Weaving Experience and Chengdu Wenshu Monastery: $5.00
- Free Walking Tour in Chengdu, Experience the city like a Local: $5.00
- Panda Research Base Ticket or Volunteer Day Trip: $9.50
- Chengdu Museum Tours & Tickets: $10
- Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Ticket: $14
- Chengdu Panda Research Base Tickets And Optional Private Tour: $14
- Chengdu Giant Panda Base Ticket: $15
- Ticket reservation for Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base: $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
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: $9.00
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
- Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
- Guided Tour of Santiago de Chile History and Culture: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
- Santiago Half Day Culture Walking Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChengdu $4.21Santiago $9.02
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:
- Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $27
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $59
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- 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.