Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dubai or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Santiago can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Santiago?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDubai $248Santiago $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $144. 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 Dubai and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Santiago $112
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Santiago $224
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Santiago $5.54
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Global Village entry tickets with transfer option: $9.77
- Global Village Dubai Skip the Line Tickets with Transfer Option: $12
- Private Dubai Airport Arrival/Departure Transfer to Dubai City: $13
- Shared Transfers from Dubai Hotels to Ski Dubai/Wild Wadi: $15
- Dubai Airport Transfer to Dubai Hotels: $16
- Private Transfer Arrival Dubai International Airport (DXB): $17
- Private Transfer to Any Attraction in Dubai: $18
- Shared Transfers from Dubai Hotels to Aquaventure/Lost Chamber: $18
- Sharing Transfers from Dubai Hotels to Dubai Mall (Burj Khalifa, VR Parks, DAUZ): $18
- Dubai Airport Private Departure and Arrival Airport Transfer: $19
- Dubai Airport Shuttle - One Way Departure Transfer: $22
- Sharing Transfers from Dubai Hotels to IMG Worlds of Adventures: $23
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$1.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $539
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- Transfer To Valle Nevado Private for small groups: $250
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Viña del Mar: $241
- City Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $234
- Santiago Private Transfer: Santiago Airport to San Antonio Cruise Port : $216
- Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
- Santiago Transfer: Santiago Airport to Valparaiso Cruise Port: $207
- Private Transfer: Santiago Hotel to San Antonio Pier : $201
- Private Airport Transfer to/from Portillo Ski Resort: $190
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Dubai 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 dayDubai $56Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.53
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DINNER +PARTY + CITY of old city Dubai : $6.00
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
- Dhow Cruise Dubai Creek Dinner with Sharing Transfer : $18
- Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner - Creek: $20
- Dubai Evening Desert safari & BBQ Dinner-Centralized pickup: $24
- Dubai Best Dhow Cruise Dinner Buffet (Multi Cusine): $25
- Dubai Best Dhow Cruise Dinner Canal Ocenan Queen: $25
- Dhow Cruise Dinner on Dubai Creek: $26
- Desert Safari Dubai with BBQ Buffet Dinner: $26
- Dubai Desert Safari with Quad Bike, BBQ Dinner & Shows: $26
- Extreme Desert Safari, Camel Ride, Show & BBQ Dinner: $27
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.93
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Hamburger$2.56
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Dinner$26
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
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $130
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
- Viña Concha y Toro Nocturno: Dinner Show: $137
- 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
- Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago with Wine Pairings : $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Santiago $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
- Burj Khalifa, Dubai Hidden Gems - Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.59
- Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
- Dubai Fountain Walk Bridge Ticket: $9.49
- Dubai Fountain Bridge Walk Tickets : $11
- Desert Safari Self Drive Tour: $12
- AL Shindagha Museum Admission Tickets: $13
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
- Al Shindagha Museum Ticket: $13
- Dubai Fountain Show Boat Lake Ride or Bridge Walk Tickets: $13
- Snapshot Tour of Dubai includes photo stop at Atlantis & Madinath Jumeirah: $15
- Dubai Frame Ticket: $16
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Colchagua Valley Tour & Tasting: $270
- Experience Wildlife Encounter in Provincia Mountain of Chile.: $235
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- "Ultimate Andes Adventure: Luxury Helicopter Ski Experience": $2,219
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- A Private Tour of Santiago with an Experienced Local Guide: $134
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
- Andes Tour to Portillo Inca Lagoon with San Esteban Vineyard Empanada & Wine: $99
- Authentic Andes Adventure: Private Horse Riding and Cheese & Wine: $150
- Best of Santiago a Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Santiago $8.61
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Private Tour: Santa Rita Vineyard with Wine Tastings: $72
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $85
- Portillo Andes Mountain Range with Inca Lagoon and Wine Tasting: $89
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Santiago, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai or Santiago?
Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dubai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Dubai or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Dubai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally much warmer than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Dubai usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Santiagoin January. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Dubai.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDubai 35°C (95°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round.
Dubai is much warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.
In October, Dubai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santiagoin April. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilDubai 29°C (84°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Santiago. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.
Dubai usually gets less rain in January than Santiagoin July. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. January to March in Dubai is the rainy season.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyDubai 19°C (66°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Dubai or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year.
In April, Dubai is generally much warmer than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In April, Dubai usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santiagoin October. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberDubai 26°C (79°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Dubai
| Dubai | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 35°C (95°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 36°C (97°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 33°C (91°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 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.