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

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.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Dubai?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $139. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubai $170
    Santiago $108
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubai $340
    Santiago $216
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.

Hotels in Dubai


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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubai $13
    Santiago $5.29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:


  • Taxi Ride
    $12
  • Airport Taxi
    $12
  • 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: $9.21
  • Global Village Dubai Ticket with Optional transfer: $10
  • Global Village Dubai Tickets with Transfers Option: $11
  • Global Village Entry Ticket with Hotel Transfer: $14
  • Shared Transfers from Dubai Hotels to Aquaventure/Lost Chamber: $18
  • Dubai Airport Transfers from all terminals: $19
  • Dubai Global Village All Days Ticket With Shared Transfer: $20
  • Dubai Frame Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $20
  • Dubai Frame Admission Ticket with Transfer Option: $20
  • Global Village Entry Ticket with Optional Transfers: $20
  • Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Dubai Airport (DXB): $20
  • Dubai Airport Private one way Arrival or Departure Transfer: $22

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    $1.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $539
  • Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
  • Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
  • Private Transfer from Santiago to San Antonio Valparaiso or Pichilemu: $290
  • Transfer From Santiago/Airport to Valparaiso(Exclusive & Private): $289
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Valparaíso: $276
  • Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $270
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250
  • Transfer To Valle Nevado Private for small groups: $250
  • Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Viña del Mar: $240

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dubai $56
    Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Dubai

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:


  • French bread
    $0.95
  • Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice
    $10
  • Lemon Mint Tea
    $4.36
  • Coffee & Cake
    $6.54
  • Smoothie
    $5.45
  • 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:

  • Deira Dhow Cruise Buffet Dinner with Entertainment: $14
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
  • Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
  • Dubai Dhow Cruise Dinner in Deira Creek: $15
  • 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
  • Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
  • Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $16
  • Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $16
  • Best Dhow Cruise Buffet Dinner with Tenora show: $17
  • 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $17
  • Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek: $17
  • Dhow Cruise Tour with Dinner in Deira Creek - Dubai: $18

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.84
  • Hamburger
    $2.45
  • Dinner
    $25

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: $97
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubai $19
    Santiago $46
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai

For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 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.

  • Dubai Guided Old Town Tour, Abra Boat, Gold & Spice Souk: $4.63
  • A Self-Guided Tour of Dubai’s Origins in Deira: $5.99
  • Global Village Entry Ticket: $6.13
  • Souqs, Old city & Abra boat tour with guide: $8.17
  • Dubai 4G Data Roaming for Tourist: $8.69
  • Pearl Merchants and Palm Trees: A Self-Guided Tour of Sharjah: $8.99
  • Dubai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Walking Tour, Old Town, Abra, Souks & Street Food: $9.80
  • Tour of old Dubai by night. Tastings and history.: $10
  • Walking Tour with Gold & Spice Souks & Abra Boat Ride: $10
  • Guided Old Town Tour with Souks, Tastings & Boat Tour: $11
  • Dubai Fountain Show Boat Lake Ride or Bridge Walk Tickets options: $11

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
  • 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
  • 4-hour city tour of Santiago in small groups: $80
  • Adventure and Viewpoints in Cajón del Maipo: $255
  • Andean Tour: $158
  • Andes Day Lagoon in Cajón del Maipo & Embalse el Yeso Private Tour: $200
  • Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
  • Andes Experience: Cajon de Maipo & Yeso Waterfall: $85
  • Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
  • Andes Puesta de Sol: tour compartido con Asado en la montaña: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubai $23
    Santiago $8.21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:


  • A Couple Drinks
    $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $66
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
  • Pub Crawl Private, Birthdays & Corporate Events: $110

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
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile: $77
  • 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
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
  • From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99


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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Dubai 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Dubai 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Dubai 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Dubai 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)