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

Should you visit Faro or Santiago?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Faro or Santiago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Faro or Santiago?

Faro

Faro (or sometimes Faros) is the capital city of the scenic Algarve Region of Portugal, located at the edge of the Ria Formosa National Park. This is a fantastic place to experience the beauty, culture, and traditions of Portugal in laid back atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the larger cities. Faro offers everything from ancient architecture to beautiful beaches all while being surrounded by the natural beauty of the Algarve Region.

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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Faro?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Faro is €160, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €129. 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 Faro and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Faro €75
    Santiago €94
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Faro €150
    Santiago €188
Compare Hotels in Faro and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Faro 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 Faro


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: Faro Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Faro €9.52
    Santiago €4.63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Faro

Also for Faro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Faro FAO Airport Private Transfer to/frm Faro/Albufeira/Quarteira: $13
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Algarve Hotels to Faro Airport: $14
  • Faro Airport: Comfortable bus transfer to/from Lagos: $19
  • Private Departure Transfer: Algarve Hotels to Faro Airport: $27
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Faro Airport to Algarve Hotels: $27
  • Private Transfer from Faro City to Faro (FAO) Airport: $37
  • Private Transfer from Faro (FAO) Airport to Faro City: $37
  • Private Transfer from Faro Airport to Olhão (1-4 pax): $40
  • Faro airport private transfers (Vehicles up to 4 pax): $40
  • Faro Airport Private Transfer - Albufeira (Arrival): $40
  • Private Transfer From Faro Airport to Vilamoura (up to 4 pax): $42
  • Private transfers between Faro and Boliqueime: $44

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    €0.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $467
  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Clos Apalta Winery - Tour with Private Transfer: $300
  • Santiago de Chile: Private Transfer to San Antonio / Port: $270
  • Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $270
  • Private Transfer Between Santiago and Cruise Port: $270
  • Private Transfer to Sewell UNESCO Andes Town Tour with Lunch: $269
  • Private cruise transfer: Puerto San Antonio or Valparaíso ↔ Santiago: $260
  • Portillo and Laguna Del Inca, Exclusive Guide and Private Transfer: $250
  • Private Cruise Transfer : Santiago → Valparaiso or San Antonio: $239
  • Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Transfer: $228
  • Villard Winery with exclusive guide + Premium Transfer: $220

Is it cheaper to fly into Faro or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Faro 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
    Faro €62
    Santiago €19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Faro

For Faro, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Olhão Fish Market & Food Tour: $107
  • 3 Hours Classic Food Tour in Faro: $112
  • Faro Food Tour & Drinks and City highlights 10 Tastings: $126
  • Faro Cataplana Cooking Class: from kitchen to the table: $132
  • Algarve Private Wine and Food Tour From Faro: $228

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    €1.61
  • Hamburger
    €2.14
  • Dinner
    €22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

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

  • Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $56
  • Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
  • 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
  • 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
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Faro €9.41
    Santiago €40

Tours and Activities in Faro

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Faro.

  • Faro Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.45
  • Camera Obscura - Tavira Eye - Admission Ticket: $6.87
  • Olhao Self Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $11
  • Gateway to Algarve: A Faro Walking Tour: $12
  • The Mysteries of Old Faro - walking tour - self guided city quest: $14
  • Faro Mega Arena Run Experience Interactive Challenge: $18
  • Cork Factory Tour & Cork Shop: $20
  • Faro Relax Tour on Solar Boat Ria Formosa: $29
  • 2 Hours Boat Tour in Ria Formosa: $29
  • 2 Hours Boat Tour Fishermen's Route in Ria Formosa: $29
  • Islands Tour: Half Day Cruise in Ria Formosa Natural Park: $29
  • Tavira Route Boat Tour: $29

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $27
  • 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
  • 1 Day Undurraga Vineyard Tour from Santiago: $120
  • 1 Day Valparaiso and Vina del Mar Tour from Santiago: $51
  • 2 Day Santiago Old and Modern City Contrasts Private Tour: $260
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $30
  • An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $60
  • Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & El Morado Lodge and Spa: $147
  • Andes Day Lagoon in Cajón del Maipo & Embalse el Yeso Private Tour: $270
  • Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
  • Andes Day Volcano 8k Private Tour: $270

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Faro €3.13
    Santiago €7.19

Sample the Local Flavors in Faro

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Faro:

  • Tour & Wine tasting - Authentic Algarve Flavours by Quinta da Tôr: $23
  • Faro Pub Crawl Night of Drinks Games VIP Club Entry: $34
  • Algarve Wine Tasting - Curated Wines & Pairings (Faro): $51
  • Discover Tavira - Tapas and Wine Tour: $86
  • Tavira Tuk Tuk Tour: Historic Center & Wine Tasting: $96
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting& Tapas in the heart of Faro: $112

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
  • Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
  • Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
  • Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $45
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $55
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $65
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Faro and Santiago, we can see that Faro is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Faro is in Europe 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 Faro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Faro 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 Faro Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Faro or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Faro. When comparing the sizes of Faro 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 Faro or Santiago?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Santiago is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Faro has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Faro or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Faro during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Faro for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Faro is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Faro in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.

Faro usually gets less rain in July than Santiagoin January. Faro gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Faro 25°C (78°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Faro or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Faro and Santiago. Many visitors come to Faro in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Faro is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Faro average around 20°C (68°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In October, Faro usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Faro gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Faro 20°C (68°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Faro or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Faro as well as Santiago. Most visitors come to Faro for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Faro is a little warmer than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Faro averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.

Faro usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santiagoin July. Faro gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Faro 12°C (54°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Faro or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Faro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Faro because of the beaches.

In the spring, Faro is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Faro in April average around 17°C (62°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.

In April, Faro usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Faro gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Faro 17°C (62°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Faro

Faro Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 13°C (56°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 15°C (58°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 25°C (78°F) 1 mm (0 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 16°C (60°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)