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

Should you visit Galapagos Islands or Santiago?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Galapagos Islands 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: Galapagos Islands or Santiago?

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a small archipelago of islands belonging to Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The Galapagos archipelago is world-renowned for its unique and fearless wildlife, much of which was inspiration for Charles Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. Thanks to a lack of natural predators, friendly wildlife such as sea lions and gigantic sea tortoises let visitors get up close. This archipelago of about 19 islands and many smaller islets found over 620 miles off Ecuador's coast in the Pacific Ocean is a double World Heritage site, where both land and sea are protected. Each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from black, volcanic rocks to white sand beaches and gemstone-blue waters. There is no bad time to visit the Galapagos Islands but the busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as mid-December to mid-January. This is when prices are at their highest.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Ecuador, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Ecuador, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Galapagos Islands?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Galapagos Islands is $138, 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 Galapagos Islands and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Galapagos Islands $65
    Santiago $108
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Galapagos Islands $130
    Santiago $216
Compare Hotels in Galapagos Islands and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Galapagos Islands 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 Galapagos Islands


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: Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Galapagos Islands $54
    Santiago $5.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galapagos Islands

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

  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $48
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island: $55
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to Isabela Island: $60
  • Transfer from Santa Cruz Island to San Cristobal Island: $60
  • Private Transfer from Hotels in Santa Cruz to Baltra Airport: $138
  • Private Transfer from Baltra Airport to Hotels in Santa Cruz Island: $144
  • Transfer in + Visit to the giant turtle nature reserve: $205

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 Galapagos Islands or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Galapagos Islands 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
    Galapagos Islands $33
    Santiago $13

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.
    Galapagos Islands $35
    Santiago $46

Tours and Activities in Galapagos Islands

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

  • Private Tour Sighting Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnels: $36
  • Isabela Island Wetlands Walking Tour: $40
  • Bay Tour in Santa Cruz - Galapagos Islands: $60
  • Isabela Island Tour in Galapagos with Kayak and Snorkeling: $64
  • FERRY TICKET From: Isabela / To: Santa Cruz (AM): $65
  • FERRY TICKET From: Santa Cruz / To: San Cristobal (PM): $65
  • Hiking Tour to Sierra Negra Volcano: $67
  • Half Day Bay Tour in Santa Cruz Island: $70
  • Private BiciTour Giant Tortoises and Lava Tunnel in Galapagos: $90
  • Half Day Tour in Sierra Negra Volcano & Lava Fields: $90
  • Kayaking Experience in Franklin Bay: $95
  • Tintoreras Islet Tour from Isabela - Hiking & Snorkeling in Galapagos Islands: $99

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
    Galapagos Islands $15
    Santiago $8.21

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 comparing the travel costs between Galapagos Islands and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Galapagos Islands Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.