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

Should you visit Hvar or Santiago?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hvar and Santiago can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Hvar or Santiago?

Hvar

Hvar is a Croatian island full of mountains, vegetation, beaches, vineyards, shops, restaurants, and also people! Hvar Town is the main city on the island, but there are many other small villages throughout. The best time to visit Hvar is between May and September, although keep in mind it can get busy during this period.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Hvar?

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 Hvar is €208, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €130. 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 Hvar and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hvar €81
    Santiago €95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hvar €162
    Santiago €190
Compare Hotels in Hvar and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Hvar 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 Hvar


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: Hvar Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hvar €51
    Santiago €4.68

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    €0.98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Transfer to/from Santiago Airport (SCL): $15
  • SCL Airport Private Transfer ⇄ Santiago/Providencia/Las Condes: $18
  • Private Transfer to Santiago Airport (SCL): $24
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Airport (SCL): $24
  • Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
  • Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
  • Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
  • Private Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport (SCL) → Hotel: $37
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Hotel to SCL Airport: $40
  • Santiago de Chile Airport Transfer: $40
  • Private Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Hotel: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Hvar or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Hvar 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
    Hvar €96
    Santiago €20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hvar

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

  • Cooking Class on Hvar Island: A Farm-to-Table Experience: $185

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    €1.63
  • Hamburger
    €2.16
  • 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
  • Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $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
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hvar €19
    Santiago €41

Tours and Activities in Hvar

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

  • Hvar Self Guided Tour of the City Made by a Harbour: $7.99
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour of Hvar’s Historical Old Town: $15
  • 1-Hour Battle Archery Game in Hvar Adventure Park: $23
  • Private Multi-Activity Experience in Adventure Park Hvar Jelsa: $26
  • 1-Hour Private Paintball Adventure in Park Hvar Jelsa: $31
  • Stand Up Paddle school - learn to SUP and make your first SUP tour: $34
  • Sunset Boat Tour with unlimited wine,drinks & Music at Stari Grad: $46
  • Timeless Old Town Walking Tour with Local Guide: $46
  • Private Half-Day Kayak Experience in Hvar and Pakleni Islands: $58
  • Lavender Fields & Villages: Self-Guided EBike Tour with Swim Stop: $69
  • Experience Romantic Sunset Sailing on a modern 36ft (11m) sail yacht | Hvar: $74
  • Dolphin Watching Boat Tour in Hvar with lunch and drinks unlimit: $80

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • Santiago-du-Chile Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h15 and 26 Audios: $6.73
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $11
  • Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
  • Guided Tour of Santiago de Chile History and Culture: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hvar €19
    Santiago €7.26

Sample the Local Flavors in Hvar

Also in Hvar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wine Tasting Round Trip from Hvar Family Winery at a Hilltop: $89
  • Private Hvar Island Bike Tour and Wine Tasting: $112
  • Sunset E Bike Tour and Wine Tasting on Hvar Island: $141
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $164
  • Exclusive Hvar Wine Tour with Scenic Views and Local Wines: $171
  • Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour: $194
  • Stari Grad Private Tuk Tuk Tour with Wine Tasting: $250
  • From Split: Private Blue Lagoon & Pakleni with Wine Tasting: $2,567

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
  • Tour Viña Santa Carolina in Santiago with 3 wine tasting: $53
  • 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
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75


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


Which is Bigger, Hvar or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 1310 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Hvar 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 Hvar 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 Hvar has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Hvar or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Hvar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hvar this time of year.

Hvar is a little warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Hvar averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

In July, Hvar usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Hvar gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Hvar 26°C (80°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Hvar or Santiago in the Autumn?

Both Santiago and Hvar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Hvar for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Hvar is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hvar in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

Hvar usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Hvar gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Hvar 18°C (64°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Hvar or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hvar and Santiago. Many visitors come to Hvar in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Hvar is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Hvar average around 8°C (47°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Hvar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santiagoin July. Hvar gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Hvar 8°C (47°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Hvar or Santiago in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Hvar as well as Santiago. Most visitors come to Hvar for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Hvar is around the same temperature as Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Hvar averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

Hvar usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Hvar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Hvar 15°C (59°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Hvar

Hvar Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 75 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 51 mm (2 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 26°C (80°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 50 mm (2 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 13°C (56°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 10°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)