Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Santiago?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, 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 dayIslamabad $42Santiago $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $143. 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 Islamabad and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Santiago $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Santiago $222
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.67Santiago $5.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
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$1.15
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
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Valparaíso: $273
- from Santiago airport private arrival transfer to the 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
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Viña del Mar: $237
- City Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $234
- Transfer Santiago - Valparaíso: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.91
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Hamburger$2.54
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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.
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $116
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.48Santiago $48
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Private Tour: Half Day Islamabad Saidpur Village Exploration Tour: $80
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Guided Top 5 Wonders Exploration Tour: $95
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Experience Wildlife Encounter in Provincia Mountain of Chile.: $235
- Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- A Private Tour of Valparaiso with an experienced local guide.: $195
- Adventure and Viewpoints in Cajón del Maipo: $255
- Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Day Volcano 8k Private Tour : $230
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
- Andes Sunset: shared tour with Asado in the mountain: $90
- Andes Whitewater Rafting Adventure plus Winery Tour and Tasting: $199
- Authentic Andes Adventure: Private Horse Riding and Cheese & Wine: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Santiago $8.51
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
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Private Tour: Santa Rita Vineyard with Wine Tastings: $72
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad is in Asia 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago than you might in Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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 Islamabad has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Islamabad or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Islamabad during the summer are popular places to visit.
The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Islamabad in July average around 32°C (90°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Santiago.
In October, Islamabad is generally much warmer than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 26°C (80°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In October, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 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 AprilIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Santiago.
Islamabad is much warmer than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.
Islamabad usually gets less rain in January than Santiagoin July. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Islamabad is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Islamabad in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.
In April, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.