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

Should you visit Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu 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: Kathmandu or Santiago?

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Kathmandu?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $54, 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 Kathmandu and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kathmandu $38
    Santiago $108
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kathmandu $76
    Santiago $216
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu


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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kathmandu $6.95
    Santiago $5.29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $1.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:

  • Private Kathmandu Airport Transfer - One-way transfer: $10
  • Kathmandu - Arrival transfer from airport to hotel : $12
  • Private Car Transfer Between Pokhara Airport and Lakeside: $13
  • Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $14
  • Kathmandu - Private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $15
  • Private car transfer from Kathmandu Airport to hotels in Kathmandu: $15
  • Kathmandu airport transfer service: $16
  • Kathmandu Airport to Hotel One Way Private Transfers: $16
  • Kathmandu Airport Transfer: $16
  • Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $17
  • TIA Kathmandu Airport transfer: $18
  • Private Kathmandu Airport Transfer (Airport to Hotel or Hotel to Airport): $20

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 Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $25
  • Santiago de Chile Airport Shuttle Transfer: $26
  • Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santiago hotels - Arrival Transfer: $28
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago: $32
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Hotel to SCL Airport: $32
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle Santiago Airport (SCL) - Santiago de Chile City: $33
  • Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $35
  • Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
  • From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
  • Transfer to Santiago or Santiago International Airport: $35
  • Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
  • Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Kathmandu 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
    Kathmandu $8.48
    Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu

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


  • Dessert
    $1.35
  • Dinner for Two
    $3.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu

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

  • Momo Making and Cooking class in Kathmandu: $9.46
  • Half Day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu by Local Chefs: $10
  • Nepali Cooking Class & Hotel Pickup: $11
  • Best Half day cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu: $11
  • Cultural Dinner Show with Traditional Dance: $17
  • Private Cooking class in Thamel Kathmandu - 4 Hours: $22
  • Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Visit: $23
  • Half-Day Immersive Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with pickup: $25
  • Nepal: Dinner at a Local Home with a Local Family: $26
  • Private Cooking Class with Transfers and Lunch: $27
  • Kathmandu Culinary Adventure: A Cooking Class Experience: $27
  • Embark on a Culinary Voyage: Cooking Class in Kathmandu: $28

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.
    Kathmandu $8.03
    Santiago $46
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:


  • Monkey Temple for Two
    $1.50
  • Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two
    $3.75
  • Swayambhunath Stupa
    $1.50

Tours and Activities in Kathmandu

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

  • Discover Kathmandu on a day cycling tour! (Minimum 4 people): $0.20
  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
  • City Highlights Bus Tour: $9.58
  • Sarngkot Sunrise Himalayas Tour in Pokhara: $10
  • Kathmandu TO Gorkha Bus Ticket: $11
  • Skywalk Adventure in Nepal: $11
  • Discovering Full-Day City Highlights Bus Tour: $12
  • Tourist Bus Intercity Hassle free Shuttle all over Nepal: $12
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara Tourist Bus- MNS: $13
  • Bandipur Tourist Bus Ticket: $13
  • Chitwan To Kathmandu Tourist Bus: $13
  • Kathmandu to Pokhara bus ticket : $13

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Official Tour of Santiago Cathedral: $9.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Santiago Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $15
  • Undurraga Sibaris Tour Ticket: $22
  • Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
  • Walking tour through Santiago: $26
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Santiago de Chile: $33
  • Viña Del Mar, Valparaiso, Casablanca & Reñaca Tour: $34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kathmandu $5.72
    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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu.

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


Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kathmandu. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu 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.