Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Kaunas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kaunas or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Santiago. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kaunas or Santiago?
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second biggest city in Lithuania, located at the country's center. It is a city of medieval history as well as modern entertainment with castle ruins, churches, and cathedrals, as well as galleries, museums, theatres, and outdoor recreation.
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 Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Kaunas Prices
Lithuania PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKaunas €117Santiago €129
The average daily cost (per person) in Kaunas is €117, 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 Kaunas and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKaunas €42Santiago €94
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKaunas €84Santiago €188
Compare Hotels in Kaunas and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Kaunas 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: Kaunas Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kaunas €15Santiago €4.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kaunas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kaunas:
- CO2-Offset Private Transfer from Kaunas to Kaunas Airport KUN: $60
- CO2-Offset Departure Transfer Kaunas City to Kaunas Airport KUN: $68
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€0.97
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
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago: $40
- Private Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Hotel: $40
- Santiago de Chile Airport Transfer: $40
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $42
- Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
- Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Kaunas or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Kaunas 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 dayKaunas €58Santiago €19
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada€1.61
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Hamburger€2.14
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Dinner€22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kaunas €18Santiago €40
Tours and Activities in Kaunas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaunas are as follows:
- Best of A Modernism and Medieval History Self Guided tour: $15
- Secrets of Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $23
- Immersive VR Cultural Experience in Kaunas: $23
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $53
- Kaunas Old Town tour + IX Fort Museum (BONUS): $57
- Kaunas Old Town Tour: Local Secrets & Hidden Corners: $58
- Recreational Tour in Kaunas - The City of Freedom: $68
- 1 day Self-Guided Bike Tour with Train Tickets: $68
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Kaunas: $80
- Kaunas : Sightseeing Walking Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $115
- Pažaislis Monastery and Church Guided Tour: $127
- Kaunas Old Town and Aleksotas tour: $165
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $11
- Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $27
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
- City Tour Santiago - Walking Tour: $29
- Guided Walking Tour through the Historic Center: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKaunas €15Santiago €7.19
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
- 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
- Valparaíso and Vineyard of the Sea with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
When comparing the travel costs between Kaunas 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. Even though Kaunas is in Europe and Santiago is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas 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 Kaunas 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 Kaunas has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Kaunas or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kaunas is generally cooler than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In July, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKaunas 18°C (64°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kaunas or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Kaunas during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year.
Kaunas is much colder than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.
Kaunas usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKaunas 8°C (46°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Kaunas or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Santiago. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Kaunas. In the winter, Kaunas is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.
In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKaunas -5°C (23°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Kaunas or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Santiago. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Kaunas is generally much colder than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Kaunas usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKaunas 7°C (44°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Kaunas
| Kaunas | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (25°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (33°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 13°C (56°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (46°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.