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

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kaunas is €118, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €128. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kaunas 44
    Santiago 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kaunas 88
    Santiago 186
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.

Hotels in Kaunas


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: Kaunas Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kaunas 17
    Santiago 4.60

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:


  • Metro Ride
    0.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Santiago Airport (SCL) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $18
  • Santiago de Chile Airport Private Transfer: $25
  • Official Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $27
  • Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
  • Airport Private Transfer to/from Santiago de Chile: $40
  • Transfer Santiago de Chile airport: $40
  • Farellones Full Day Roundtrip Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Santiago, Chile : $43
  • Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
  • Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
  • Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $45
  • Transfer to Snowy Valley fullday for skiers : $49

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kaunas 60
    Santiago 19

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    1.60
  • Hamburger
    2.13
  • Dinner
    22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

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

  • Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
  • Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
  • 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
  • Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kaunas 19
    Santiago 40

Tours and Activities in Kaunas

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

  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $54
  • Kaunas Old Town tour + IX Fort Museum (BONUS): $60
  • 1 day Self-Guided Bike Tour with Train Tickets: $69
  • Recreational Tour in Kaunas - The City of Freedom: $70
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Kaunas: $84
  • Tours in Kaunas Old Town: $100
  • Kaunas : Sightseeing Walking Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $117
  • Kaunas city center tour + IX Fort Museum (BONUS): $119
  • Kaunas, Lithuania 2-Hour Sightseeing Tour: $176
  • Kaunas Old Town: 2-Hour Private Ghost Tour: $243
  • Kaunas Private Tour: Love Stories: $243
  • Old Town Private Ghost Tour: $477

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $9.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
  • A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
  • Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kaunas 16
    Santiago 7.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

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

  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
  • Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93


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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Kaunas 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Kaunas 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Kaunas -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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Kaunas 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)