Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur 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: Kuala Lumpur or Santiago?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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 Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, 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 dayKuala Lumpur $62Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $62, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Kuala Lumpur and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $36Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $72Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $6.41Santiago $5.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.14
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.67
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Short Taxi Ride$3.14
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.68
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Arrival Transfer KLIA1 / KLIA2: $13
- Departure Transfer : Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport: $13
- Exclusive Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $14
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer Services: $15
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $15
- Private airport transfer KLIA to Kuala Lumpur city : $16
- PVT Arrival Transfer<>KLIA 1/2 to Kuala Lumpur: $17
- PVT Departure Transfer <> Kuala Lumpur to KLIA 1/2: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $17
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$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santiago APT-HTL (SCL): $51
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Santiago Airport (SCL) - Santiago de Chile City: $49
- Transfer from or to the airport in Santiago, Chile: $60
- Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago: $83
- Transfer from Santiago to Portillo Ski Center: $160
- Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $83
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Transfer Santiago Airport to the commune of Providencia: $56
- Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
- Transfer Santiago - Valparaíso: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $15Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$8.39
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.02
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour in Kampung Baru: $50
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $56
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $62
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $63
- Private Malaysian Cooking Class With A Professional Chef: $64
- Firefly Park Kuala Selangor Seafood Dinner and Free Boat Ride: $64
- 'Kelip Kelip' Fireflies Tour include Dinner + Free Boat-Ride: $65
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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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.
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $92
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $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
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- 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
- Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $13Santiago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$9.43
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $3.93
- Malaysia: KL Tower Entry Ticket: $4.60
- Alive 3D Art Gallery Admission Ticket: $7.67
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $9.81
- Batik Colouring Workshops Experience: $11
- KL Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket: $11
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- Berjaya Times Square Theme Park Entry Ticket: $12
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- Half-Day City Tour: $13
- Suburbs and Batu Caves Half-Day Tour: $13
- Country & Batu Cave Half Day Tour (SIC - Join In Tour): $13
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- 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
- Andean Tour: $158
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
- Andes Sunset: shared tour with Asado in the mountain: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.21Santiago $8.41
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.43
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
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- 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
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or Santiago?
Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Santiago. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 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 JanuaryKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
In October, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 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 AprilKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Kuala Lumpur during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Santiagoin July. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 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 JulyKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
In the spring, Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 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 OctoberKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.