Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Lisbon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lisbon or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon or Santiago? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lisbon or Santiago?
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, 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 dayLisbon €131Santiago €132
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is €131, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €132. 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 Lisbon and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon €58Santiago €103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon €116Santiago €206
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon €24Santiago €5.07
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride€6.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Arrival Transfer: From Lisbon Airport to Hotels: $11
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to/from Lisbon Center: $14
- Private Departure Transfer: From hotels to Lisbon Airport: $14
- Lisbon Private Airport Departure Transfer: $14
- Lisbon Private Departure Transfer to Airport, Train or Port: $14
- Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $14
- Private Transfer: Lisbon Airport to or from Lisbon Center: $15
- Exclusive Luxury Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport: $16
- Transfers - Aeroporto de Lisboa (Chegadas/Partidas): $16
- Private Lisbon Airport Transfers: Your Journey, Your Way: $17
- Lisbon Airport Transfer: $20
- Private Transfer Within City Center & Airport: $21
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€1.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- from Santiago airport private arrival transfer to the Valparaiso pier: $251
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santiago APT-HTL (SCL): $51
- Transfer from or to the airport in Santiago, Chile: $60
- Transfer from Valparaiso or San Antonio Port + Condor Watching Tour: $230
- 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 Lisbon or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Lisbon 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 dayLisbon €42Santiago €12
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
- No Diet Club - Unique food tour in Lisbon with many Tastings: $62
- Original Morning Food Tour: $63
- Lisbon Tipsy Food Tour with Drinks and Food inlcuded: $69
- Tipsy Food Crawl Walking Tour with Dinner: $69
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada€1.77
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Hamburger€2.35
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Dinner€24
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: $94
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- 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.Lisbon €24Santiago €44
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- See Lisbon Through the Eyes of a Local - Free Walking Tour: $1.07
- Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.12
- Belém Unveiled: A Free Tour Through the Age of Discoveries: $1.28
- Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $3.26
- Wonders of Lisbon Walking Tour: $3.93
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Lisbon: $4.36
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in the Marvels of Lisbon : $4.80
- Lisbon Cathedral Entry Ticket: $5.33
- Lisbon Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $5.33
- Tower of Saint George’s Castle Church Ticket & Drink: $5.33
- Lisbon Walking Tour: $5.33
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour From Príncipe Real to Downtown Lisbon: $5.53
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Colchagua Valley Tour & Tasting: $270
- 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 Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon €18Santiago €7.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
- Private Bar Crawl in Lisbon: $22
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
- Wine Tasting at Quinta das Murgas: $38
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $42
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 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
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $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
- Santa Rita: Ultra Premium Wine Tasting, Tour and Transport: $145
When comparing the travel costs between Lisbon 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 Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon 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 Lisbon has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Lisbon or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Santiago. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Santiagoin January. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 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 JanuaryLisbon 23°C (73°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Lisbon is a little warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.
In October, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 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 AprilLisbon 19°C (66°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.
In the winter, Lisbon is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Santiagoin July. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 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 JulyLisbon 12°C (53°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Santiago. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Lisbon is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 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 OctoberLisbon 16°C (60°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Lisbon
| Lisbon | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.