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

Should you visit Luxor or Santiago?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Luxor 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: Luxor or Santiago?

Luxor

Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.

The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.

Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.

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


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Luxor?

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 Luxor is $33, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $150. 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 Luxor and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Luxor $11
    Santiago $109
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Luxor $22
    Santiago $218
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Luxor 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 Luxor


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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Luxor $5.64
    Santiago $5.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:

  • Private transfer from/to Luxor train station: $5.00
  • Private Transfer from & to Luxor Airport from Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.00
  • "Pet-Friendly Private Transfer: Luxor Station to Hotel": $6.00
  • Seamless Transfers Between Luxor Airport & Your Hotel: $6.65
  • Private Transfer from Luxor Airport to Any Hotel in Luxor: $6.90
  • Luxor Airport to Aswan, Hurghada Transfer pickup/drop off 1 Way: $7.00
  • Luxor Airport Departure: Convenient Private Hotel Transfer: $7.00
  • Private Transfer From/To Luxor International Airport: $7.00
  • Luxor Airport Transfer to Hotel: $7.02
  • Pick up Transfers From Luxor Airport To Luxor Hotels: $7.50
  • Airport Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $8.36
  • Transfer from Luxor Airport or Hotel: $9.50

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Airport Transfer: Airport SCL to Santiago by Business Car: $81
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $86
  • Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
  • Arrival Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago de Chile: $80
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $106
  • City Tour Santiago with Exclusive Guide + Private Transfer: $213
  • City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
  • Departure Transfer Santiago de Chile to Santiago Airport SCL: $80
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $86
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $106
  • From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Luxor 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
    Luxor $16
    Santiago $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor

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

  • Tourist market,local food tour,the gym and coffee in Luxor: $19
  • Luxor Sunset Felucca Ride and Lunch or Dinner: $21
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing: $31
  • Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
  • 2 Hour Cooking Session with Family in Luxor: $40
  • Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
  • Karnak Sound And Light Show With Dinner, Felucca  : $64
  • Private Romantic Dinner with Fallucca Sail boat on the Nile Luxor: $70
  • Dinner on the River Nile with Belly Dancing in luxor: $78
  • private day in east bank & dendera with dinner on boat: $86
  • Cooking Class & Soulful Egyptian Farmer Experience in Luxor: $120

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.88
  • Hamburger
    $2.50
  • Dinner
    $26

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
  • 4-hour Boozy Chilean Cooking class in Santiago: $85
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
  • Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Luxor $10
    Santiago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor

Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Ride (for 2)
    $0.57
  • Temple Karnak for Two
    $2.73
  • Camel Ride for Two
    $1.26

Tours and Activities in Luxor

Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Full tour to Karnak and Luxor temples, and felucca: $5.00
  • Private Tour Shopping in Luxor City : $6.00
  • Historical Day Tour To Luxor And Mummification Museums: $8.00
  • Day Tour To Habu Temple Valley Of Workers And Queens: $8.00
  • Historic Corniche Walking Experience with Refreshment: $8.00
  • Luxor Day Tour: Explore Dendara & Abydos Temples: $8.19
  • Private Half-Day Tour: Exploring Luxor's East Bank: $8.50
  • Half Day Tour: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple & Mamnon: $9.00
  • Half Day Tour: Valley of the kings & Hatshepsut Temple and Memnon: $9.00
  • Private Guided Tour of Karnak and Luxor Temples: $9.00
  • Explore Luxor in amazing City Tour, Horse carriage : $9.00
  • Karnak Sound and Light Display Tour in Luxor (Private): $9.00

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: $9.00
  • Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $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
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Luxor $3.10
    Santiago $8.40

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
  • Santiago by Night: Funicular, Wine Tasting & Cueca Show: $69
  • 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
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Luxor is in Africa 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 Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Luxor.

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


Which is Bigger, Luxor or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor 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 Luxor or Santiago?

Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Luxor experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Luxor or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Luxor and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Luxor year-round.

It's very hot in Luxor this time of the year. Luxor is much warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

In July, Luxor usually receives less rain than Santiagoin January. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Luxor 33°C (91°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Luxor as well as Santiago. Luxor attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Luxor is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Luxor in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

Luxor usually gets less rain in October than Santiagoin April. Luxor gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago and Luxor are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Luxor throughout the year.

In January, Luxor is generally much warmer than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Luxor average around 14°C (57°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Luxor usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Luxor 14°C (57°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Luxor or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Luxor during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Luxor because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Luxor is much warmer than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Luxor averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

Luxor usually gets less rain in April than Santiagoin October. Luxor gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Luxor 25°C (77°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Luxor

Luxor Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 0 mm (0 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 32°C (90°F) 0 mm (0 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 33°C (91°F) 0 mm (0 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 31°C (88°F) 0 mm (0 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 30°C (86°F) 0 mm (0 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 1 mm (0 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 0 mm (0 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 0 mm (0 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)