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

Should you visit Lyon or Santiago?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Santiago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Lyon or Santiago?

Lyon

Lyon, located within the region of Southeastern France, is France's third largest city in terms of population, with just over 500,000 inhabitants. This makes the city large, yet still small and personable enough to be explored properly in a short visit. Known as the gastronomic capital of Europe, your culinary needs are exceptionally well catered to here, and for those with historical and cultural interests, you will never be at a loss for new things to do and see.

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 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Lyon?

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 Lyon is €155, 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 Lyon and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lyon 53
    Santiago 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lyon 106
    Santiago 186
Compare Hotels in Lyon and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Lyon 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 Lyon


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: Lyon Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lyon 17
    Santiago 4.60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lyon

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


  • Funiculaire
    5.20
  • Hop-on Hop-off Tourist Bus
    19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lyon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lyon:

  • Transfer: Lyon City Center to Saint Exupéry Airport(LYS): $56
  • Transfer: Saint Exupéry Airport(LYS) to Lyon City Center: $56
  • Private Transfer from Port of LYON to Lyon Railway Stations: $78
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Aix-les-Bains - Arrival Private Transfer: $84
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Business Car: $86
  • Lyon Private Transfer from Lyon Airport (LYS) to City centre: $87
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car: $99
  • Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $101
  • Private Transfer: Port of LYON to Lyon Airport LYS in Sedan Car: $106
  • Private Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS in Business Car: $106
  • Private Transfer: Port of LYON to Lyon Airport LYS in Luxury Van: $118
  • Private Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Luxury Van: $119

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 Lyon or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Lyon 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
    Lyon 71
    Santiago 19
Typical Food Prices in Lyon

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


  • Pastry
    1.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lyon

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

  • 3h Lyon Vegan Food Tour: $78
  • Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $89
  • Food Tour in Lyon – A Full Taste of France by Do Eat Better: $96
  • Food Tour by night: $101
  • Lyon Old Town Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $106
  • Lyon Old Town Food Tour with 6 French Delicacies & Fine Wine: $109
  • Lyon Sunset Food Tour – A Full Taste of France by Do Eat Better: $125
  • Croix Rousse Market & Rooftop Cooking Class in Lyon: $222
  • Private Lyon Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $227
  • Private Food Tour Halles of Lyon Paul Bocuse: $239
  • Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Food Tour: $273

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.
    Lyon 20
    Santiago 40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lyon

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lyon are as follows:


  • Lunch for 2
    45

Tours and Activities in Lyon

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

  • Self Guided Tour in Lyon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.57
  • Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.76
  • Lyon's History and Must-Sees with a Local! (English Walking Tour): $5.96
  • Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour (English) : $5.99
  • Lyon Interactive City Tour: $8.35
  • Lyon Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.37
  • Lyon Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Lyon Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
  • Lyon Self Guided Walking Tour with an App: $9.99
  • Lyon UNESCO Heritage Walking Tour with an App: $9.99
  • Access to a Self-Guided Tour of the archaeological site of Lyon: $12
  • Lyon WWII and Resistance Tour with Audio Guide: $13

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
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $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
    Lyon 24
    Santiago 7.15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lyon

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Lyon from other travelers:


  • Drinks for 2
    6.80
  • Bottle of Wine
    15

Sample the Local Flavors in Lyon

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

  • Riviera Bar Crawl Party with Free Shots and VIP Entry: $30
  • Wine tasting in Lyon & Secret Traboules: $95
  • Guided tour of Beaujolais by electric bike and wine tasting: $107
  • Wine Tasting and Introduction to Tasting Techniques: $114
  • Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $118
  • Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $118
  • Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon: $118
  • The Original Syrah Wine Tour (9:00 am - 1:30 pm) - Small Group Tours from Lyon: $119
  • Beaujolais wine tour from Lyon half day: $130
  • The Original Syrah Wine Tour (2:00 pm - 6:30 pm) - Small Group Tour from Lyon: $130
  • Northern Rhône Valley Wine tour from Lyon Half Day: $130
  • Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $142

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Santiago, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lyon is in Europe 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 Santiago would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon than you might in Santiago.

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


Which is Bigger, Lyon or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon 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 Lyon 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 Lyon has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Lyon or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Lyon is around the same temperature as Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

In July, Lyon usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Lyon 22°C (71°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Lyon or Santiago in the Autumn?

Both Santiago and Lyon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lyon is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lyon in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

Lyon usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Lyon 14°C (56°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Lyon or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Santiago. Most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lyon can be very cold during winter. In January, Lyon is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 4°C (39°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Lyon 4°C (39°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Lyon or Santiago in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Santiago. The spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Lyon is cooler than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

Lyon usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Lyon 11°C (53°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Lyon

Lyon Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)