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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in 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 €139. 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 101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lyon 106
    Santiago 202
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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lyon 17
    Santiago 4.99
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:

  • Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) Private Transfer to Lyon City: $42
  • Transfer: Lyon City Center to Saint Exupéry Airport(LYS): $55
  • Transfer: Saint Exupéry Airport(LYS) to Lyon City Center: $55
  • Private Transfer from Port of LYON to Lyon Railway Stations: $72
  • Lyon Airport (LYS) to Aix-les-Bains - Arrival Private Transfer: $81
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Business Car: $87
  • Departure Private Transfer Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Business Car: $88
  • Arrival Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City in Business Car: $91
  • Private Transfer: Lyon Airport LYS to Lyon City by Business Car: $98
  • Lyon Airport Private Transfer to and from City Center: $99
  • Transfers by Private Drivers Lyon St Exupery Airport to Lyon: $99
  • Departure Transfer: Lyon City to Lyon Airport LYS by Luxury Van: $109

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    1.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Transfer to/from Santiago Airport (SCL): $15
  • Private Transfer to Santiago Airport (SCL): $27
  • Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
  • Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago: $34
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
  • Santiago de Chile Airport Transfer: $40
  • Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $42
  • Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $43
  • Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $43
  • Private transfer to or from Santiago SCL Airport: $45
  • Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $46

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 21
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.

  • Lyon Street Food Tour: $81
  • Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Tasting and Lunch Food Tour: $87
  • Afternoon Old Town Food tour: $87
  • Lyon Small-Group Full Meal Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $99
  • Food Tour by night: $99
  • Lyon Old Town Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch: $103
  • Lyon Sunset Food Tour – A Full Taste of France by Do Eat Better: $110
  • Lyon Old Town Food Tour with 5 French Delicacies & Fine Wine: $125
  • Food Tour Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Tastings: $139
  • Elegant 5-Course Rooftop Dinner with Panoramic Views of Lyon: $178
  • Lyon Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $220
  • Private Food Tour Halles of Lyon Paul Bocuse: $232

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    1.74
  • Hamburger
    2.31
  • Dinner
    24

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: $56
  • Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $57
  • Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
  • 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
  • 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
  • Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
  • Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
  • Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
  • Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
  • Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lyon 20
    Santiago 44
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 Tours in Lyon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.47
  • TOP Poitiers : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $5.80
  • Lyon Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
  • Poitiers Audio guided walking tour 2h00 and 16 audio commentary: $6.85
  • Lyon Audioguided Walking Tour 3h30 and 26 Audio Commentaries: $6.85
  • Lyon Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $6.94
  • Layers of Lyon Romans Silk and Streets Self Guided Tour: $6.99
  • Lyon Interactive City Tour: $8.12
  • Lyon Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.27
  • Lyon Self Guided Walking Tour with an App: $9.99
  • Lyon UNESCO Heritage Walking Tour with an App: $9.99
  • Lyon Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12

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: $11
  • Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
  • Guided Tour of Santiago de Chile History and Culture: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
  • Santiago Half Day Culture Walking Tour: $27
  • Roots and Tales of the Capital with City Tour of Santiago: $27

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lyon 24
    Santiago 7.75
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:

  • Lyon wine tasting and pétanque at the Tabareau Winery: $58
  • Lyon Music & Wine tasting: $93
  • Golden stones Beaujolais Wine Tour with Tastings from Lyon: $115
  • Beaujolais 100% wine tour Small-Group Tour with Tasting from Lyon: $115
  • Beaujolais Half Day Wine Tasting Tour: $115
  • The Original Syrah Wine Tour (2:00 pm - 6:30 pm) - Small Group Tour from Lyon: $126
  • Northern Rhône Valley Wine tour from Lyon Half Day: $126
  • Beaujolais wine tour from Lyon half day: $126
  • Lyon Wine Tasting: Small-Groups with a Professional Sommelier: $129
  • Guided tour and wine tasting Northern Rhône Valley: $138
  • Lyon Old Town Food & Wine Tasting Tour including a Bouchon Lyonnais: $139
  • Lyon's Grooves & Grapes : Wine Tasting & Record Shops Tour: $151

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

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

  • "Chile in Your Glass" Wine Tasting.: $22
  • Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
  • Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $59
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Concha y Toro Tour with Wine Tasting and Transport: $87


When comparing the travel costs between Lyon and Santiago, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon 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 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)