Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Madrid?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Madrid or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Madrid and Santiago can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Madrid or Santiago?
Madrid
Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.
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 from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Madrid Prices
Spain PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMadrid €162Santiago €133
The average daily cost (per person) in Madrid is €162, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €133. 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 Madrid and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMadrid €78Santiago €97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMadrid €156Santiago €194
Compare Hotels in Madrid and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Madrid 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: Madrid Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Madrid €18Santiago €4.78
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid
Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- MAD Airport Private Transfer to/from Madrid City Center: $23
- Hotel Madrid City Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $28
- Private transfer departure from City Centre to Madrid Airport: $29
- Madrid Airport (MAD) to Madrid - Arrival Private Transfer: $43
- Madrid Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $50
- Madrid Airport Departure Private Transfer: $51
- Madrid Airport to City Center: 1-Way Premium Private Transfer: $51
- Private Transfer From Madrid to Atocha Station in Madrid: $56
- Private Transfer From Madrid to Chamartín Station in Madrid: $56
- Private Transfer from Novelda to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $63
- Private Transfer from San Vicente del Raspeig to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $63
- Private Transfer From Madrid Airport to Madrid: $65
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€1.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $467
- Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
- Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
- Private Santiago, Visit Santa Rita Winery and Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer to Ski Centers: $299
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Valparaíso: $296
- Private Transfer Between Santiago and Cruise Port: $270
- Santiago de Chile: Private Transfer to San Antonio / Port: $270
- Private Transfer to Sewell UNESCO Andes Town Tour with Lunch: $269
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
- Private cruise transfer: Puerto San Antonio or Valparaíso ↔ Santiago: $260
- Private Santiago, Visit Concha y Toro Winery and Transfer: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into Madrid or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Madrid 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 dayMadrid €59Santiago €20
Typical Food Prices in Madrid
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:
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Coffee€2.00
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Ice Cream€3.00
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Kebabs (for 2)€16
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Croissant€1.50
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Lunch at Airport (for 2)€16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid
For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $65
- Small-Group Food Tour with Local Tapas & Spanish Wine: $69
- Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $70
- Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $76
- Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid: $77
- Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $94
- Madrid Spanish Omelet Cooking Class and Bottomless Wine brunch: $95
- Madrid Food Tour in a Neighborhood Market with Churros: $105
- Tapas & Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with a Professional Chef: $105
- Madrid Local Tapas Tour with Private Dinner and Bottomless Wine: $139
- Paella Cooking Class in Madrid with Bottomless Wine Pairing: $141
- Madrid Food Tour - Tapas Walking Tour: $142
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada€1.67
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Hamburger€2.21
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Dinner€23
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
- Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $58
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- 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
- Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $109
- Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Madrid €33Santiago €42
Tours and Activities in Madrid
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.
- Madrid Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $1.76
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Madrid: $3.54
- Madrid Walking Tour from Puerta del Sol to Retiro Park: $3.54
- Self-Guided Tours In Madrid With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.54
- Walking Tour of Madrid Modern: $3.54
- Madrid City Highlights Walking Tour: $4.74
- Where Cervantes Feuded: A Self-Guided Madrid Tour: $5.00
- The Red Thread of Resistance Madrid Podcast Tour: $5.67
- Let's Tapear! The Madrid Tapas Route Walking Audio Tour: $7.35
- Madrid Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Surreal Adventure Game: $8.28
- Madrid Essential : Self-Guided Tour created by local Official Guide: $8.29
- Madrid Interactive City Tour: $8.29
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
- 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
- 1 Day Valparaiso and Vina del Mar Tour from Santiago: $51
- 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $30
- 6 Hour Tour of Culture, History and Flavors from Santiago: $75
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago (Standard): $280
- Adventure in Portillo: Laguna del Inca and Mountain Picnic: $85
- An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $60
- Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & El Morado Lodge and Spa: $147
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Panoramico - Guided Sightseeing Tour from Santiago: $87
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMadrid €19Santiago €7.43
Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:
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Beer€5.00
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Drinks and Tapas (for 2)€13
Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:
- Top Pub Crawl Madrid & Party: $12
- Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
- Madrid Pub Crawl: VIP Entry & Shots, Games (Kapital, Fitz, Shoko): $14
- Pub Crawl Madrid Adventure bars with Open bar and VIP Club Entry: $17
- Madrid Pub Crawl: Club Entry, Bars & Shots: $20
- Spanish Wine Tasting Overlooking Parque del Oeste: $26
- Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor in Madrid: $36
- Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
- Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $54
- Madrid Tapas and Wine Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Rooftop Bar Crawl Madrid Experience: $77
- Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
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
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- "Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Official english: $45
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $50
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Valparaíso and Vineyard of the Sea with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Madrid and Santiago, we can see that Madrid is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Madrid or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Madrid. When comparing the sizes of Madrid 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.
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.