Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Melbourne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Melbourne or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Melbourne 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: Melbourne or Santiago?
Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.
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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, 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 dayMelbourne $179Santiago $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $179, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $143. 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 Melbourne and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelbourne $120Santiago $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelbourne $240Santiago $222
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Melbourne 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: Melbourne Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melbourne $20Santiago $5.48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
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Airport Bus$11
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Tram Ride$2.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Melbourne Airport: Express Bus Transfer to/from City Center: $16
- Melbourne Airport: One-Way Transfer to Melbourne: $30
- GoBlu-EV: 100% Electric Cabs for Airport & City Transfer in MEL: $33
- Private Transfer from Melbourne hotels to Melbourne Cruise Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $52
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $52
- Melbourne Airport Luxury Car Transfer: $73
- Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $79
- From Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Melbourne: $79
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Melbourne Airports: $86
- Private Arrival Transfer: Melbourne Airports to Hotel: $86
- Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Melbourne Airport Private Transfer: $86
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$1.15
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
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Transfer from or to the airport in Santiago, Chile: $60
- 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 To Valle Nevado Private for small groups: $250
- 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
- Transfer Privado Entre Santiago Y El Aeropuerto: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Melbourne 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 dayMelbourne $31Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.64
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Pizza$4.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $53
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Pizza Making Party: $89
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $98
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Chinese Cooking Class Master: $118
- Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $122
- Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130
- Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $130
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.91
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Hamburger$2.54
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Dinner$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $116
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- 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.Melbourne $28Santiago $48
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Melbourne:Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.23
- Melbourne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.28
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.46
- Marvellous A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Melbourne Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- MoPA Children's Museum Admission Ticket: $9.25
- Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $9.91
- Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.91
- Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.91
- Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $9.91
- Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $11
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Experience Wildlife Encounter in Provincia Mountain of Chile.: $235
- Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- 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
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Day Volcano 8k Private Tour : $230
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
- Andes Sunset: shared tour with Asado in the mountain: $90
- Andes Whitewater Rafting Adventure plus Winery Tour and Tasting: $199
- Authentic Andes Adventure: Private Horse Riding and Cheese & Wine: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelbourne $17Santiago $8.51
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
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Bottle of Wine$5.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Pub Crawl: $17
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $19
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $33
- Laid back,Small-Group Yarra Valley Wine Tour :Wine,Gin,Cider+more: $86
- Yarra Valley Day Trip with Local Wine Tastings from Melbourne: $102
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $116
- Yarra Valley Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $129
- Southern Gippsland boutique Wine Tour with Tapas from Melbourne : $139
- Wine Tour Yarra Valley, Vic - inc. 2 course lunch + glass of wine: $165
- Mornington Peninsula Premium Tour with Wine Tasting at Yabby Lake : $172
- Yarra Valley Premium Tour Lunch and Sparkling Wine Tasting at Domaine Chandon: $178
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 tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Private Tour: Santa Rita Vineyard with Wine Tastings: $72
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Colchagua Premium Wine Tour from Santiago: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Santiago, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Melbourne. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Santiago?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Melbourne or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Santiago. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Melbourne is around the same temperature as Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Melbourne usually gets more rain in January than Santiago. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 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 JanuaryMelbourne 20°C (68°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Melbourne is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Melbourne in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F).
In April, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Santiago. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 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 AprilMelbourne 15°C (60°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Melbourne during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.
In July, Melbourne is generally around the same temperature as Santiago. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 9°C (49°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Santiago. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 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 JulyMelbourne 9°C (49°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Santiago. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Melbourne is around the same temperature as Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In October, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Santiago. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 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 OctoberMelbourne 14°C (57°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Melbourne
| Melbourne | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.