Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Mendoza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mendoza or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mendoza and Santiago. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mendoza or Santiago?
Mendoza
Mendoza is a city in western Argentina and more precisely in the desertic Cuyo region. Mendoza is the center of the Argentinian wine industry and is famed around the world for its vineyards and wine production. Spread across the valley of the Rio Mendoza and in the foothills of the Andean mountain range, Mendoza is also near the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The bustling and scenic city of wide, leafy avenues, atmospheric plazas and cosmopolitan cafes spoils visitors with unique natural attractions and historical landmarks. If you can, visit Mendoza during the harvest festival at the end of February. There are many events and festivals in Mendoza and they are usually free. Each has a different theme, and they usually have a stage with singing and dancing and booths that sell food around a plaza. Seventy percent of Argentina's wines are produced here, and Mendoza is especially known for its world-famous malbecs.
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 Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, 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 dayMendoza $7.36Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Mendoza is $7.36, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Mendoza and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMendoza $2.79Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMendoza $5.58Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Mendoza and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Mendoza 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: Mendoza Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mendoza $1.46Santiago $5.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza
Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $9.00
- Private 1-Way or Round-Trip MDZ Airport Transfer: $20
- Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel: $27
- Mendoza to Mendoza Intl Airport (MDZ)- Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $30
- Mendoza Private Airport Transfers: $35
- One Way Shared Transfer Mendoza Airport/Downtown Hotel: $39
- Las Leñas to Mendoza Int Airport (MDZ)-Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Departure Private Transfer Valle de Uco to Mendoza Airport MDZ : $80
- Arrival Private Transfer from Mendoza Airport MDZ to Valle de Uco: $80
- Tour of 3 Top Wineries in Lujan and Maipu. Transfer Included: $100
- Private Transfer Vinicolas Lujan de Cuyo / Maipu: $120
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$1.13
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
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santiago APT-HTL (SCL): $51
- Transfer from or to the airport in Santiago, Chile: $60
- Transfer from Valparaiso or San Antonio Port + Condor Watching Tour: $230
- Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago: $83
- 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 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Mendoza or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Mendoza 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 dayMendoza $3.29Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Empanadas$0.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking class - Gastronomic Experience - 12 classes per year: $150
- Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
- Visit Los Toneles + Saffron Dinner (Michelin Star). With Transfer: $240
- Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270
- Cooking class at Bodega Lamadrid Winery in Luján de Cuyo: $270
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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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.
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $94
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- 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.Mendoza $2.08Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in Mendoza
For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mendoza Walking Tour: The history of the City and main Park!: $11
- Tour autoguiado en bicicleta por Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza): $19
- Malbec Experience in Bodega Tierras Altas: $20
- Half-Day Sightseeing City Tour: $21
- Renacer Winery Experience: $25
- City tour with visit to General San Martin Park: $27
- Mendoza City Tour: $31
- Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $33
- 12-KM River Rafting Tour in the Andes: $39
- Historical City Walking Tour: $40
- Half Day Winery Tour: $45
- From High Andes Aconcagua Mountain Tour: $46
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Colchagua Valley Tour & Tasting: $270
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- 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
- Andean Tour: $158
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMendoza $1.25Santiago $8.41
Typical Alcohol Prices in Mendoza
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:
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Beer$0.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Mendoza
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mendoza:
- Classic Wine Tasting: $22
- Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $28
- Premium Wine Tasting: $45
- Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $49
- Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
- Full-Day Private Luján De Cuyo Wine Tour from Mendoza: $143
- Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $150
- Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $164
- Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $165
- Wine Tour with Lunch and Transport in Mendoza: $170
- All Day, Small Group, Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $180
- Intimate Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $215
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 Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
- Santa Rita: Ultra Premium Wine Tasting, Tour and Transport: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mendoza and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Mendoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mendoza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mendoza 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 Mendoza.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mendoza Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mendoza or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Mendoza. When comparing the sizes of Mendoza 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.