A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mendoza vs. Torres del Paine National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mendoza or Torres del Paine National Park?

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 Torres del Paine National Park. 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 Torres del Paine National Park?

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.

Torres del Paine National Park

The Torres del Paine National Park is located in the extreme south of Patagonian Chile. Situated in the southern part of the Andes, the National Park is full of stunning mountains, lakes, rock formations, and glaciers, making it a hiker's paradise. The best time to visit is between November and April, which is their spring and summer. Be prepared though, as weather can change dramatically when traveling through the park, no matter the season!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Torres del Paine National Park or Mendoza?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mendoza is $7.47, while the average daily cost in Torres del Paine National Park is $77. 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 Torres del Paine National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mendoza $2.84
    Torres del Paine National Park $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mendoza $5.68
    Torres del Paine National Park $60
Compare Hotels in Mendoza and Torres del Paine National Park

Looking for a hotel in Mendoza or Torres del Paine National Park? 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 Mendoza


Hotels in Torres del Paine National Park


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mendoza $1.48
    Torres del Paine National Park $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mendoza

Also for Mendoza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Wineries Transfer Lujan de Cuyo Maipu: $140
  • Vistalba Winery + Susana Balbo Lunch. (Michelin Guide) Transfer inc: $230
  • Trapiche Winery Tasting + El Enemigo Lunch. Private transfer: $290
  • Trapiche Winery + Laur + Antigal Winery Lunch.Transfer included: $180
  • Transfer to Salentein Uco Valley with Lunch and Visit: $190
  • Tour of 3 Top Wineries in Lujan and Maipu. Transfer Included: $100
  • Tasting in two wineries + full lunch. Transfer included: $130
  • Shared Transfer Mendoza Bus Station / Downtown Hotel: $24
  • Private transfers to Vinicolas de Lujan and Maipú: $150
  • Private Transfer Vinicolas Valle de Uco: $190
  • Private Transfer Vinicolas Lujan de Cuyo / Maipu: $120
  • Private Transfer Mendoza Airport MDZ to Mendoza by Car or Minibus: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Mendoza or Torres del Paine National Park?

Prices for flights to both Torres del Paine National Park 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mendoza $3.34
    Torres del Paine National Park $24
Typical Food Prices in Mendoza

For Mendoza, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • 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:

  • Traditional lunch with pairing, private cooking class and show: $110
  • Full-Day Small-Group Mendoza Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $183
  • Visit Los Toneles + Saffron Dinner (Michelin Star). With Transfer: $240
  • Food Tour: $250
  • Night Visit to Bodega Toneles + Dinner at El Enemigo. Transport: $270

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mendoza $2.11
    Torres del Paine National Park $30

Tours and Activities in Mendoza

For Mendoza, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Admire the majesty of the Cordillera: AltaMontaña Experience: $250
  • Adventure Park - Unforgettable Challenge!: $75
  • Amazing High mountain tour to Aconcagua: $140
  • Andes High Mountain full day Tour: $77
  • Andes Mountain Tour Circuit Mt Aconcagua: $270
  • Asado em Casa Mendocina Experience with Friends: $150
  • Bike Tour in Mendoza Wine Country: $180
  • Bike Tour through Luján Wineries, Mendoza: $250
  • BikeTour- Winery, Handcraft Liquour Stre & Chocolate Factory: $88
  • Charms of Private Tour 3 Wineries with Paired Lunch: $280
  • Choose your Own Wine Adventure (full day): $142
  • Choose your Own Wine Adventure (full day): $182

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mendoza $1.27
    Torres del Paine National Park $5.27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Mendoza

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Mendoza:


  • 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:

  • Friday special wine tasting.: $15
  • Classic Wine Tasting: $22
  • Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $28
  • Vineyards with Wine Tasting in Mendoza: $39
  • Premium Wine Tasting: $45
  • Argentinean Asado with Local Host and Wine Tasting: $99
  • Ultimate Uco Valley Wine Tour: $140
  • Private Wine Tour, Tastings and Lunch with Pairings: $150
  • Mendoza Wine Tour with Lunch: $155
  • Private Maipu Valley Wine Tour from Mendoza: $159
  • Full Day Wine Tour with 3 Course Lunch: $165
  • Wine Tour with Lunch from Mendoza: $166


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mendoza and Torres del Paine National Park, we can see that Torres del Paine National Park 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 Torres del Paine National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Torres del Paine National Park 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 Torres del Paine National Park Expensive?.