Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Mexico City?
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 Mexico City or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mexico City 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: Mexico City or Santiago?
Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. There are an estimated 26 million people living in the greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The area is about 60 kilometers by 40 kilometers and is surrounded by tall mountains and volcanoes on three sides. Mexico City proper has about 8.8 million people and is the capital of the country. More than a third of the country's economy is based here, making it the wealthiest city in all of Latin America.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Mexico City Prices
Mexico PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMexico City $230Santiago $153
The average daily cost (per person) in Mexico City is $230, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $153. 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 Mexico City and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMexico City $41Santiago $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMexico City $82Santiago $222
Compare Hotels in Mexico City and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Mexico City 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: Mexico City Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mexico City $13Santiago $5.49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mexico City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:
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Metro$1.18
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Uber Ride$4.12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City
Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Mexico City Airport (MEX): $17
- Mexico to Mexico City Airport (MEX) Departure Arrival Transfer: $30
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Mexico City Airport (MEX): $34
- Mexico City Private Airport Transfer: $36
- Transfer Premium Mexico International Airport AICM: $37
- Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Mexico City: $38
- Private Transfer From Mexico City Airport to Downtown: $40
- Mexico City Airport Transfer to Estadio Azteca and City: $41
- Private One way Transfer from Mexico Airport to Mexico City: $41
- Aguascalientes Airport (AGU) to Aguascalientes - Arrival Transfer: $41
- Aguascalientes to Aguascalientes Airport (AGU) Departure Transfer: $41
- Toluca Int Airport (TLC) to Toluca - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
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:
- Villard Winery with exclusive guide + Premium Transfer: $220
- Transfer in/out cruise to/from Santiago plus tour Valparaiso: $135
- Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago: $83
- Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $100
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Viña del Mar by Car: $140
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
- Transfer Private Airport SCL to Hotels and Airbnb in Santiago: $60
- Transfer From Portillo Ski center to Santiago Airport or Hotel: $97
- Tour to Santiago and Valparaiso with Transfers included: $150
- TRANSFER TRANSFER AIRPORT-VIÑA DEL MAR VALPARAISO: $190
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $42
- Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Mexico City or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Mexico City 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 dayMexico City $47Santiago $23
Typical Food Prices in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$13
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Coffee and Snacks$4.60
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Dinner for 2$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mexico City Coyoacan Food Tour & Optional Frida Kahlo Museum: $20
- Private Street Food Tour Mexico City - Best rated: $35
- Cable Car, Cultural Spaces, and Traditional Food Tour: $40
- Polanco Food Tour: 5 Tastings, Tacos, Mezcal & Churros: $49
- Veracruz and Boca del Rio Food Tour with Mangroves Boat Trip: $50
- Virtual Mexican Cooking Class (private and personalized): $50
- Tortilla Crawl: Food Tour in Mexico City: $55
- Coyoacan Market Food Tour Urban Eats & Local Legends: $55
- San Juan Market Food Tour Exotic Bites & Flavors: $55
- Mexico : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $58
- Street Food Tour in Mexico with a Local Guide: $61
- Local Markets & Food Tour in Mexico City: $63
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.
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Mercado Meals Santiago Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
- 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
- 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
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $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.Mexico City $15Santiago $48
Tours and Activities in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- MUCHO Museum of Chocolate Entrance Ticket: $4.65
- Mexico City Coyoacan Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- A Tour through the Guadalupe Basilica Grounds: $5.96
- Mexico City Self-Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Hidden Gems of Exploration Game and Tour: $6.58
- Mexico City Walking Tour 2h40 and 24 audio reviews: $7.21
- Mexico City Jewish History Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Mexico City Self-Guided Walking Tour Aztec Legacy Audio and Quiz: $8.20
- Night Tour of Mexico City Panoramic Ride on a Double-Decker Bus: $10
- Night City Tour in a Double Decker Bus: $10
- KidZania Santa Fe Entrance Ticket: $12
- KidZania Cuicuilco Entrance Ticket: $12
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
- 1 Day Undurraga Vineyard Tour 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): $290
- An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $60
- Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & El Morado Lodge and Spa: $147
- Andean Tour: $200
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Mountains Tour From Santiago with Appetizer: $180
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMexico City $20Santiago $8.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Mexico City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:
- CDMX Pub Crawl: Guided Pub Crawl with Party Games: $24
- Mexico City Pub Crawl: $26
- THE MEXICO CITY PUB CRAWL: A real chilango night: $35
- Make Your Own Tequila or Mezcal with Distillery and Cocktails: $95
- Zona Rosa Pub Crawl Experience: $100
- Visit a mead distillery in Tlaxcala: $119
- Mexican Wine Tasting with Food Pairing: $126
- Distillery Tour and Lucha Libre Spirits and Showdown: $128
- Full Day Harvest Season Wine Tour & Grape Stomping Tequisquiapan: $136
- Private Cheese and Wine Tour to Queretaro: $511
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
- Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $27
- 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
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- Concha y Toro Tour with Wine Tasting and Transport: $87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mexico City and Santiago, we can see that Mexico City is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mexico City is in North America 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 Mexico City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mexico City 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 Mexico City Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mexico City or Santiago?
Mexico City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Mexico City 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.