A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montevideo vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montevideo 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 Montevideo 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: Montevideo or Santiago?

Montevideo

As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.

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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Montevideo Prices
    Uruguay Prices
    Santiago Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montevideo $65
    Santiago $146

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $65, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $146. 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 Montevideo and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $35
    Santiago $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $70
    Santiago $212
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo 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.

Hotels in Montevideo


Hotels in Santiago


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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $6.51
    Santiago $5.23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

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

  • Transfer in private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo City: $20
  • Montevideo Airport Transfers: $33
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Roundtrip transfer private vehicle from Montevideo Airport (MVD) -Montevideo: $40
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • MVD Airport Private Transfer to Montevideo City Center: $48
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $52
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $52
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $52
  • Transfer from the Hotel in Montevideo to Montevideo airport: $60
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $85
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Cruise Port to Montevideo city: $102

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    $1.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $467
  • Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
  • Private Transfer Round trip From the Airport to Valle Nevado : $299
  • Santiago de Chile : private transfer in SUV to Viña del mar or Valparaíso: $280
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
  • from Santiago airport private arrival transfer to the Valparaiso pier: $251
  • Transfer To Valle Nevado Private for small groups: $250
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250
  • Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $243
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to San Antonio: $232
  • Private Transfer: From Santiago Airport to Valparaiso: $220
  • Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $220

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Montevideo 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
    Montevideo $21
    Santiago $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
  • Show + Dinner - El Milongon (No Transport): $86
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $93
  • Montevideo Private Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $95

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    $1.82
  • Hamburger
    $2.42
  • Dinner
    $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.

  • Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $75
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $112
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $158
  • Night Tour of the Devil's Locker with Dinner in Shell and Bull: $172
  • Casillero del Diablo Night Tour with Dinner in Concha y Toro: $172
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
  • Chilean Folklore Show and Dinner with Private Transport: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $18
    Santiago $46

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
  • Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
  • Tourist Bus Discover Montevideo: $25
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour in Montevideo: $25
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
  • City tour Montevideo: $27
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $28
  • Afternoon Tea Experience at Sofitel Montevideo Carrasco & Spa: $29
  • Montevideo : Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A Guide: $29
  • Tour of Montevideo for cruiseships small groups.: $30

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
  • Farellones & Valle Nevado Group Tour: $100
  • Tour Tasting Colchagua Valley: $300
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $24
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $24
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $10
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $10
  • 6 Hour Tour of Culture, History and Flavors from Santiago: $75
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago : $230
  • An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Santiago $8.13

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $103
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $215
  • Wine Tasting Tour for Cruise Passengers: $450

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $24
  • Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
  • "Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $37
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $55
  • Concha y Toro Full Master Edition: Wine Tasting Included: $56
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $58
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile: $77
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Concha y Toro | City tour Santiago & Concha y Toro Wine tour: $80


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Montevideo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Montevideo. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo 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 Montevideo 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 Montevideo or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Montevideo during the summer are popular places to visit.

In January, Montevideo is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 24°C (75°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Montevideo usually gets more rain in January than Santiago. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Santiago.

Montevideo is a little warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Santiago. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Santiago.

In the winter, Montevideo is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montevideo in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Montevideo usually gets less rain in July than Santiago. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Montevideo 11°C (52°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Montevideo or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In October, Montevideo is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 17°C (63°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In October, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Santiago. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Montevideo

Montevideo Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)