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

Should you visit Nagano 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 Nagano 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: Nagano or Santiago?

Nagano

Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Nagano?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nagano is $90, 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 Nagano and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nagano $61
    Santiago $111
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nagano $122
    Santiago $222
Compare Hotels in Nagano and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Nagano 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 Nagano


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: Nagano Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nagano $9.80
    Santiago $5.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagano

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

  • Private Transfer Between Station & Snow Monkey Park: $687

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    $1.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $539
  • Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
  • Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
  • Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Valparaíso: $273
  • 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 Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Viña del Mar: $237
  • City Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $234
  • Transfer Santiago - Valparaíso: $210

Is it cheaper to fly into Nagano or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Nagano 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
    Nagano $22
    Santiago $13

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.91
  • Hamburger
    $2.54
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nagano $8.17
    Santiago $48

Tours and Activities in Nagano

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

  • Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour: $49
  • Welcome to Private Tour with a Local: $55
  • Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano: $88
  • Izakaya Food Night Tour in Nagano: $101
  • Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley: $183
  • Snow Monkey & ZinkoJi With Sake Tasting Private Tour: $556
  • 4 Day - From Nagano to Kanazawa: Ultimate Central Japan tour: $809
  • Private Snow Monkey Tour: From Nagano City / Ski Resorts: $1,381

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nagano -
    Santiago $8.51

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
  • Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145


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

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


Which is Bigger, Nagano or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Nagano 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 Nagano or Santiago?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Santiago is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nagano has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Nagano or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Nagano during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.

Nagano is a little warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. Nagano usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Nagano gets 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Nagano 25°C (77°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Nagano or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nagano and Santiago. Many travelers come to Nagano for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nagano is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nagano in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

Nagano gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nagano usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Nagano gets 227 mm (9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Nagano 16°C (60°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Nagano or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nagano as well as Santiago. Many visitors come to Nagano in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nagano can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Nagano is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Nagano average around 2°C (36°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nagano usually gets more rain in January than Santiagoin July. Nagano gets 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Nagano 2°C (36°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Nagano or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Nagano are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Nagano is cooler than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Nagano averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

In April, Nagano usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Nagano gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Nagano 11°C (52°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Nagano

Nagano Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 2°C (36°F) 446 mm (17.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 275 mm (10.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 5°C (40°F) 191 mm (7.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 16°C (62°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 152 mm (6 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 222 mm (8.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 26°C (80°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 232 mm (9.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 227 mm (9 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 10°C (50°F) 339 mm (13.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 5°C (41°F) 440 mm (17.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)