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

Should you visit Paris or Santiago?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Paris 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: Paris or Santiago?

Paris

Paris is a dream destination for many people. It's location on the river Seine contributes to its stunning beauty and you can spend many days wandering through its wonderfully diverse neighborhoods. It's known as a city of culture, fashion, food and fun. There is never a shortage of entertainment and activities around town and a highlight of many people's trips to Paris is to explore the city at night, when it truly comes to life. It is not hard to see why this city has received the nickname as the "City of Lights."

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 Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Paris?

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

  • Paris Prices
    France Prices
    Santiago Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Paris 265
    Santiago 134

The average daily cost (per person) in Paris is €265, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €134. 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 Paris and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Paris 153
    Santiago 97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Paris 306
    Santiago 194
Compare Hotels in Paris and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Paris 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 Paris


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: Paris Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Paris 21
    Santiago 4.82
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Paris are as follows:


  • Metro
    6.40
  • Train from Airport
    9.00
  • Metro tickets
    6.80
  • Train
    20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paris

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

  • Private round trip transfer from/to Paris airports: $24
  • Private transfer from/to CDG, ORLY airports DISNEYLAND: $24
  • McArthurGlen Paris-Giverny Designer Outlet transfer from Paris: $34
  • Private Transfer Service in Paris – Select Your Route: $40
  • Notre Dame Interior and Exterior tour with Optional transfer: $41
  • CDG/ORY Airport Private Transfer to/from Paris City Center: $45
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Paris Train Station to Hotel: $45
  • Transfer From/To Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG): $48
  • CDG Airport Private Transfer ⇄ City Center/Disneyland: $48
  • ORY Airport Private Transfer ⇄ City Center/Disneyland: $48
  • Paris Private Arrival Transfer: Railway Station to Hotel: $48
  • Shuttle Arrival Transfer from Paris Airport to Hotel/ Apartment: $51

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    1.01

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $467
  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Private Transfer to Ski Centers: $299
  • Santiago de Chile: Private Transfer to San Antonio / Port: $270
  • Private Transfer to Sewell UNESCO Andes Town Tour with Lunch: $269
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
  • Private cruise transfer: Puerto San Antonio or Valparaíso ↔ Santiago: $260
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to San Antonio: $255
  • Private Transfer Santiago Airport SCL to Vina Concon Valparaiso: $250
  • Private Santiago, Visit Concha y Toro Winery and Transfer: $250
  • Portillo and Laguna Del Inca, Exclusive Guide and Private Transfer: $250
  • Private Transfer San Antonio Cruise from Santiago to Valparaiso: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Paris or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Paris 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
    Paris 72
    Santiago 20
Typical Food Prices in Paris

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Paris:


  • Ice Cream
    8.00
  • Breakfast
    7.00
  • Breakfast for 2
    30
  • Dinner on River Cruise
    86
  • Dinner
    57
  • Cheese
    13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Paris

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

  • Paris Marais Walking Food Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $7.63
  • Paris Capitaine Fracasse 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $67
  • Seine River Cruise and Dinner at Traditional Parisian Restaurant: $75
  • Award Winning Paris Secret Food Tour with Cheese, Wines & Stories: $76
  • Paris en Scene 3 Course Seine River Dinner Cruise: $76
  • Authentic Indian Dinner in Paris: $76
  • Paris Food Tour: $81
  • Seine River Sightseeing Cruise and Dinner at Le Bistro Parisien: $84
  • St Germain Food Tour with 10+ French Delicacies Tastings: $86
  • Paris Bakery Food Tour: Chocolate, Macarons and 10 Sweet Tastings: $87
  • Paris Guided Food Tour by Bike - Ile de la Cité and Marais: $93
  • 2 Hour Paris Centre Food Tour with 4 Tastings & Fine Wine: $94

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    1.68
  • Hamburger
    2.23
  • Dinner
    23

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
  • Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $58
  • 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 Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Paris 76
    Santiago 42
Typical Entertainment Prices in Paris

For Paris, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Louvre Entry for Two
    18
  • Admission to Pantheon
    5.00
  • Catacombs (2)
    23

Tours and Activities in Paris

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

  • Paris Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $2.35
  • Free Perfume Museum & Opera District Tour in English: $2.81
  • Paris City Center Free Walking Tour (Tip-Based): $2.81
  • Paris - Latin Quarter Free Tour in English (Tip-Based): $3.29
  • Montmartre Walking Tour: Artists & the Soul of Paris: $3.52
  • Paris Hidden Gems: Self Guided Secret Spots Tour: $3.52
  • Montmartre in Depth Art History and Bohemian Life Tour: $3.52
  • Paris Notre-Dame Tour with Scheduled Group Access: $3.53
  • Rude Bastards Tour of Paris: $4.69
  • Paris Time Machine: Hidden Gems Walking Tour (Tips-Based): $4.70
  • Louvre Museum, Self Guided Video Tour: $5.00
  • Marais Walk Self Guided Audio Tour: $5.29

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
  • 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
  • 1 Day Valparaiso and Vina del Mar Tour from Santiago: $51
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $30
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
  • Adventure in Portillo: Laguna del Inca and Mountain Picnic: $100
  • All Santiago in One Day: Private Guided Tour: $250
  • An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $60
  • Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & El Morado Lodge and Spa: $147
  • Andes Day Lagoon in Cajón del Maipo & Embalse el Yeso Private Tour: $270
  • Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Paris 24
    Santiago 7.48
Typical Alcohol Prices in Paris

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Paris are as follows:


  • Wine
    14

Sample the Local Flavors in Paris

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Paris:

  • The Original Pub Crawl + Free Shots + VIP Club Entry: $20
  • Paris City Center Guided Pub Crawl With Shots & Club Entry: $21
  • Paris Pub Crawl : Bars with Club Entry and Shots: $29
  • Paris International Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Fun Games: $29
  • Paris Guided Pub Crawl with Bars Shots and Club Entry: $32
  • Visit and tasting at the distillery L'Alambic Parisien: $33
  • Paris Gin Craft Distillery Tour and Tasting: $35
  • Guided Tour of Montmartre with Cheese and Wine Tasting: $42
  • Paris A burlesque cabaret in a former brothel: $44
  • Vegan Wine Tasting in Paris right next to Père Lachaise: $53
  • Wine Tasting in Paris right next to Père Lachaise & l'Atelier des lumières: $53
  • Wine tasting Paris Saint Germain des Pres: $55

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
  • Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
  • Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
  • Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $27
  • "Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Official english: $45
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $55
  • 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
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Paris and Santiago, we can see that Paris is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Paris is in Europe 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 Paris would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Paris 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 Paris Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Paris or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Paris. When comparing the sizes of Paris 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 Paris 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 Paris has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Paris or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Paris during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Paris for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Paris is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Paris in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.

Paris usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Paris gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Paris 20°C (68°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Paris or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Paris and Santiago. The autumn months attract visitors to Paris because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Paris is generally cooler than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Paris average around 13°C (56°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In October, Paris usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Paris 13°C (56°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Paris or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Paris as well as Santiago. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Paris this time of year.

It's quite cold in Paris in the winter. Paris is much colder than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Paris averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.

Paris usually gets less rain in January than Santiagoin July. Paris gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Paris 5°C (40°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Paris or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Paris are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Paris for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Paris is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Paris in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.

In April, Paris usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Paris gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Santiago and Paris

Paris Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)