Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Podgorica?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Podgorica or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Podgorica or Santiago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Podgorica or Santiago?
Podgorica
Podgorica is Montenegro's capital city, and also its largest. Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, World War II destroyed much of this history, but there are a few Turkish remnants worth visiting. Podgorica's central location often makes the city a good starting point for day trips to coastal cities or mountain resorts.
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 Budget Tours to Montenegro, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Montenegro, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPodgorica €105Santiago €133
The average daily cost (per person) in Podgorica is €105, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €133. 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 Podgorica and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPodgorica €46Santiago €103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPodgorica €92Santiago €206
Compare Hotels in Podgorica and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Podgorica 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: Podgorica Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Podgorica €20Santiago €5.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Podgorica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Podgorica:
- Transfer Podgorica city center- Podgorica Airport: $22
- Private transfer from Podgorica airport to Podgorica city: $26
- Private Transfer: Podgorica Airport TGD to Podgorica in Sedan Car: $34
- Private Transfer to Budva: $39
- Private Transfer: Podgorica to TGD Airport in Business Car: $41
- Podgorica Airport (TGD) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Private Transfer from Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port: $47
- Podgorica hotels to Kotor Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Private transfer to Tivat: $54
- Private transfer to Kotor: $54
- From One-Way Private Transfer to/from Virpazar: $57
- Podgorica airport: Private Transfer to/from Budva: $75
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€1.06
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Private Departure Transfer from Santiago- Santiago Airport (SCL): $27
- Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $35
- From Farellones Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $39
- Private Transfer between Santiago and the Airport: $51
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
- Transfer Privado Entre Santiago Y El Aeropuerto: $52
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Podgorica or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Podgorica 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 dayPodgorica €41Santiago €12
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada€1.77
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Hamburger€2.35
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Dinner€24
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Podgorica €21Santiago €44
Tours and Activities in Podgorica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Podgorica are as follows:
- Skip The Line: National Park Skadar Lake - Tickets: $8.23
- Skadar lake - Falcon kayak tour: $13
- Boat Cruise Viktor Skadar LakeVirpazar Kom MonasteryVirpazar: $14
- Lake Skadar Grmozur Fortress and Monastery Cruise: $16
- Lake Skadar: Guided Sightseeing Boat Tour with Refreshments: $16
- Two Hours Sightseeing Lake Cruise at Montenegro National Park: $16
- Lake Skadar: Guided Panoramic Boat Tour to Kom Monastery : $22
- Podgorica City Walking Tour: $22
- From Virpazar: Guided Lake Skadar cruise and Crnojevića River: $33
- Book Your Tour Podgorica by walk: $36
- Book Your Tour Ostrog Monastery: $66
- Walking tour, all the secrets of Podgorica: $75
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- La Paz from the Heights: Down hill Walking tour & Cable Cars: $12
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- Walking tour through Santiago: $26
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
- The Essentials City Tour & Optional Concha y Toro: $30
- Half Day tradicional city Tour: $30
- TOUR PANORAMICO VALLE NEVADO Y FARELLONES: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPodgorica €20Santiago €7.90
Sample the Local Flavors in Podgorica
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Podgorica:
- Private Wine Tasting Activity at Lipovac Winery: $27
- Book Your Wine Tour: $78
- Podgorica Car Trip - Architecture, History, Wine tasting, Churches, Doclea city: $98
- Wine tasting in the family winery, feel the spirit: $121
- Montenegro: Nature, Locals & Wine Tour: $129
- Full Day Private Podgorica Wine Tour Experience: $159
- Skadar lake boat ride through "Montenegrin Amazon", wine tasting & Niagara falls: $197
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 Podgorica and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Podgorica much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Podgorica 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 Podgorica would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Podgorica 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 Podgorica.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Podgorica Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Podgorica or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Podgorica. When comparing the sizes of Podgorica 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 Podgorica 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 Podgorica has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Podgorica or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Podgorica are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Podgorica is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Podgorica in July average around 26°C (80°F), and Santiago averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
In July, Podgorica usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Podgorica gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPodgorica 26°C (80°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Podgorica or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Podgorica during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Podgorica is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin April. Daily temperatures in Podgorica average around 17°C (63°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Podgorica. Podgorica usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Podgorica gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPodgorica 17°C (63°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Podgorica or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Podgorica and Santiago.
Podgorica is much colder than Santiago in the winter. The daily temperature in Podgorica averages around 6°C (42°F) in January, and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F)in July.
Podgorica gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Podgorica usually receives more rain than Santiagoin July. Podgorica gets 192 mm (7.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPodgorica 6°C (42°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Podgorica or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Podgorica as well as Santiago.
In the spring, Podgorica is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Podgorica in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in October.
Podgorica receives a lot of rain in the spring. Podgorica usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Podgorica gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPodgorica 14°C (58°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Podgorica
| Podgorica | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 159 mm (6.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (80°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (53°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 217 mm (8.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
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.