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

Should you visit Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro 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: Rio de Janeiro or Santiago?

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.

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 Luxury Tours to Brazil, The Best Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Rio de Janeiro?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $108, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $139. 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 Rio de Janeiro and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rio de Janeiro $68
    Santiago $108
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rio de Janeiro $136
    Santiago $216
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro


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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $8.15
    Santiago $5.29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (GIG): $13
  • Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $16
  • Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $16
  • Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $18
  • Transfer in Private Minivan from Rio de Janeiro City Center -Airport (SDU): $19
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU) - Rio City Center: $19
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
  • Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $19
  • Transfer service from / to Porto Maravilha - Zona Sul: $19
  • One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $20
  • Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): $22
  • Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) to Rio de Janeiro: $22

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    $1.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
  • Departure Private Transfer Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in a Luxury Van: $71
  • Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
  • From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $73
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $167
  • Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago: $55
  • Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $55
  • Private Santiago Hotel or Airport Arrival Transfer to Viña del Mar or Valparaiso: $95
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
  • Private Transfer From or To (SCL) Santiago International Airport : $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Rio de Janeiro 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
    Rio de Janeiro $21
    Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:


  • Popcorn
    $0.60
  • Corn on the Cob
    $0.80
  • Hamburger
    $1.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.

  • Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $47
  • Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $74
  • 9-Recipes Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class with Market Tour: $85
  • Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
  • 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
  • Copacabana Local Street Bars Food Tour: $93
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local - All Included: $99
  • Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $107
  • Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $114
  • Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
  • Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
  • Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.84
  • Hamburger
    $2.45
  • Dinner
    $25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

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

  • Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
  • Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $97
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
  • 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
  • Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rio de Janeiro $22
    Santiago $46

Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $5.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
  • Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.80
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.80
  • Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.96
  • Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.96
  • Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.96
  • Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
  • Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $10
  • Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10

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
  • Official Tour of Santiago Cathedral: $9.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Santiago Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $15
  • Undurraga Sibaris Tour Ticket: $22
  • Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
  • Walking tour through Santiago: $26
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide in Santiago de Chile: $33
  • Viña Del Mar, Valparaiso, Casablanca & Reñaca Tour: $34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rio de Janeiro $12
    Santiago $8.21

Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:

  • Pub Crawl in Lapa: $30
  • Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
  • Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
  • Walking tour + Pub crawl in Lapa: $42
  • Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $58
  • Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
  • Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
  • Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $134

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
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
  • Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile: $77
  • From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
  • Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
  • half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
  • From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99


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

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


Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Santiago?

Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro or Santiago?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Santiago.

In January, Rio de Janeiro is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 26°C (79°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Santiago. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Rio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Santiago.

Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in April than Santiago. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Rio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In the winter, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Santiago. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Rio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Rio de Janeiro during the spring are popular places to visit.

In October, Rio de Janeiro is generally much warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 23°C (73°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in October than Santiago. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Rio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 27°C (81°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 23°C (73°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 169 mm (6.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)