Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Rotterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Rotterdam or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Rotterdam and Santiago. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Rotterdam or Santiago?
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. It's famously known as a city of architecture. In a few square kilometers of the city center you can get a complete overview of twentieth century architecture within Rotterdam.
Rotterdam is a very diverse, international, and hard working city. Nearly half of the city's population is not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent from outside the country. Muslim's make up a significant portion of the population. Other area's represented include Cape Verde and the Dutch Antilles.
There's an air of optimism that permeates the entire city. There are frequent events, festivals and performances, making Rotterdam an enjoyable place to spend some time. Water is also an integral part of the city design.
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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
-
Rotterdam Prices
Netherlands PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRotterdam €191Santiago €134
The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is €191, 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 Rotterdam and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRotterdam €82Santiago €97
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRotterdam €164Santiago €194
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rotterdam €26Santiago €4.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam
Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Madurodam: Train + tram transferring to/from Rotterdam: $10
- Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam in Sedan Car: $87
- Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM in Sedan Car: $87
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Port to Rotterdam Airport (RTM): $87
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $87
- Rotterdam Airport RTM Private Transfer to Rotterdam by Luxury Van: $94
- Rotterdam Private Transfer to Rotterdam Airport RTM by Luxury Van: $94
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to IJmuiden Port: $132
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam hotels to IJmuiden Cruise Port: $132
- Rotterdam Airport(RTM) to Rotterdam - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Private Transfer from Cruise Port Rotterdam to Amsterdam: $168
- Private Transfer From Cruise Port Rotterdam to Schiphol Airport: $168
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 Rotterdam or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Rotterdam 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 dayRotterdam €89Santiago €20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam
For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pizza Cruise: $46
- Rotterdam Food Tour: Taste The Alternative Side Of The City: $79
- Guided Food Tour: $80
- Historic Delfshaven: Lunch or Dinner with a Private Chef: $87
- Iconic Rotterdam Food Tour: 7 Local Dishes with a Guide: $100
- Food Tour by Bike: $104
- Guided Walking Food Tour: $104
- Rotterdam Walking Food Tour with Delicious Tastings: $105
- Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $129
- Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $175
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.Rotterdam €31Santiago €42
Tours and Activities in Rotterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.
- Rotterdam 2-Hour Walking Tour | Discover The City With A Local: $3.52
- Rotterdam Self Guided Highlights and Hidden Gems Walking Tour: $3.53
- Breda Fun Puzzle Quest: True Lord Self-Guided Tour: $5.87
- Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.88
- Risen from Ruins Self Guided Tour of Rotterdam: $6.29
- Rotterdam Highlights & Spies: Exploration Game & Tour: $7.40
- Windmills and Dutch Ingenuity: A Kinderdijk Audio Walking Tour: $8.99
- Team Up for a Playful Tour of Rotterdam: $12
- Rotterdam Walking Tour with Audio Guide on Your Smartphone: $12
- Rotterdam's Highlights and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Dordrecht: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Holland's Oldest City: $12
- Self-Guided Walking Tour of Gouda: Canals, Colonies, and Cheese: $12
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 dayRotterdam €19Santiago €7.48
Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:
- Beer Brewery 'Noordt' Beer Tasting: $9.31
- Brewery Noordt Tour Including Two Beers: $20
- Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $26
- The Ultimate Rotterdam Bar Crawl Experience: $41
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $52
- Ludwig's Private Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $576
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 Rotterdam and Santiago, we can see that Rotterdam is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Rotterdam. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Rotterdam or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Rotterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Rotterdam because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Rotterdam is generally cooler than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Rotterdam usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRotterdam 17°C (62°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Santiago. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.
Rotterdam is cooler than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.
In October, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilRotterdam 11°C (51°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Santiago. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rotterdam. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.
Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Santiagoin July. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyRotterdam 2°C (36°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the spring for the activities around the city.
In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In April, Rotterdam usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberRotterdam 8°C (46°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Rotterdam
| Rotterdam | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.