Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg 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: Saint Petersburg or Santiago?
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.
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 Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Saint Petersburg and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg 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: Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Santiago $5.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes$1.34
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$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santiago APT-HTL (SCL): $51
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Santiago Airport (SCL) - Santiago de Chile City: $49
- Transfer from or to the airport in Santiago, Chile: $60
- Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago: $83
- Transfer from Santiago to Portillo Ski Center: $160
- Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $83
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Transfer Santiago Airport to the commune of Providencia: $56
- Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
- Transfer Santiago - Valparaíso: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Saint Petersburg 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 daySaint Petersburg $18Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.61
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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Hamburger$2.50
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Dinner$26
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: $92
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $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
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- 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
- Andean Tour: $158
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
- Andes Sunset: shared tour with Asado in the mountain: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Santiago $8.41
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
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- 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
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Saint Petersburg. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Santiago.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit.
It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Santiagoin July. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Santiago.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 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.