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

Should you visit Salto or Santiago?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto 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: Salto or Santiago?

Salto

Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Salto?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $70, 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 Salto and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salto $30
    Santiago $110
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salto $60
    Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Salto and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Salto 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 Salto


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: Salto Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salto $21
    Santiago $5.39

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Santiago- Santiago Airport (SCL): $28
  • Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $71
  • Arrival Private Transfers : Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago in Business Car: $69
  • Arrival Private Transfers : Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago in Luxury Van: $86
  • Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
  • Departure Private Transfer Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in a Luxury Van: $71
  • Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car: $69
  • Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $86
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Salto 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
    Salto $24
    Santiago $13

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.88
  • Hamburger
    $2.49
  • 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: $50
  • Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $97
  • Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
  • Santiago City Sightseeing Small-Group Tour by Night Including Dinner: $109
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show Including Transport: $115
  • 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
  • Sunset Alyan + 6 wines + savory board + rustic dinner + dessert: $119
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salto $18
    Santiago $47

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
  • Santiago Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Official Tour of Santiago Cathedral: $9.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $15
  • Undurraga Sibaris Tour Ticket: $22
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
  • Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
  • Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
  • Walking tour through Santiago: $26
  • Small-Group Tour to Valle Nevado and Farellones from Santiago: $29
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salto $13
    Santiago $8.37

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: $44
  • Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $44
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $63
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $65
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $65
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $68
  • Private Tour: Santa Rita Vineyard with Wine Tastings: $72
  • 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


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

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


Which is Bigger, Salto or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Salto. When comparing the sizes of Salto 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 Salto 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 Salto or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Santiago.

In January, Salto is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 25°C (77°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Salto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salto usually receives more rain than Santiago. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Salto 25°C (77°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Salto or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salto as well as Santiago.

Salto is a little warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Salto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salto usually gets more rain in April than Santiago. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Salto 19°C (65°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Salto or Santiago in the Winter?

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

In the winter, Salto is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salto in July average around 12°C (54°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In July, Salto usually receives less rain than Santiago. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Salto 12°C (54°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Salto or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Salto during the spring are popular places to visit.

In October, Salto is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 18°C (64°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Salto. Salto usually gets more rain in October than Santiago. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Salto 18°C (64°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Salto

Salto Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (77°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 127 mm (5 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 22°C (71°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 12°C (54°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 20°C (69°F) 127 mm (5 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 23°C (74°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)