Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salvador or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador 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: Salvador or Santiago?
Salvador
Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.
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 Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, 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 daySalvador $44Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, 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 Salvador and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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: Salvador Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.02Santiago $5.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
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Bus from Airport$1.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $16
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
- Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $23
- Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $23
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $23
- Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $28
- Private Transfer from Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port to Salvador : $29
- Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer from Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador Port: $30
- Executive Transfer - Salvador International Airport to Hotels or Residencia: $31
- Salavador, Brazil: Private Airport Transfer From/To Hotel: $41
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:
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car: $67
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $84
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $71
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- 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 The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Salvador 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 daySalvador $13Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
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Dinner for 2$1.37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $113
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $132
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
- Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $152
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
- 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
- Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.67Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.66
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $7.85
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $12
- Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $21
- Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $23
- Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
- Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
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 Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- La Paz from the Heights: Walking tour and Three Telefericos.: $20
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $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
- History Walking Tour in Chile: $29
- Half Day tradicional city Tour: $30
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.38Santiago $8.41
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
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Beers for 2$1.37
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Drinks$2.74
Sample the Local Flavors in Salvador
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salvador:
- Tropical Night Samba Drinks Pub crawl in Salvador: $105
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 Salvador and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salvador would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salvador 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 Salvador.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salvador or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Salvador. When comparing the sizes of Salvador 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 Salvador 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 Salvador or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Santiago.
In January, Salvador is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives more rain than Santiago. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 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 JanuarySalvador 27°C (81°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Santiago.
Salvador is much warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than Santiago. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 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 AprilSalvador 26°C (80°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Salvador are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In the winter, Salvador is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).
It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than Santiago. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 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 JulySalvador 24°C (75°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit.
In October, Salvador is generally much warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than Santiago. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 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 OctoberSalvador 26°C (78°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Salvador
| Salvador | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 310 mm (12.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 143 mm (5.6 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.