Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Salvador?
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 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
-
Salvador Prices
Brazil PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalvador $54Santiago $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $54, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $161. 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
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Santiago $117
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Santiago $234
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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.11Santiago $5.81
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
-
Bus from Airport$1.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $17
- Salvador Airport Transfer to Salvador City Hotels: $26
- Shared Transfer - North Coast: $26
- Private Transfer Airport/Hotels in Salvador: $26
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $29
- Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $29
- Private Transfer Salvador: $30
- Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador: $31
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $37
- Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $39
- Round trip transfer, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
-
Metro Ride$1.21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
- Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $106
- Airport Transfer: Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $106
- City Tour Santiago with Exclusive Guide + Private Transfer: $270
- City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
- Cruise Ship Transfer to Valparaiso Port with 6 Hour tour + Winery: $89
- Departure Transfer Santiago de Chile to Santiago Airport SCL: $82
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $106
- From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
- Private 15-Passenger Premium Transfer – Santiago to Valparaíso: $149
- Private Airport Transfer Santiago Arrival or Departure 4pax SUV: $65
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
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
-
Food Meals for one daySalvador $23Santiago $24
Typical Food Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
-
Dinner for 2$1.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- Enjoy before flying: Cooking class near Salvador airport: $50
- Eat and drink before you fly: Cooking class near Salvador airport: $50
- 4h Cooking Class in Salvador with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $65
- 4h Cooking Class in 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $68
- Cooking class in Salvador, fun hands on experience with caips: $71
- Traditional Moqueca Cooking Class: $75
- Savour Salvador Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $75
- Bahia Bites Salvador Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $79
- Bahia Bites Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $80
- Brazilian Cooking Class with Unlimited Caipirinhas: $89
- Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $105
- Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $121
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
-
Empanada$2.02
-
Hamburger$2.69
-
Dinner$28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
- Lastarria Food Tour: Wine Tasting, Bites & Culinary Experience: $109
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salvador $5.76Santiago $51
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $4.55
- City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $20
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $20
- City Tour Salvador Historica: $20
- City Tour Salvador Panoramic: $20
- Beyond a Night Tour: An Autentic Bar Experience in Salvador: $22
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $24
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $24
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Historical City Center Tour: $25
- Panoramic City Tour in Salvador: $25
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
- Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
- Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
- Guided Walking Tour through the Historic Center: $29
- La Moneda Palace, Plaza de Armas & Historic Santiago Walking Tour: $29
- Andes Snow Experience Farellones Valle Nevado and from Santiago: $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySalvador $5.47Santiago $9.02
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
-
Beers for 2$1.39
-
Drinks$2.78
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $27
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
- "Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Official english: $45
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
- Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile: $77
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
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. Many travelers come to Salvador for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
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. September to February in Salvador is the dry season. Also, March to August is the rainy season in Salvador.
-
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. Many visitors come to Salvador in the autumn for the shopping scene.
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.
-
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. Most visitors come to Salvador for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
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. The dry season in Salvador is September to February. The rainy season in Salvador is March to August.
-
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. The spring months attract visitors to Salvador because of the beaches.
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.
-
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.