Which place is cheaper, Boston or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Santiago or Boston?
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 Santiago and Boston. 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: Santiago or Boston?
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.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
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Santiago Prices
Chile PricesBoston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $155Boston $291
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $155, while the average daily cost in Boston is $291. 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 Santiago and Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $113Boston $166
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $226Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Boston? 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 and Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.56Boston $37
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$1.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Transfer to/from Santiago Airport (SCL): $15
- Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago: $34
- Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
- Santiago de Chile Airport Transfer: $40
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $42
- Private Transfer from Airport to Santiago, Chile: $43
- Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $43
- Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $43
- Farellones Full Day Roundtrip Transfer: $47
- Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS: $28
- BOS Airport Private Transfer to/from Boston Downtown: $37
- Boston to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Manchester–Boston Regional Airport to Manchester - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Manchester to Manchester–Boston Regional Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Private Transfer from Flynn Cruise Port to Boston Airport (BOS): $79
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $85
- Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $92
- Flynn Cruise Port to Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS)- Departure Private Transfer: $92
- Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS: $101
- Private Transfer from Boston City to Boston (BOS) Airport: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston and Santiago 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 daySantiago $23Boston $86
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.94
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Hamburger$2.57
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Dinner$27
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: $56
- Mercado Meals Santiago Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $98
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- Self-Guided "The North End Pizza, Cannoli and Picnic" Tour: $5.50
- Morning Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Freedom Trail History and Food Tour: $39
- Boston Food Tour: Pizza & North End Italian Classics: $69
- Boston’s North End Food Tour: Italian Flavors and Heritage Walk: $70
- Harvard Square French Fry and Pairings Food Tour: $73
- 2-Hour North End Food Tour with Chowder & Pizza: $74
- North End & Little Italy Food Tour with Local Dishes: $74
- Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour: $75
- City Cruises Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $79
- Boston Seafood Tour: Behind the Scenes at the Historic Fish Pier: $81
- Boston North End Food Tour with Authentic Local Flavors & Dishes: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $49Boston $33
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $11
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $11
- Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
- Tour of Santiago with Professional Photography: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $27
- City Tour Santiago - Walking Tour: $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- Boston Highlights: Self‑Guided Walking Tour: $1.06
- Boston Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.49
- Harvard’s Secret Society: Exploration Game and Tour: $4.93
- 2 Hour Boston Historical and Heritage Walking Tour: $5.00
- The Ghosts of Boston's Past Haunted Self-guided Tour: $5.00
- App-Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Walking Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Boston North End: $5.75
- Boston Freedom Trail Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.83
- Boston Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- North End Boston Mafia Exploration Game and Tour: $6.29
- Harvard's Haunts Solo Smart Phone Guided App Ghost Walking Tour: $7.75
- Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour: $7.75
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.64Boston $27
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: $59
- Wine Tasting + Cheeseboard + Gypsum Reservoir: $60
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Amazing Bar Crawl: Boston Back Bay Beat: $15
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $35
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $36
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $50
- DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery: $55
- Boston Freedom Trail History Pub Crawl Small-Group Tour: $60
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Distillery in Boston: $75
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston: $75
- DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santiago is in South America and Boston is in North 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Santiago Expensive? and Is Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Boston?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Boston, 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 Santiago or Boston?
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 Boston has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Santiago or Boston in the Summer?
Both Boston and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
In January, Santiago is generally around the same temperature as Bostonin July. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 21°C (70°F), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In January, Santiago usually receives less rain than Bostonin July. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySantiago 21°C (70°F)Boston 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Santiago or Boston in the Autumn?
Both Boston and Santiago during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Santiago is a little warmer than Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C)in October.
Santiago usually gets less rain in April than Bostonin October. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)Boston 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Santiago or Boston in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Boston. Furthermore, many visitors come to Boston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Boston can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Santiago is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santiago in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C)in January.
In July, Santiago usually receives less rain than Bostonin January. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySantiago 9°C (48°F)Boston 29°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Santiago or Boston in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Boston. Additionally, most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In October, Santiago is generally much warmer than Bostonin April. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 15°C (59°F), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
Santiago usually gets less rain in October than Bostonin April. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)Boston 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Boston and Santiago
| Santiago | Boston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
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.