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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to 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 $150Boston $291
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $150, 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 $109Boston $166
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $218Boston $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 $5.41Boston $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$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Santiago Airport (SCL) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $18
- Santiago de Chile Airport Private Transfer: $25
- Official Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $27
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
- Airport Private Transfer to/from Santiago de Chile: $40
- Transfer Santiago de Chile airport: $40
- Farellones Full Day Roundtrip Transfer: $40
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $41
- Private Transfer from Airport to Santiago, Chile : $43
- Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Transfer to Snowy Valley fullday for skiers : $49
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 Boston Downtown: $37
- Boston Logan Airport Chauffeur, Boston Airport private Transfer: $50
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- Boston Airport (BOS) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $70
- Manchester–Boston Regional Airport to Manchester - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Flynn Cruise Port to Boston Airport (BOS): $81
- Private Transfer from Boston Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port: $82
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $85
- Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $94
- Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS: $97
- Private Transfer from Boston (BOS) Airport to Boston City: $112
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$1.88
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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.
- 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
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $117
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
- Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184
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" Solo Walking Tour : $5.50
- Morning Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston Freedom Trail History and Food Tour: $39
- Freedom Trail History and Food Tour: $39
- Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour: $65
- Boston Pizza Lovers Food & History Walking Food Tour: $69
- North End Pizza Walking Tour with 3 Slices & Cannoli: $69
- 2-Hour Pasta Making Cooking Class With Local Chef in Boston: $75
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $75
- Pizza, Beer, and Paul Revere Tour: $75
- City Cruises Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $94
- Boston’s Politically Incorrect North End Food tour: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $47Boston $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: $9.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- Fantasilandia Theme Park Ticket with 40+ Rides: $23
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $24
- Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
- Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- San Joaquín Open-Air Market: "Experience the Authenticity of Popular Chile": $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
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:
- The Ghosts of Boston's Past Haunted Self-guided Tour: $5.00
- 2 Hour Boston Historical and Heritage Walking Tour: $5.00
- Self Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Audio/GPS Walking Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Boston North End: $5.75
- 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
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Salem: $7.75
- City History and Highlights Audio App Walking Tour: $7.99
- Boston's Old North Church Admission with Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.00
- Boston Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $8.32
- Harvard’s Secret Society: Exploration Game and Tour: $8.93
- Boston Harborwalk & Tea Party Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
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 $8.40Boston $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
- Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Boston Bar Crawl Back Bay Beat Bar Craw: $15
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $35
- 2 Hour Historic Pub Crawl in Boston: $35
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $36
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $36
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $56
- Boston Freedom Trail History Pub Crawl Small-Group Tour: $60
- Freedom Trail History Tour and Brewery Taste: $71
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston: $75
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Distillery 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.