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

Should you visit Santiago or Crete?

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 Crete. 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 Crete?

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.

Crete

The largest and most populous island of Greece, Crete has become a frequent vacation destination for many visitors. The terrain of the place is quite varied - very mountainous stretching east to west, with lush valleys, fertile plateaus, gorges, and famous caves like Idaion, the birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. The surrounding smaller islands and beaches are key attractions as well.

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 Contiki Tours to Greece, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Crete or Santiago?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $154, while the average daily cost in Crete is $164. 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 Crete in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santiago $112
    Crete $62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santiago $224
    Crete $124
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Crete

Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Crete? 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 Santiago


Hotels in Crete


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santiago $5.55
    Crete $54
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    $1.16

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: $99
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $80
  • Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $99
  • City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
  • Cruise Ship Transfer to Valparaiso Port with 6 Hour tour + Winery: $89
  • Cruise Terminal Transfer from Valparaíso & Wine Tasting: $129
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $99
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
  • Portillo and Laguna Del Inca, Exclusive Guide and Private Transfer: $250
  • Private 15-Passenger Premium Airport Transfer – Santiago (SCL): $190

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Crete

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Crete:

  • One-Way Shared Transfer From or To Heraklion Air - Hersonissos: $18
  • Heraklion Airport: Shared Transfer To/From Rethymno: $18
  • Rethymno: Shared Transfer to/from Chania Airport: $19
  • One Way Shared Transfer From/To Heraklion Airport - Bali: $22
  • Shared Transfer to/from Airport-Georgioupolis/Kavros: $25
  • Acqua Plus Water Park Admission with Optional Transfer: $33
  • AcquaPlus WaterPark Entrance Ticket optional Transfer: $34
  • One way shared transfer from or to Chania Airport To Bali: $37
  • Crete Private Transfer to&from Heraklion Airport Port all Crete: $39
  • Heraklion Airport (HER) to Heraklion - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
  • Private Transfer from Heraklion Airport (HER) to Heraklion Port: $40
  • Chania & Rethymno:Limnoupolis Water Park with Lunch+Transfer: $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Crete?

Prices for flights to both Crete 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Santiago $23
    Crete $66
Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.94
  • Hamburger
    $2.57
  • Dinner
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.

  • Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
  • Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $58
  • Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
  • 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
  • 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
  • Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
  • Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $129

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Crete

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Crete.

  • Traditional Cretan Night: Live Show and Dinner: $32
  • Traditional Dance Show and Buffet Dinner with Wine: $33
  • Troy Dinner-Show: $41
  • Plate smashing | Greek Night with Dancing & Buffet Dinner: $68
  • Rethymno: Cretan Night with Dinner and Live Music, LOCAL GUIDE: $71
  • Olive Oil Factory Tour, Dinner & Traditional Dancing: $71
  • Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers: $73
  • Olive Oil Festival in Cretan Farm with Traditional Dinner: $76
  • Cretan Culture & Local Life Tour: VILLAGES, COOKING & FOOD: $80
  • Rethymno Old Town Walking Food Tour Local Market Visit Tastings: $88
  • Heraklion: Finikia Horse Riding Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $90
  • Amazing Sunset Jeep Safari Route with Dinner: $92

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santiago $49
    Crete $28

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: $11
  • Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $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 español: $27
  • City Tour Santiago - Walking Tour: $29

Tours and Activities in Crete

Here are a few actual costs in Crete for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Chania Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.22
  • Private Traditional Olive Grove and Dragon Fruit Farm Tour: $11
  • The Terra Creta Olive Oil Experience Tour: $11
  • CRETAquarium Entrance Ticket in Crete: $18
  • Chersonissos: Mini-Train City Highlights Tour: $20
  • Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Rethymno English & German guide: $20
  • Heraklion: Palace of Knossos 3D Virtual Audio Tour by Tablet: $22
  • Heraklion Market and CretAquarium Guided Tour: $22
  • Chania: Minoan's World 9D Experience: $23
  • Chania: Sunset Boat Cruise with Guide: $23
  • Heraklion: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $23
  • Heraklion: Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Bus Sightseeing Tour: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santiago $8.62
    Crete $25

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: $55
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
  • Valparaíso and Vineyard of the Sea with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75

Sample the Local Flavors in Crete

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Crete:

  • Vatolakkos: Boutique Winery Tour & 5-Wine Tasting: $28
  • From Chania:Elafonissi Beach Day Trip, Elos, Honey & Wine Tasting: $33
  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Tour From Chania: $42
  • Authentic Crete Farm & Wine Tasting Experience from Heraklion: $52
  • Platanias: Guided Road Trip with Olive Oil and Wine Tastings: $80
  • Jeep Tour to Archanes with Wine tasting & Lunch: $112
  • Private-Wine Tasting and Olive Oil Factory .: $141
  • Heraklion: Ebike - All in one - Food tasting & Wine tasting: $175
  • E-Bike Tour - Knossos Olive Oil Farm to Winery Wine Tasting: $185
  • PRIVATE Walking Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting by a Sommelier: $188
  • The Gourmet Wine Tour of Heraklion area: $194
  • Gastronomy tour and wine tasting in traditional villages: $212


When comparing the travel costs between Santiago and Crete, we can see that Crete is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Santiago is in South America and Crete is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which has a larger population, Santiago or Crete?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Crete. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Crete, 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.