Which place is cheaper, Denver 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 Denver?
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 Denver. 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 Denver?
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.
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Santiago Prices
Chile PricesDenver Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $155Denver $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $155, while the average daily cost in Denver is $272. 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 Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $113Denver $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $226Denver $204
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Denver
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Denver? 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 Denver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.56Denver $94
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- DEN Airport Private Transfer to/from Denver Downtown: $30
- Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Hot Ski Resorts: $65
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $116
- Departure Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN by Business Car: $116
- Denver hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $119
- Private City Tour in Denver with Transfer: $140
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $140
- Breckenridge to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer from Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Luxury Van: $145
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury Van: $145
- Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Luxury Van: $145
- Private One-way Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver 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 $23Denver $85
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
Typical Food Prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
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Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- Morning Downtown 16th St. Food Tour with Local Guide: $69
- RiNo Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
- Denver RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $85
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $85
- The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Show - Denver, CO: $89
- Denver Food Tour with Tastings in Historic Lower Downtown: $110
- Taste of the City Food Tour by Bike: $125
- Downtown Dinner Food and Drink Tour: $135
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $49Denver $47
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
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- Denver Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.08
- Denver Audio Guided Walking Tour 2 hours and 20 audio reviews: $6.88
- Gold Beer and the Rockies: Audio Walking Tour of Golden's Past: $7.99
- Denver's Heart A Self Guided Tour of the State Capitol and Beyond: $8.99
- Winding Pathways of Denver's City Park A Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure on Your Phone: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Denver by Operation City Quest: $10
- Mid and Lower Downtown Walking Tour in Denver: $12
- Awesome Audio Tour in Denver: $15
- Molly Brown House Museum Self-Guided Tour & Entry: $15
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Rooftop Experience Ticket: $15
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Ticket at Coors Field: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.64Denver $5.31
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 Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Astonishing Denver Bar Crawl: Eat Denver Dining Deck Hunt!: $12
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Denver Haunted Pub Crawl Spirits and Stories in LoDo: $35
- Denver Street Art, Murals & Graffiti Tour + Brewery Visit: $35
- Guided Distillery Tour and Whiskey Tasting: $37
- Denver Street Art & Murals Tour + Brewery Visit/Beer Tasting: $39
- Spirits and Spirits Bar Crawl: $45
- Downtown Denver Pub Crawl - Food & Drinks Included!: $50
- Neighborhood Bar Crawl in RiNo Arts District (Denver): $50
- Guided Wine Tasting Experience: $55
- Wild West Pub Crawl: $61
- DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Denver, we can see that Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver 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 Denver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Denver?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Denver. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Denver, 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.
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.