Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santiago or Easter Island?
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 Easter Island. 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 Easter Island?
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.
Easter Island
Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.
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 Bicycle Tours in Chile, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $141Easter Island $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $141, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $80. 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 Easter Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $110Easter Island $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $220Easter Island $88
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Easter Island
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Easter Island? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.41Easter Island $2.59
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:
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santiago APT-HTL (SCL): $51
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Santiago Airport (SCL) - Santiago de Chile City: $49
- Transfer from or to the airport in Santiago, Chile: $60
- Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago: $83
- Transfer from Santiago to Portillo Ski Center: $160
- Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $83
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Transfer Santiago Airport to the commune of Providencia: $56
- Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
- Transfer Santiago - Valparaíso: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Easter Island?
Prices for flights to both Easter Island 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 $13Easter Island $25
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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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.
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $92
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
- Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $47Easter Island $40
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- A Private Tour of Valparaiso with an experienced local guide.: $195
- Adventure and Viewpoints in Cajón del Maipo: $255
- Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
- Andean Tour: $158
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
- Andes Sunset: shared tour with Asado in the mountain: $90
Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Bike Rental$8.38
Tours and Activities in Easter Island
For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui: $70
- Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
- Easter Island Moai Dining Experience: $90
- Orongo, Ahu Vinapu and Rano Kau Half Day Tour: $91
- Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
- Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island: $97
- Private Sunrise Tour at 15 Moai Tongariki Park: $120
- Full day tour - DREAM: $120
- The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience : $125
- Private Tour: Tongariki Sunrise Experience: $125
- Tour to the Motus: Boat trip and snorkeling in Rapa Nui: $149
- Rapa Nui: Private Tour "The Legend of the BirdMan": $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.41Easter Island $5.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
- half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Easter Island, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Easter Island much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Easter Island would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Easter Island 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 Easter Island.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago Expensive? and Is Easter Island Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Easter Island?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 1210 times larger than the population of Easter Island. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Easter Island, 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 Easter Island?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Santiago or Easter Island in the Summer?
Both Easter Island and Santiago during the summer are popular places to visit.
In January, Santiago is generally cooler than Easter Island. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 21°C (70°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
Santiago usually gets less rain in January than Easter Island. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySantiago 21°C (70°F)Easter Island 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Easter Island in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Easter Island.
Santiago is cooler than Easter Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Easter Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Easter Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Santiago usually receives less rain than Easter Island. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)Easter Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Easter Island in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Easter Island.
In the winter, Santiago is much colder than Easter Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santiago in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Easter Island averages at about 18°C (65°F).
It's quite rainy in Easter Island. Santiago usually gets less rain in July than Easter Island. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySantiago 9°C (48°F)Easter Island 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Easter Island in the Spring?
Both Easter Island and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In October, Santiago is generally cooler than Easter Island. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 15°C (59°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
In October, Santiago usually receives less rain than Easter Island. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)Easter Island 20°C (67°F)
Typical Weather for Easter Island and Santiago
| Santiago | Easter Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 86 mm (3.4 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.