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

Should you visit Santiago or Las Vegas?

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 Las Vegas. 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 Las Vegas?

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.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas has long been the gambling capital of the United States. Known as "Sin City," it is a hot spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, but in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in weddings and business conferences. It is the largest city in the state of Nevada and one of the most visited and well known cities in the country. It is located in the Mojave Desert in South Nevada and has a very arid climate with very hot and dry summers. The average high in July is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but as many people like to say "its a dry heat." Winters are cooler and pleasant with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheits. Snow is very rare but the surrounding mountains are often topped with snow during the winter months.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Las Vegas or Santiago?

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

  • Santiago Prices
    Chile Prices
    Las Vegas Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santiago $155
    Las Vegas $369

The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $155, while the average daily cost in Las Vegas is $369. 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 Las Vegas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santiago $113
    Las Vegas $158
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santiago $226
    Las Vegas $316
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Las Vegas

Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Las Vegas? 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 Las Vegas


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 Las Vegas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santiago $5.56
    Las Vegas $53
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:

  • Private Transfer to/from Santiago Airport (SCL): $15
  • SCL Airport Private Transfer ⇄ Santiago/Providencia/Las Condes: $18
  • Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
  • Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
  • 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 to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $47

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Las Vegas

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Las Vegas are as follows:


  • 24 Hr Bus Pass
    $15
  • 24 hrs Deuce Bus
    $7.00
  • Taxi from Airport to the Strip
    $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Las Vegas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Las Vegas:

  • Manila: MNL Airport Private Transfer to/from Manila City Center: $15
  • LAS Airport Private Transfer to/from Las Vegas: $17
  • LAS Airport Private Transfer to/from Strip Hotels: $18
  • Private Transfer from Las Vegas Stripe to LAS Airport: $19
  • LAS Airport to Las Vegas Stripe Hotels Shared Transfer: $22
  • Private Transfer from Las Vegas Airport (LAS): $27
  • Las Vegas to Las Vegas Airport(LAS) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
  • Las Vegas Airport (LAS) to Las Vegas - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
  • One Way Private Transfer to/from McCarran Airport: $50
  • Transfer from Airport to Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel: $50
  • Private Departure Transfer to Las Vegas Airport (LAS): $54
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Las Vegas Airport (LAS): $54

Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Las Vegas?

Prices for flights to both Las Vegas 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
    Las Vegas $139
Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.94
  • Hamburger
    $2.57
  • 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
  • Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $57
  • 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
  • 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
  • Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $98
  • Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
  • Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
  • Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
  • Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109

Typical Food Prices in Las Vegas

Some typical examples of dining costs in Las Vegas are as follows:


  • Coffee
    $5.00
  • Deep Fried Twinkie
    $1.07
  • Chocolate Dip Banana
    $1.07
  • Gelato
    $5.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Las Vegas

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

  • Dimmare's Martinis and Magic® Ticket: Dinner,cocktails & Show: $35
  • Cowboy Christmas Show & Dinner at Firelight Barn in Henderson NV: $49
  • "Classic Country" show & dinner at Firelight Barn in Henderson: $49
  • "Back to the Hits" show & dinner at Firelight Barn: $49
  • Manila Filipino Cooking Class: Meryenda Favorites: $51
  • Interactive Murder Mystery Show and Dinner at Firelight Barn: $58
  • Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience and Tasting: $65
  • Manila Food Tour Experience with Local Guide: $70
  • Makati Street Food tour Experience: $73
  • 2 Hour Italian Pasta Cooking Class in Las Vegas: $75
  • Chocolate Truffle Making Cooking Class in Las Vegas: $75
  • 2-Hour Italian Pasta Cooking Class: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santiago $49
    Las Vegas $78

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
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
  • Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
  • Tour of Santiago with Professional Photography: $25
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Las Vegas

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Las Vegas are as follows:


  • Wedding Chapel
    $139
  • Atomic Testing Museum (two people)
    $12
  • Gondola Ride (4 person)
    $64
  • Monorail Ride
    $5.00
  • NY NY Rollercoaster
    $14
  • Circus Circus Adventure Dome Day Pass
    $26

Tours and Activities in Las Vegas

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Las Vegas are as follows:

  • Downtown Las Vegas Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Discover Vegas Hidden Spots: Your Self-Guided Tour: $8.15
  • Las Vegas’ Glitter Gulch, Ghosts and Gangsters: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Vintage Vegas Self Guided Walking Tour of Fremont Street: $9.99
  • Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Bachelor Party Experience w/ Limousine Free Entry: $9.99
  • Red Rock Canyon Tour Self-Guided Drive Experience: $11
  • Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Red Rock Canyon Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $13
  • Las Vegas Strip Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
  • Lake Mead & Valley of Fire State Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Las Vegas Natural History Museum Admission Ticket: $14

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santiago $8.64
    Las Vegas $55

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
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $65
  • Valparaíso and Vineyard of the Sea with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87

Sample the Local Flavors in Las Vegas

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Las Vegas:

  • Bars Unknown Fremont St Bar Crawl with a Local: $31
  • Mobsters, Casinos, and Speakeasy Bar Crawl: $35
  • Las Vegas Fremont Street Bar Crawl (party bus add-on option): $36
  • Bars Unknown: The Original Las Vegas Strip Bar Crawl: $39
  • The Burlesque Parody of the Classic Film Ticket: $40
  • Zombie Burlesque at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino: $44
  • Las Vegas Bar Crawl by Party Bus with Free Drinks: $49
  • Zombie Burlesque Comedy Musical Show Ticket: $49
  • Fantasy Burlesque Show at Luxor Hotel & Casino: $53
  • Country Bar Crawl by Party Bus w/ Mixed Drinks: $55
  • Las Vegas Country Bar Crawl by Party Bus w/ Free Drinks: $59
  • Mystery Paint & Sip Night at a Trendy Brewery: $59


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Las Vegas, we can see that Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santiago or Las Vegas?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Las Vegas. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Las Vegas, 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.