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

Should you visit Santiago or New Orleans?

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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans?

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.

New Orleans

New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.

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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, New Orleans 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
    New Orleans Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santiago $154
    New Orleans $271

The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $154, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $271. 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 New Orleans in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santiago $112
    New Orleans $125
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santiago $224
    New Orleans $250
Compare Hotels in Santiago and New Orleans

Looking for a hotel in Santiago or New Orleans? 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 New Orleans


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 New Orleans Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santiago $5.55
    New Orleans $51
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:

  • Villard Winery with exclusive guide + Premium Transfer: $220
  • Valparaíso Cruise Port Transfer with Viña del Mar & Vineyard: $90
  • Transfer to San Antonio port with Valparaiso & Casablanca tour: $95
  • Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago: $83
  • Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $100
  • Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
  • Transfer by Electric Car SCL Airport Santiago, Chile: $61
  • Transfer Private Airport SCL to Hotels and Airbnb in Santiago: $60
  • Transfer Parque Farellones Fullday 50%OFF: $59
  • Transfer From Portillo Ski center to Santiago Airport or Hotel: $97
  • Transfer Airport/Port - Hotel: $65
  • Tour to Santiago and Valparaiso with Transfers included: $150

Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans

Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans

Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • New Orleans Airport(MSY) to Port of New Orleans- Private Transfer: $47
  • Private Transfer from New Orleans city to New Orleans Port: $47
  • Private Transfer to/from Louis Armstrong Intl Airport and NOLA: $50
  • Luxury Private Airport Transfer Service in New Orleans: $50
  • Cruise Port Transfer New Orleans and Louis Armstrong Intl MSY: $50
  • New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
  • Private Hotel & Airport Transfers in New Orleans Area One Way: $52
  • Private Transfer in New Orleans MSY/Home/Hotel/Work: $60
  • New Orleans to New Orleans Airport (MSY) - Departure Transfer: $63
  • New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Transfer: $63
  • New Orleans port to New Orleans Airport (MSY) Private Transfer: $63
  • New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans Port Private Transfer: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or New Orleans?

Prices for flights to both New Orleans 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
    New Orleans $78
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
  • Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
  • Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $109
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans

For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $45
  • Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $45
  • New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $58
  • Jazz Dinner Cruise aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans: $60
  • New Orleans Sweet Treats Food Tour: Beignets, Donuts, & Much More: $70
  • New Orleans Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $73
  • French Quarter Walking Food Tour: Signature Tastes of New Orleans: $80
  • French Quarter Food Tour: $89
  • Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89
  • NOLA Carte Food Tour: 300 Years of Flavor in the French Quarter: $96
  • New Orleans Original Seafood Tour of the French Quarter: $100
  • New Orleans Cooking Class and Cocktail Walking Tour: $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santiago $49
    New Orleans $55

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
  • 1 Day Valparaiso and Vina del Mar Tour from Santiago: $51
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $30
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
  • A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago (Standard): $280
  • Adega Montes Guided Tour with Private Transportation: $300
  • Adventure in Portillo: Laguna del Inca and Mountain Picnic: $100
  • Adventure in the Andes Plaster Reservoir and Thermal and Picnic Premiun: $110
  • All Santiago in One Day: Private Guided Tour: $250
  • An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $60
  • Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & El Morado Lodge and Spa: $147

Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)
    $75
  • Riverboat Cruise
    $70
  • French Quarter City Tour
    $100

Tours and Activities in New Orleans

For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • French Quarter Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
  • New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.87
  • New Orleans French Quarter: Stolen Art Puzzle Adventure: $7.03
  • Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $8.99
  • New Orleans French Quarter Walking Tour with Audioguide: $9.38
  • Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • A Walk in the Park: City Park New Orleans Audio Tour: $9.99
  • New Orleans French Quarter Audio Tour: Iconic Sites & Hidden Gems: $9.99
  • New Orleans Ghost Tour in 6 Languages (Self-Guided Audio Tour): $10
  • Walking the Tremé: A Self-guided Audio Tour of New Orleans: $12
  • Self-Guided Tour of New Orleans’ Historic French Quarter: $12
  • New Orleans Haunted Ghost Tour: Explore The Paranormal: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santiago $8.62
    New Orleans $60

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
  • Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
  • Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
  • 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
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
  • Concha y Toro Tour with Wine Tasting and Transport: $87
  • Viña Santa Rita Premium Tour and 5 Wine Tasting Small Group: $89

Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:

  • Pub Crawl: French Quarter Haunted History Cocktail Tour: $15
  • Pub Crawl: The Drunken Telling of New Orleans Tales: $18
  • Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party with Free Shot: $19
  • New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $25
  • Crawl Haunted Pub Crawl & Ghost Tour: $27
  • Pub Crawl: New Orleans Ghosts, Boos, and Booze: $29
  • Pub Crawl: New Orleans Spooky Spirits Ghost Tour: $30
  • New Orleans Original True Crime Pub Crawl: $30
  • Pub Crawl: New Orleans Cocktail and Ghost Tour: $30
  • Pub Crawl: New Orleans Happy Hour Ghost Walking Tour: $33
  • New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl: Ghosts & French Quarter Nightlife: $35
  • New Orleans Bourbon Street Bar Crawl w/ Shots & Souvenir Cup: $35


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


Which is Bigger, Santiago or New Orleans?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

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 New Orleans has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Santiago or New Orleans in the Summer?

Both New Orleans and Santiago during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Santiago is generally cooler than New Orleansin July. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 21°C (70°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santiago usually gets less rain in January than New Orleansin July. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Santiago 21°C (70°F) 
    New Orleans 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Santiago or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and New Orleans. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

Santiago is cooler than New Orleans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C)in October.

In April, Santiago usually receives less rain than New Orleansin October. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Santiago 15°C (59°F) 
    New Orleans 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Santiago or New Orleans in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Santiago as well as New Orleans. Additionally, many travelers come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Santiago is cooler than New Orleans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santiago in July average around 9°C (48°F), and New Orleans averages at about 51°F (11°C)in January.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Santiago usually gets less rain in July than New Orleansin January. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Santiago 9°C (48°F) 
    New Orleans 51°F (11°C)

Should I visit Santiago or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to New Orleans in the spring for the activities around the city.

In October, Santiago is generally cooler than New Orleansin April. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 15°C (59°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In October, Santiago usually receives less rain than New Orleansin April. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Santiago 15°C (59°F) 
    New Orleans 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Santiago

Santiago New Orleans
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 51°F (11°C) 5.2 inches (131 mm)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 54°F (12°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Mar 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 62°F (16°C) 5 inches (126 mm)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 68°F (20°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
May 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 75°F (24°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
Jun 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.9 inches (151 mm)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm)
Aug 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 82°F (28°C) 6.2 inches (157 mm)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (140 mm)
Oct 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 61°F (16°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 55°F (13°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm)