Which place is cheaper, New York City or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santiago or New York City?
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 York City. 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 York City?
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 York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $141New York City $326
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $141, while the average daily cost in New York City is $326. 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 York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $110New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $220New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Santiago and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or New York City? 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 New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.41New York City $49
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manhattan: Bus Transfer from/to Newark Airport: $21
- New York: 1-Way Transfer to/from JFK & Grand Central Station: $27
- Midtown/Lower Manhattan -JFK: Private Airport Departure Transfers: $29
- Newark Liberty International Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to / from NYC: $34
- Private Departure Transfers from Upper Manhattan to JFK Airport: $34
- EWR to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer: $34
- Manhattan to EWR: One Way Shared Departure Transfer: $34
- JFK to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer : $34
- Manhattan to LGA: One Way Shared Departure Transfer: $34
- Manhattan to JFK: One Way Shared Departure Transfer : $34
- LGA to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer: $34
- NYC: One-Way Shared Transfer to or from Newark Airport: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $13New York City $50
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
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New York, Queens Culinary Stroll : Food Tour on Foot: $23
- New York City Pizza Crawl: Best of Manhattan route: $37
- Lower East Side and Essex Market Multicultural Food Tour: $39
- Half-Day Private Pizza Crawl in Manhattan: $40
- Shared Food Tour Bohemian Greenwichvillage: $45
- East Village Food Tour: $60
- NYC: Greenwich Village Guided Food Tour: $63
- Pizza Walking Tour of Downtown Brooklyn: $65
- East Village Pizza Walk: $65
- West Village Pizza Walk: $65
- Greenwich Village Pizza Walk: $65
- Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $47New York City $180
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 New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets$56
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Central Park NYC: First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $3.20
- Marvel Universe in New York In-app Audio Tour in English: $5.00
- Central Park: Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- Self Guided Central Park Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
- Brooklyn Bridge Self-Guided Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
- New York City's Financial District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in New York: $5.41
- Central Park Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.53
- Self Guided "Central Park Movie Tour" Solo Walking Tour in New York City: $6.75
- NYC: Central Park Exploration Game and Tour: $6.93
- Self-Guided Tour of the Museum at Eldridge Street: $7.50
- Docent-Led Tour of the Museum at Eldridge Street: $7.50
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.41New York City $29
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
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- NYC West Village Pub Crawl: $19
- NYC West Village Pub Crawl: $21
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
- NYC: Brooklyn Nightlife Pub Crawl: $34
- NYC Pub Crawl and Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $35
- NYC: Boos & Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
- New York Rooftop Pub Crawl: $39
- NYC: Manhattan's Only Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $42
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- East Village Gangster Ghost Pub Crawl: $64
- Lower East Side Prohibition Pub Crawl: $74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 York City 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 York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and New York City, 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 York City?
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 York City has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Santiago or New York City in the Summer?
Both New York City and Santiago during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In January, Santiago is generally cooler than New York Cityin July. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 21°C (70°F), and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
New York City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santiago usually gets less rain in January than New York Cityin July. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySantiago 21°C (70°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Santiago or New York City in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and New York City. Furthermore, many travelers come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Santiago is around the same temperature as New York City in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C)in October.
In April, Santiago usually receives less rain than New York Cityin October. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Santiago or New York City in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Santiago as well as New York City. Additionally, many visitors come to New York City in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
New York City can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Santiago is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santiago in July average around 9°C (48°F), and New York City averages at about 31°F (-1°C)in January.
Santiago usually gets less rain in July than New York Cityin January. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySantiago 9°C (48°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Santiago or New York City in the Spring?
Both New York City and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In October, Santiago is generally a little warmer than New York Cityin April. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 15°C (59°F), and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In October, Santiago usually receives less rain than New York Cityin April. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Santiago
| Santiago | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |
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.