Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santiago or Puerto Montt?
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 Puerto Montt. 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 Puerto Montt?
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.
Puerto Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the 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 Bicycle Tours in Chile, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $144Puerto Montt $91
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $144, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $91. 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 Puerto Montt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $112Puerto Montt $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $224Puerto Montt $124
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Puerto Montt
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Puerto Montt? 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 Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.54Puerto Montt $6.58
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:
- Transfer in Private Vehicle Santiago Airport (SCL) - Santiago de Chile City: $19
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Santiago Airport (SCL) - Santiago de Chile City: $24
- Private Departure Transfer from Santiago- Santiago Airport (SCL): $28
- Santiago Hotels to Santiago Airport SCL Departure Transfer: $28
- Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- From Farellones Roundtrip Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Santiago City: $29
- Ignacio P.García International Airport to Hermosillo - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $31
- Private Transfer: $31
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- Puerto Tepual Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Arrival Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Puerto Montt Departure Transfer from Hotel: $23
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $28
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $28
- Cruce Andino Office Transfer to or from Puerto Montt: $31
- Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $31
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $31
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Puerto Montt?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt 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 $13Puerto Montt $22
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.93
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Hamburger$2.56
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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.
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Sunset Alyan + 6 wines + savory board + rustic dinner + dessert: $130
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $130
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- Viña Concha y Toro Nocturno: Dinner Show: $137
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $48Puerto Montt $14
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Best of Santiago a Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.98
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $10
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Undurraga Sibaris Tour Ticket: $22
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $24
- Walking Tour in Portuguese of Santiago City: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Frutillar Tour: $31
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
- Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
- Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
- Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
- Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
- Petrohué Falls Osorno Volcano Puerto Varas Sightseeing Shore Tour: $130
- 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
- Tagua Tagua Lake and Wild Patagonia Tour: $133
- Private Shore Excursion Tour to Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Frutillar: $143
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.61Puerto Montt $4.60
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
- Portillo Andes Mountain Range with Inca Lagoon and Wine Tasting: $79
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $85
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- 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
- Portillo Andes Mountain Range Inca lagoon and wine tasting: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Puerto Montt, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Montt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Montt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago Expensive? and Is Puerto Montt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Puerto Montt?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Puerto Montt. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Puerto Montt, 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 Puerto Montt?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Santiago or Puerto Montt in the Summer?
Both Puerto Montt and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Santiago is a little warmer than Puerto Montt in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In January, Santiago usually receives less rain than Puerto Montt. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySantiago 21°C (70°F)Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Montt and Santiago during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Santiago is a little warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santiago usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Montt. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Puerto Montt in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Puerto Montt.
In July, Santiago is generally a little warmer than Puerto Montt. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 9°C (48°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Puerto Montt receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Santiago usually receives less rain than Puerto Montt. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySantiago 9°C (48°F)Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Puerto Montt in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Puerto Montt.
Santiago is a little warmer than Puerto Montt in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in October, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Santiago usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Montt. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Santiago
| Santiago | Puerto Montt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.