Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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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Santiago Prices
Chile PricesPuerto Montt Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $159Puerto Montt $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $159, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $110. 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 $116Puerto Montt $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $232Puerto Montt $130
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 $5.72Puerto Montt $6.79
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$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Transfer to/from Santiago Airport (SCL): $15
- Private Transfer to Santiago Airport (SCL): $27
- Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago: $34
- 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 to or from Santiago SCL Airport: $45
- Farellones Full Day Roundtrip Transfer: $47
- Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Transfer to Snowy Valley fullday for skiers: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel: $25
- Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas English private Guided Transfer: $30
- Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $38
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Arrival Transfer: $41
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Private Transfer: $41
- Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas Airport English private transfer: $50
- Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas: $50
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $56
- Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $56
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $73
- Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Frutillar: $80
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 $24Puerto Montt $39
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.99
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Hamburger$2.65
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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
- Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $57
- 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
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
- Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $50Puerto Montt $15
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
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $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
- A City Tour Walking through the Unforgettable Santiago: $26
- Roots and Tales of the Capital with City Tour of Santiago: $27
- La Moneda Palace, Plaza de Armas & Historic Santiago Walking Tour: $29
Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Puerto Varas: Half-Day City Tour, Puerto Montt Included: $33
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour: $48
- Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Jumps in Spanish: $68
- Classic Chiloe Tour: $68
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $69
- Shore Excursion: Osorno Volcano Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $70
- Private Tour of Puerto Montt with Stops: $82
- Explore Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Montt: $84
- Calbuco Island & Ancient Arrayán Forest Tour from Puerto Varas: $89
- Check out the Essential City Tour of Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas: $90
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $105
- Cruises from the Puerto Montt cruise port: Petrohué Falls + Osorno Volcano and Puerto Varas: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.89Puerto Montt $4.75
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
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $45
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $59
- Wine Tasting + Cheeseboard + Gypsum Reservoir: $60
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
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.