Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santiago or Toronto?
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 Toronto. 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 Toronto?
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.
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
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 Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $143Toronto $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $143, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $205. 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 Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $111Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $222Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Santiago or Toronto? 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 Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.48Toronto $32
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$1.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- from Santiago airport private arrival transfer to the Valparaiso pier: $251
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Transfer from or to the airport in Santiago, Chile: $60
- 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 To Valle Nevado Private for small groups: $250
- 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
- Transfer Privado Entre Santiago Y El Aeropuerto: $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle$27
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Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Convenient bus transfer between Hamilton Airport and Toronto: $3.65
- Express Train Transfer to/from Pearson Airport: $9.03
- One Way: from/to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - Private Transfer: $38
- Private Airport Transfer Pearson Airport to or from Toronto: $41
- Private Departure Transfer-Toronto to Pearson Airport(YYZ) or YTZ: $41
- Private Transfer Toronto Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotels: $42
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by Business Car: $59
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Richmond Hill Black Car Service: $61
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto hotel/address -Arrival Private Transfer: $63
- Toronto City to Pearson Airport Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Mississauga City Black Car Service: $64
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto 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 $13Toronto $66
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.91
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Hamburger$2.54
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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.
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $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
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
- Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
- Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168
Typical Food Prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$23
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- E-Scooter Food Tour Toronto: $45
- Toronto Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $66
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $66
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $73
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Scenic Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $76
- Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour: $80
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Father's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Mother's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $93
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $48Toronto $31
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Experience Wildlife Encounter in Provincia Mountain of Chile.: $235
- Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
- 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
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Day Volcano 8k Private Tour : $230
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
- Andes Sunset: shared tour with Asado in the mountain: $90
- Andes Whitewater Rafting Adventure plus Winery Tour and Tasting: $199
- Authentic Andes Adventure: Private Horse Riding and Cheese & Wine: $150
Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$15
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CN Tower at night for Two$36
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$26
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.32
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Toronto: $3.65
- Downtown City Landmarks Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.31
- Toronto Beneath The Surface Walking Tour: $4.47
- Downtown Toronto Walking Tour: $4.47
- Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.47
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $5.12
- Queen Street West: An audio tour exploring Toronto's coolest street: $5.20
- Kensington Market: Downtown Toronto Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Kensington Market, Chinatown and the Art Gallery of Ontario: A Self-Guided Tour: $5.99
- Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $6.21
- Toronto's Waterfront: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.21
- Toronto's Waterfront: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.51Toronto $22
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
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Private Tour: Santa Rita Vineyard with Wine Tastings: $72
- 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
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Outdoor Escape Game: $8.07
- Finest Whisky Exploration Game in Toronto Distillery District: $8.20
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $17
- Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour: $21
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- 30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour in Toronto: $36
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $36
- Toronto : Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $38
- Toronto Distillery District self-guided walking tour & hunt: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santiago and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Toronto?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Toronto. When comparing the sizes of Santiago and Toronto, 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 Toronto?
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 Toronto has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Santiago or Toronto in the Summer?
Both Toronto and Santiago during the summer are popular places to visit.
In January, Santiago is generally around the same temperature as Torontoin July. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 21°C (70°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Santiago usually gets less rain in January than Torontoin July. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySantiago 21°C (70°F)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Toronto in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Toronto.
Santiago is a little warmer than Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in October.
In April, Santiago usually receives less rain than Torontoin October. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Toronto in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Toronto.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Toronto. In the winter, Santiago is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santiago in July average around 9°C (48°F), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F)in January.
Santiago usually gets more rain in July than Torontoin January. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySantiago 9°C (48°F)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Toronto in the Spring?
Both Toronto and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In October, Santiago is generally much warmer than Torontoin April. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 15°C (59°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In October, Santiago usually receives less rain than Torontoin April. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Santiago
| Santiago | Toronto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 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.