Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Sao Paulo?
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 Sao Paulo or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Santiago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Sao Paulo or Santiago?
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Sao Paulo Prices
Brazil PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $60Santiago $150
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $60, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $150. 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 Sao Paulo and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $28Santiago $109
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $56Santiago $218
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Santiago? 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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.76Santiago $5.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airport (GIG) (SDU): $16
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) Private Transfer to Sao Paulo City/Hotels: $27
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Congonhas Airport: $39
- Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $42
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $47
- Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $65
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $67
- Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $77
- Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo Private Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer from Guarulhos to Santos: $80
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:
- Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $467
- Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
- Private Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $290
- Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $270
- Santiago de Chile : private transfer in SUV to Viña del mar or Valparaíso: $270
- Private Transfer to Sewell UNESCO Andes Town Tour with Lunch: $269
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Viña del Mar: $261
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Transfer: $240
- Transfer from Valparaiso or San Antonio Port + Condor Watching Tour: $230
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Sao Paulo 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 daySao Paulo $24Santiago $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Make 9 Brazilian Faves in a 4-Hour Cooking Workshop in Sao Paulo: $85
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.88
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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.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
- Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $3.89Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Sao Paulo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Downtown-Center History Walking Tour - in English: $31
- São Paulo: 2 Hour Immersion Waling Tour in Paulista Avenue: $34
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $48
- Boat Trip Billings Dam and Experience Bororé Island: $50
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour - In English: $55
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour - In English: $65
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $66
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $68
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
- Shared tour of the tourist attractions of São Paulo: $77
- São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- Private Sightseeing City Tour in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: $240
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $26
- 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago : $240
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
- An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $55
- Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & Santuario del Río Spa: $132
- Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
- Andes Day Lagoon in Cajón del Maipo & Embalse el Yeso Private Tour: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.38Santiago $8.40
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $192
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
- Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sao Paulo Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Santiago?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Santiago, 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 Sao Paulo or Santiago?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Sao Paulo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Sao Paulo is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 25°C (77°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Santiago. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuarySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Santiago. Many visitors come to Sao Paulo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Sao Paulo is a little warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In April, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Santiago. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Santiago. Most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Sao Paulo is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sao Paulo in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in July than Santiago. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the activities around the city.
In October, Sao Paulo is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 21°C (70°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Santiago. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.