Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
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 Foz Do Iguacu, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $52Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $52, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Santiago $110
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Santiago $220
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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.90Santiago $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 Sao Paulo City - Sao Paulo Airport (GRU): $22
- Private One Way Airport Transfer Sao Paulo to and from Sao Paulo: $27
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo hotels to Santos Cruise Port: $31
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $35
- Private Transfer from Sao Paulo City Center to Guarulhos Airport: $36
- Sao Paulo hotels to Campinas Airport (VCP) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $43
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Guarulhos International Airport: $46
- Private Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport Transfer to or from Sao Paulo: $50
- Private Transfer from Liberdade to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $57
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
-
Metro Ride$1.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $539
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Valparaíso: $272
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to San Antonio: $236
- City Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $234
- Santiago Private Transfer: Santiago Airport to San Antonio Cruise Port : $216
- Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
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
-
Food Meals for one daySao Paulo $15Santiago $13
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:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- 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:
-
Empanada$1.89
-
Hamburger$2.50
-
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.05Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.87
- Casa do Povo: guided tour of Neo Química Arena: $11
- Sao Paulo 360 Guided Tour: $26
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $34
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $34
- Personal aromatic experience in São Paulo: $39
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour (2,5hr Food included): $53
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $53
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
- 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 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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.52Santiago $8.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $53
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $95
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $177
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
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.
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.
-
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.
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.
-
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.
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.
-
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.
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.
-
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.