Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Seoul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Seoul or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Santiago can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Santiago?
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $107Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $107, 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 Seoul and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $54Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $108Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Seoul 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: Seoul Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seoul $15Santiago $5.41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.62
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Short Taxi Ride$5.07
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Metro Ride$0.98
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) Departure Private Transfer: $47
- From Half-Day MBC Dae Jang Geum Park Transfer: $55
- From Everland Admission Ticket with Transfer: $75
- Airport Private Transfer : Seoul Hotel to Incheon International Airport (ICN): $78
- Seoul Incheon International Airport to from Incheon Private Transfer: $85
- Seoul Airport: Private Departure Transfer from Seoul City Center: $87
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $95
- Incheon Airport Private Transfer between Seoul City: $98
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-5 pax): $98
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon airport to/from Seoul(~7 pax): $99
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $99
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:
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $25
- Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santiago hotels - Arrival Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29
- Private Transfer from the Airport to Santiago City: $29
- Private Transfer: $31
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $35
- From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $39
- Santiago de Chile Airport Private Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Seoul 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 daySeoul $30Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.34
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.45
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.98
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Chicken Stick$1.45
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.38
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Lunch Buffet$4.34
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.76
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.39
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Udon & Sushi$5.07
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Fresh Burger$3.48
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.26
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.62
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Fried Rice$3.98
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.88
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.88
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Donut$1.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace : Tour, dinner and coffee: $36
- Seoul Mangwon Market Social Night Food Tour: $44
- Namdaemun Market: the Largest Traditional Market Food Tour: $46
- Namdaemun Market Street Food Tour: $47
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $47
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $54
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $57
- Seoul Ultimate Food Tour: $65
- HalfDay Seoul Afternoon Food Tour and visit 3 land Marks of Seoul: $67
- Night Market Food Tour: $70
- Energizing Korean Cooking Class in a Local Home in Seoul: $71
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.89
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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.
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $45
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $94
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $26Santiago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.79
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Movie Ticket$5.79
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Kimchi Museum$2.17
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.20
- [NEWTRO ART TOUR] Media art museum & walking tour: $8.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Skip the Line: 63 Building Observatory + Aqua Planet 63 Combo Ticket: $11
- Skip the Line: Figure Museum W Ticket (내국인 불가): $11
- Seoul Job Experience Theme Park Ticket for Kid (내국인 불가): $13
- Dongdaemun City Tour Bus(내국인불가): $14
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Private Half-Day Tour: $19
- Seoul Myeongdong Catholic Church Historic Private Walking Tour: $20
- Skip the Line: The Greatest Urban Aquarium COEX Ticket(내국인불가): $23
- Hanbok rental, hanbok experience: $25
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
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- La Paz from the Heights: Down hill Walking tour & Cable Cars: $12
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- Walking tour through Santiago: $26
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
- Small-Group Tour to Valle Nevado and Farellones from Santiago: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $12Santiago $8.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $10
- Seoul Pub Crawl by Absolute: $20
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $21
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $25
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $42
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - Story of Three Pigs: $42
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 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
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $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
- Santa Rita: Ultra Premium Wine Tasting, Tour and Transport: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Seoul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Seoul is in Asia and Santiago is in South 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 Seoul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seoul 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 Seoul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Seoul Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Santiago?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Seoul 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 Seoul or Santiago?
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 Seoul has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Seoul or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Seoul are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Seoul in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Seoul is a little warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Seoul. In July, Seoul usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySeoul 26°C (78°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Seoul during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Seoul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In the autumn, Seoul is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Seoul in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
Seoul usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSeoul 15°C (59°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Seoul and Santiago. The winter months attract visitors to Seoul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Seoul can be very cold. In January, Seoul is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around -3°C (27°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In January, Seoul usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySeoul -3°C (27°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Santiago. The activities around the city are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
Seoul is cooler than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
Seoul usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSeoul 13°C (55°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Seoul
| Seoul | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.