A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Siem Reap vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Siem Reap or Santiago?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Siem Reap 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: Siem Reap or Santiago?

Siem Reap

Located in northern Cambodia, Siem Reap is the closest town to Cambodia's famous Angkor Wat. It is a comfortable and laid back town and most visitors use it as a base to explore the country's most visited destination. Although Siem Reap was once a quaint village, it has continued to grow and change to meet the needs of the many tourists who visit every year. Siem Reap has become a very touristy town with easy access to restaurants, hotels, and shops. It also has a large expatriate community and the western influences are unavoidable. Although prices remain quite low, they are higher than you might find elsewhere in Cambodia.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phnom Penh, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Siem Reap, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Siem Reap?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Siem Reap is $94, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $161. 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 Siem Reap and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Siem Reap $52
    Santiago $117
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Siem Reap $104
    Santiago $234
Compare Hotels in Siem Reap and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Siem Reap 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.

Hotels in Siem Reap


Hotels in Santiago


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: Siem Reap Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Siem Reap $8.82
    Santiago $5.81
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Siem Reap

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Siem Reap:


  • Tuk Tuk Ride
    $13
  • Bike Rentals
    $1.94

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Siem Reap

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siem Reap:

  • Angkor International Airport (SAI) Private/Shared Transfers: $9.00
  • Share One-Way Arrival/Departure Transfer: $10
  • Angkor Airport (SAI) Private or Shared Transfers :Siem Reap: $10
  • Siem Reap International Airport Transfer (SIA): $12
  • Angkor Airport (SAI) Private or Shared Transfers: $14
  • Siem Reap Airport (SAI): Transfer to/from Siem Reap Hotel: $15
  • Airport (SAI) Pickup/Transfer Private Car: $18
  • Kompong Phluk Floating Village with Transfers: $20
  • Private Transfers Siem Reap City to Airport: $20
  • Angkor National Museum Ticket with Transfer: $24
  • Siem Reap Airport Transfer to/from Siem Reap by Private Car: $25
  • Siem Reap Angkor International Airport private transfer: $25

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    $1.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $105
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $105
  • Arrival Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago de Chile: $82
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $105
  • Casas del Bosque Winery + RE Wineries : Exclusive Tour + Transfer: $220
  • City Tour Santiago with Exclusive Guide + Private Transfer: $270
  • City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
  • Clos Apalta Winery - Tour with Private Transfer: $300
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $105
  • From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262

Is it cheaper to fly into Siem Reap or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Siem Reap 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 day
    Siem Reap $28
    Santiago $24
Typical Food Prices in Siem Reap

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Siem Reap:


  • Breakfast for Two
    $5.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Siem Reap

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siem Reap.

  • A Spectacular Show with Optional Dinner: $18
  • Apsara Dance Show with Dinner by Tuk-Tuk Roundtrip Transfer: $19
  • Apsara Performance with Dinner include Pick up & Drop off: $22
  • Apsara Performance Including Buffet Dinner & Hotel Pick up: $22
  • Buffet Dinner Apsara Show with hotel transfers: $22
  • Apsara Dance Show and Dinner with Hotel Pickup: $22
  • Apsara Show Including Dinner & Hotel Pickup: $23
  • Dinner and Traditional Show with Hotel Transfer: $24
  • Apsara Dance Show with Buffet Dinner & Tuk-Tuk...: $26
  • A Night To Remember: Apsara Dance Show with Buffet Dinner: $27
  • Dinner Show Apsara Dance, Pickup round trip included: $27
  • Apsara Theatre Performance include Dinner & hotel pick up: $29

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    $2.02
  • Hamburger
    $2.69
  • Dinner
    $28

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
  • Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $58
  • Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
  • 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
  • Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
  • Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $109
  • Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Siem Reap $30
    Santiago $51
Typical Entertainment Prices in Siem Reap

Here are a few typical costs in Siem Reap for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Angkor Tour Guide
    $8.27

Tours and Activities in Siem Reap

Here are a few actual costs in Siem Reap for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • FREE Market & Local Temple Tour: $1.00
  • Satcha: Workshop Tour Guide incl. Free Soft Drink: $5.50
  • City Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Siem Reap Motorbike Rental - Temple and City Tours own drive: $9.00
  • Angkor Wat: Full-Day Guided Sunset Tour: $10
  • Siem Reap Lotus Silk Farm Tour with Pick Up downtown: $10
  • Small-Group Full Day Angkor wat Guide tour with Sun set: $11
  • Angkor Wat Sunrise for Group or Private Tours: $12
  • Angkor Wat 1 Day with Sunrise Combined tour with (Tuk Tuk): $12
  • Sunrise at Angkor Wat and Small Tour with Tours Guide: $12
  • Angkor Wat Sunrise and Full-Day Sightseeing Tour: $13
  • Angkor Wat: Small-Group Sunrise Tour: $13

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: $9.00
  • A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
  • Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
  • Guided Walking Tour through the Historic Center: $29
  • Andes Snow Experience Farellones Valle Nevado and from Santiago: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Siem Reap $11
    Santiago $9.02

Sample the Local Flavors in Siem Reap

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Siem Reap:

  • Mad Monkey Siem Reap Pub Crawl: $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $27
  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
  • Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $45
  • "Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Official english: $45
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $59
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Santa Carolina History and Wine Tasting in Santiago: $70
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Siem Reap and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Siem Reap much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Siem Reap 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 Siem Reap would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Siem Reap 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 Siem Reap.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Siem Reap Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Siem Reap or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Siem Reap. When comparing the sizes of Siem Reap 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.