Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Split?
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 Split or Santiago?
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 Split and Santiago. 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: Split or Santiago?
Split
Split is a historic city in Central Dalmatia with many opportunities to glimpse its fascinating past in its historic city center. Centuries ago the city grew up around a Diocletian palace that was used as refuge by the locals.
Today, as you wander around the historic center, you can see the remains of the Roman walls, temples, and squares. Despite it's appeal to tourists, Split is much more than just a tourist destination. It is larger than you might initially realize and it spreads well beyond the historic center. There is a population of about 300,000 in the larger area and it is an economic center for the region.
Split has a beautiful climate with mild winters, countless sunny days, and a generally pleasant temperature. As such, there are many opportunities to enjoy yourself outdoors, whether by participating in sports or walking around the city's quaint streets. Winters in Split are also quite mild, but there may be one snowy day, on average, every year. This rare snowfall can cause a significant disruption in the flow of traffic.
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 Walking Tours in Croatia, The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Split Prices
Croatia PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySplit €196Santiago €130
The average daily cost (per person) in Split is €196, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €130. 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 Split and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSplit €84Santiago €95
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSplit €168Santiago €190
Compare Hotels in Split and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Split 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: Split Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Split €23Santiago €4.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Split
Also for Split, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Split ↔Žnjan Beach: Comfortable and Scenic Boat Transfer: $18
- Private Taxi Transfer from Split airport to Split City: $33
- Private Transfer from Split Airport (SPU) to Slatine (Island Ciovo): $38
- Private Transfer from Split Hotels to Cruise Port of Split: $40
- Private Transfer from Cruise Port of Split to Split hotels: $40
- Private Transfer from Cruise Port of Split to Split Airport (SPU): $40
- Cruise Port of Split to Split Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Split Airport (SPU) to Cruise Port of Split - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Split Cruise Port to Split Airport SPU-Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Split Hotels to Cruise Port of Split - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Luxury private transfer: Split airport to Split: $44
- Luxury private transfer: Split Town to Split airport: $44
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€0.98
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Villard Winery with exclusive guide + Premium Transfer: $220
- Transfer in/out cruise to/from Santiago plus tour Valparaiso: $135
- Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $100
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Viña del Mar by Car: $140
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
- Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $270
- Transfer Airport/Port - Hotel: $65
- Tour to Santiago and Valparaiso with Transfers included: $150
- Tarapacá Winery + Santa Ema Winery, Tour + Private Transfer: $180
- TRANSFER TRANSFER AIRPORT-VIÑA DEL MAR VALPARAISO: $190
- Sewell Tour Transfer: $165
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Split or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Split 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 daySplit €93Santiago €20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Split
For Split, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Omiš: Sunset Boat Trip to Pučišća Brač island with Dinner: $51
- Split’s Ultimate Walking Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks: $67
- Small Group Food Tour with Private Option: $104
- Split’s Ultimate Walking Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $120
- Split Old Town Authentic Food Tour with 9 Dishes & Local Wines: $124
- Split Food Tour: Discover Split One Bite At A Time: $137
- Split Food Tour: Discover Split One Bite at a Time: $140
- Dinner In Dalmatia: A Family Affair Outside Split: $142
- Vegan Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Split: $199
- Split Cooking Class: $200
- Split Cooking Class - Afternoon Edition Shared Activity: $200
- From farm to table : Cooking class on island Brac: $296
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada€1.63
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Hamburger€2.16
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Dinner€22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $56
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Mercado Meals Santiago Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Barrio Italia Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $119
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $125
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Split €11Santiago €41
Tours and Activities in Split
For Split, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Split Quest Experience: Discover the City: $4.84
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour: Split's Love Affair with the Sea: $5.45
- Self Guided Podcast Tour Myth and Marble in Split: $5.45
- Split self guided walking tour through history: $5.70
- Split Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h and 17 audio reviews: $6.73
- Split's Old Town and Marjan Hill: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Diocletian's Palace & Split Old Town: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $11
- Split Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $11
- TOP Split : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $11
- Discover Split Guided Walking Tour: $12
- Entry Ticket to Selfie Experience Museum: $13
- Klis Fortress Sunset Tour & Game of Thrones Views: $13
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $27
- 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
- 1 Day Valparaiso and Vina del Mar Tour from Santiago: $51
- 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $30
- 6 Hour Tour of Culture, History and Flavors from Santiago: $75
- A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago (Standard): $290
- All Santiago in One Day: Private Guided Tour: $250
- An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $60
- Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & El Morado Lodge and Spa: $147
- Andes Day Lagoon in Cajón del Maipo & Embalse el Yeso Private Tour: $270
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySplit €18Santiago €7.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Split
Also in Split, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Split Pub Crawl: Nightlife, Shots & Club Entry: $14
- Diocletian's Palace Walking and Wine Tasting Tour: $17
- Split Nightlife Pub Crawl with Shots and Club Entry: $17
- From Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $44
- From Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $53
- Split/Trogir: Krka National Park Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $55
- From Krka Waterfalls day tour & wine tasting: $55
- Dalmatian wine tasting by Bottiglia wine & deli: $57
- Olive Oil and Wine Tasting with Snacks: $57
- Educational wine tasting in Split: $63
- Split&Sip: Educational wine tasting: $64
- From Split/Trogir: Mostar and Medjugorje Tour with Wine Tasting: $97
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- "Chile in Your Glass" Wine Tasting.: $22
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- Tour Viña Santa Carolina in Santiago with 3 wine tasting: $53
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $55
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $65
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- 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 Split and Santiago, we can see that Split is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Split is in Europe 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 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 Split would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Split 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 Split Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Split or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Split. When comparing the sizes of Split 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 Split 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 Split has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Split or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Split as well as Santiago. The summer months attract visitors to Split because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Split is a little warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Split averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
Split usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Split gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySplit 26°C (80°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Split or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Split are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Split this time of year.
In the autumn, Split is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Split in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
In October, Split usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Split gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSplit 18°C (64°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Split or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Split during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Split for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Split is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Split average around 8°C (47°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Split usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santiagoin July. Split gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySplit 8°C (47°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Split or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Split and Santiago. Many visitors come to Split in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Split is around the same temperature as Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Split averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
In April, Split usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Split gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSplit 15°C (59°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Split
| Split | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.