Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Sydney?
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 Sydney or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney 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: Sydney or Santiago?
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
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 Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Sydney Prices
Australia PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySydney $222Santiago $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $222, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $154. 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 Sydney and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSydney $111Santiago $112
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSydney $222Santiago $224
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Sydney 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: Sydney Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sydney $16Santiago $5.55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$14
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Taxi to Airport$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD shared ride seat in vehicle shuttle transfer: $14
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport: Shared Transfer to Sydney CBD: $25
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel or Cruise Port to Sydney Airport: $27
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney City Hotel to Sydney Cruise Port: $27
- Sydney Arrival Transfer: Airport to City or Overseas Passenger Terminal: $27
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney Airport to Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay: $27
- Transfer from White Bay Cruise Terminal to Sydney Airport: $29
- Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $32
- Sydney Airport Vip Transfer to city: $36
- SYD Airport to Sydney City Centre Private Transfer: $37
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $40
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$1.16
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: $99
- Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $80
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Arrival Transfer: Airport SCL to Santiago by Luxury Van: $99
- City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
- Cruise Ship Transfer to Valparaiso Port with 6 Hour tour + Winery: $89
- Cruise Terminal Transfer from Valparaíso & Wine Tasting: $129
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Luxury Van: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
- Portillo and Laguna Del Inca, Exclusive Guide and Private Transfer: $250
- Private 15-Passenger Premium Airport Transfer – Santiago (SCL): $190
Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Sydney 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 daySydney $83Santiago $23
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.81
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Lunch Special$11
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$11
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Meat Pies$3.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $54
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $64
- Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise: $72
- Sydney Harbour: Latin Fiesta Dinner Cruise: $73
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with 3, 4 or 6-Course Menu: $83
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.94
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Hamburger$2.57
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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.
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Best Santiago Street Food Tour with 4+ Tastings and Drink: $58
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Traditional Dinner Show 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.Sydney $34Santiago $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$32
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$32
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$134
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Powerhouse Museum$11
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Walking Tour: $3.52
- Sydney Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Sydney Kids Quest: Family Walking Adventure: $6.45
- Sydney Botanic Garden: Kids Quest Family Walking Adventure: $6.45
- Sydney's Lavender Bay: An Audio Tour by ABC Broadcaster: $6.99
- Sydney Cockatoo Island Escape: Convict Adventure Game: $8.22
- Sydney City Highlights Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Sydney Manly and North Head Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Self Guided Electric Bike Tour of Sydney Beaches: $11
- Self Guided Electric Bike Tour of Sydney: $11
- Sydney Harbour Self Guided Walking Tour with an App: $12
- Sydney’s Iconic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
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: $11
- Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
- City Tour Santiago - Walking Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySydney $16Santiago $8.62
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Wollongong: Go Out with a Gong: $15
- The Wednesday Social Pub Crawl & Karaoke: $22
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl: $35
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $83
- The Rocks Pub Walking Tour: $85
- Marrickville Brewery Tour: $85
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
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
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $27
- "Premium Wine Tour" Viña Cousiño Macul Official english: $45
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $55
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Valparaíso and Vineyard of the Sea with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sydney and Santiago, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sydney or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Sydney. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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 Sydney or Santiago?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Sydney or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Santiago. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Sydney is generally around the same temperature as Santiago. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 23°C (73°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Santiago. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 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 JanuarySydney 23°C (73°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Santiago. Many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Sydney is a little warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Santiago. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 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 AprilSydney 19°C (65°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Sydney is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sydney in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Santiago. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 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 JulySydney 12°C (53°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Sydney or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Sydney during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In October, Sydney is generally a little warmer than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 18°C (64°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Sydney usually gets more rain in October than Santiago. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 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 OctoberSydney 18°C (64°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Sydney
| Sydney | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 60 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 | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.