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

Should you visit Tbilisi or Santiago?

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

Should I visit Tbilisi or Santiago? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Tbilisi or Santiago?

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the "Mother of Georgia." Tbilisi’s eternal charms of a dramatic setting in the deep valley of the swift Mtkvari River, picturesque architecture, an ever-lively arts and cultural scene, and the welcoming Georgian lifestyle have been added a whole new 21st-century dimension of inviting cafes and restaurants serving ever better food, up-to-date lodgings from backpacker hostels to international five-stars, interesting bars and clubs, spruced-up museums, galleries, parks, plazas and whole streets, modernized transport and a sprinkling of eye-catching contemporary architecture. The mix of modern and ancient elements makes Tbilisi the beating heart of the South Caucasus and it is well worth a visit.

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 in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Tbilisi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tbilisi is $29, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $143. 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 Tbilisi and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tbilisi $13
    Santiago $111
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tbilisi $26
    Santiago $222
Compare Hotels in Tbilisi and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Tbilisi 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 Tbilisi


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: Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tbilisi $6.20
    Santiago $5.48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi

Also for Tbilisi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Tbilisi City to Tbilisi Airport: $10
  • Transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Tbilisi: $10
  • Kutaisi Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Tbilisi: $10
  • Kutaisi: BUS Transfer to/from Tbilisi: $10
  • 24/7 Taxi Airport Shuttle and Transfer Private Service: $14
  • Airport Shuttle and Transfer Service: $14
  • Airport transfer by Visit-geo: $16
  • Batumi airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tbilisi: $16
  • Tbilisi Airport Shuttle And Transfer Service: $18
  • Tbilisi Airport Arrival Private Transfer To Accommodation & Hotel: $19
  • Tbilisi International Airport Departure Transfer From Tbilisi: $19
  • Tbilisi Airport Private Transfers: $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    $1.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • from Santiago airport private arrival transfer to the Valparaiso pier: $251
  • Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
  • Transfer from or to the airport in Santiago, Chile: $60
  • Transfer from Santiago to Portillo Ski Center: $160
  • Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $83
  • Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
  • Transfer To Valle Nevado Private for small groups: $250
  • Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
  • Transfer Santiago Airport to the commune of Providencia: $56
  • Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
  • Transfer Santiago - Valparaíso: $210
  • Transfer Privado Entre Santiago Y El Aeropuerto: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Tbilisi or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Tbilisi 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
    Tbilisi $8.03
    Santiago $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tbilisi

For Tbilisi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Natural Wine Degustation and Tasting with Georgian Dinner Option: $20
  • Small-Group Khinkali and Khachapuri Cooking Class in Tbilisi: $24
  • Georgian Cooking Class with Khinkali and Khachapuri: $25
  • Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Traveling Spoon Georgian Dumplings Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Cooking Class with a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $70
  • Food Tour with 9 Tastings and Wine: $70
  • Full Day Tbilisi Tour with Cooking Class & Wine Tasting Activity: $95
  • In Georgian Cooking Masterclass by Local: $102
  • Half-Day Food Tour of Tbilisi Dezerter's Bazaar: $125
  • Private Cooking Class with a Georgian Grandmother in Tbilisi: $130

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.91
  • Hamburger
    $2.54
  • Dinner
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

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

  • Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
  • Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
  • Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $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
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tbilisi $15
    Santiago $48

Tours and Activities in Tbilisi

For Tbilisi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line: Experimentorium Ticket: $5.45
  • Virtual tour to Georgia: $10
  • Walking Tour in Old Tbilisi - Group Tour: $12
  • Highlands Tour: Kazbegi, Ananuri, Gudauri, and Zhinvali: $12
  • Exploring Tbilisi Walking Tour: $12
  • 3 Hour Walking Tour in Tbilisi: $13
  • Afternoon Walking tour of Old Town: $13
  • Tbilisi Guided Walking Tour: $13
  • Underground Printing House Museum Tour in Tbilisi: $14
  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $14
  • Tbilisi City Tour: $15
  • Revolutionary Tbilisi Walking Tour: $15

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Experience Wildlife Encounter in Provincia Mountain of Chile.: $235
  • Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
  • 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
  • Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
  • Andes Day Volcano 8k Private Tour : $230
  • Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
  • Andes Sunset: shared tour with Asado in the mountain: $90
  • Andes Whitewater Rafting Adventure plus Winery Tour and Tasting: $199
  • Authentic Andes Adventure: Private Horse Riding and Cheese & Wine: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tbilisi $18
    Santiago $8.51

Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi

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

  • 3 Hours Walk Around Wine Tasting of 12 Different Wines in Tbilisi: $10
  • Tbilisi.First impression of Tbilisi-evening walking,wine tasting: $11
  • One-day tour of Kakheti from Tbilisi, free wine tasting: $14
  • Tbilisi Walking Tour Including Wine Tasting Cable Car and Bakery: $14
  • Tbilisi Walking Tour with Cable Cars, Wine Tasting and Traditional Bakery: $15
  • Kakheti Day Group Tour: Free Wine Tasting: $15
  • Full Day Wine Tour Bodbe , Sighnaghi , Telavi: $16
  • Wine Tasting Feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $16
  • Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур: $19
  • Kakheti: Sighnaghi city of love, Bodbe, Telavi, Free wine tasting: $19
  • Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour: $20
  • Whole day Wine Tour to Kakheti from Tbilisi: $20

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 tour: $63
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • Private Tour: Santa Rita Vineyard with Wine Tastings: $72
  • From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
  • 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
  • Colchagua Premium Wine Tour from Santiago: $145


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

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


Which is Bigger, Tbilisi or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Tbilisi. When comparing the sizes of Tbilisi 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.