Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Temuco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Temuco 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 Temuco 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: Temuco or Santiago?
Temuco
Temuco is a large and modern city found 680 km south of Santiago. While the city is dynamic, it does not have any particular charm with the exception of being a great point of departure for many excursions around the lake region and the many national parks found in the surrounding area. Temuco is also well known for its Mapuche culture, a proud and rebellious community of around 20 000 in the area today, who has fought continuously against every invaders in the past.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, and The Best Budget Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTemuco $80Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Temuco is $80, 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 Temuco and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTemuco $44Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTemuco $88Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Temuco and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Temuco 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: Temuco Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Temuco $23Santiago $5.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Temuco
Also for Temuco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from or to Temuco - Araucanía Airport: $35
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
- Transfer Araucanía Airport - Temuco: $50
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Thermal Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Transfer from Temuco Airport to Pucon: $140
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:
- Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $539
- Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Transfer From Santiago/Airport to Valparaiso(Exclusive & Private): $289
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- Transfer To Valle Nevado Private for small groups: $250
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Viña del Mar: $237
- City Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $234
- Transfer from Valparaiso or San Antonio Port + Condor Watching Tour: $230
Is it cheaper to fly into Temuco or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Temuco 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 dayTemuco $22Santiago $13
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: $95
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Sunset Alyan + 6 wines + savory board + rustic dinner + dessert: $119
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
- 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.Temuco $7.85Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in Temuco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Temuco.
- Tour Mapuche Community Araucanía: $582
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Private Adventure at 4200 meters above sea level in the Chilean Andes Cerro Pintor: $300
- Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
- 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
- 4-hour city tour of Santiago in small groups: $80
- Adventure and Viewpoints in Cajón del Maipo: $255
- Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240
- Andean Tour: $158
- Andes Day Lagoon: Embalse El Yeso Tour from Santiago: $120
- Andes Half-Day Private Tour with Wine and Cheese Tasting: $190
- Andes Sunset: shared tour with Asado in the mountain: $90
- Andes Tour to Portillo Inca Lagoon with San Esteban Vineyard Empanada & Wine: $119
- Andes Whitewater Rafting Adventure plus Winery Tour and Tasting: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTemuco $5.13Santiago $8.41
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
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with 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
- Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile: $77
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Concha y Toro semi-private tour with 3 wine tastings: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Temuco and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Temuco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Temuco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Temuco 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 Temuco.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Temuco Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Temuco or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Temuco. When comparing the sizes of Temuco 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 Temuco or Santiago?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Temuco or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Temuco during the summer are popular places to visit.
In January, Temuco is generally cooler than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Temuco average around 17°C (62°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Temuco usually gets more rain in January than Santiago. Temuco gets 42 mm (1.7 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 JanuaryTemuco 17°C (62°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Temuco or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Temuco and Santiago.
Temuco is cooler than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Temuco averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In April, Temuco usually receives more rain than Santiago. Temuco gets 80 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 AprilTemuco 12°C (53°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Temuco or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Temuco as well as Santiago.
In the winter, Temuco is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Temuco in July average around 8°C (46°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F).
Temuco receives a lot of rain in the winter. Temuco usually gets more rain in July than Santiago. Temuco gets 169 mm (6.7 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 JulyTemuco 8°C (46°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Temuco or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Temuco are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In October, Temuco is generally cooler than Santiago. Daily temperatures in Temuco average around 12°C (54°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
In October, Temuco usually receives more rain than Santiago. Temuco gets 86 mm (3.4 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 OctoberTemuco 12°C (54°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Temuco
| Temuco | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (62°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (47°F) | 177 mm (7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 8°C (46°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (50°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.