Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Tokyo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tokyo or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tokyo 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: Tokyo or Santiago?
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
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 2-Week Tours in Japan, The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTokyo $157Santiago $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Tokyo is $157, 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 Tokyo and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTokyo $76Santiago $110
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTokyo $152Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in Tokyo and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Tokyo 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: Tokyo Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tokyo $17Santiago $5.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private One-way Transfer Tokyo To Narita Airport: $11
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $17
- Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Cruise Port to Tokyo City Hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo city hotels to Tokyo Cruise Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND): $42
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND) to Tokyo Port: $42
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Haneda Airport (HND): $46
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokyo - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Car Transfer: $51
- Tokyo to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) - Departure Private Transfer: $51
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
- Visit Montes Winery (7th World Best Wine) & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Valparaíso: $272
- Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
- Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Valparaíso,Viña del Mar or San Antonio: $250
- Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to San Antonio: $236
- City Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $234
- Santiago Private Transfer: Santiago Airport to San Antonio Cruise Port : $216
- Transfer Santiago - Viña del Mar: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Tokyo or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Tokyo 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 dayTokyo $37Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.22
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.22
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Meal at Airport$6.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $23
- Easy Ramen cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $26
- 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $33
- 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $39
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $40
- Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $60
- Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $61
- Tokyo Wagyu Culinary Tour Cooking Culture and Tasting: $66
- Asakusa: Sustainable Vegetable Temari Sushi Cooking Class: $72
- Private Food Tour in Downtown Yanesen and Nezu Shrine: $73
- Retro Food Tour in Yanaka: $76
- Sushi roll and side dish cooking experience: $78
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: $92
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $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
- 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.Tokyo $68Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Japan: Zen and Tea Ceremony Audio Guided Tour: $3.26
- Ancient Orient Museum Admission Ticket: $3.92
- Samurai and Bushido Audio Guided Tour: $4.70
- 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour Subway Ticket: $5.22
- Ueno Park Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $6.53
- Harajuku: Audio Guide Tour of Takeshita Street: $6.53
- Akihabara (Tokyo): English Audio Guide Tour: $6.53
- Asakusa（Tokyo）: Smartphone Audio Guide Tour: $6.53
- Audio Guide Tour: Deeper Experience of Shinjuku Sightseeing: $6.53
- Ueno: Self-Guided Tour of Ameyoko and Hidden Gems: $6.53
- Shibuya Sightseeing with an Audio Guide: $6.53
- Tokyo Local Bar Hopping Tour in Shibuya: $6.53
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
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
- 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
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTokyo $33Santiago $8.41
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.91
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: $24
- 3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $52
- TOKYO | Temple, Shrine, Sake Bar Crawling: $63
- barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $85
- Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $91
- Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $104
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $106
- 【Harajuku】Night Pub Crawl with Local Japanese: $125
- Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
- Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $167
- Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
- Private tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and riverside walk.: $231
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
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- Private Tour: Undurraga Vineyard Experience with Premium Wine Tasting: $92
- 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
When comparing the travel costs between Tokyo and Santiago, we can see that Tokyo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Tokyo is in Asia and Santiago is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tokyo Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tokyo or Santiago?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Santiago. When comparing the sizes of Tokyo 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 Tokyo 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 Tokyo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Tokyo or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Tokyo during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Tokyo is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 26°C (78°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. Tokyo usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Tokyo gets 127 mm (5 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 JanuaryTokyo 26°C (78°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tokyo and Santiago. The autumn months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Tokyo is a little warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tokyo averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.
Tokyo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Tokyo gets 165 mm (6.5 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 AprilTokyo 18°C (64°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tokyo as well as Santiago. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
In the winter, Tokyo is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tokyo in January average around 5°C (42°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.
Tokyo usually gets less rain in January than Santiagoin July. Tokyo gets 45 mm (1.8 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 JulyTokyo 5°C (42°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Tokyo or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Tokyo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tokyo for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Tokyo is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Tokyo average around 14°C (58°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite rainy in Tokyo. In April, Tokyo usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Tokyo gets 125 mm (4.9 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 OctoberTokyo 14°C (58°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Tokyo
| Tokyo | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.