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

Should you visit Tromso or Santiago?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tromso and Santiago can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Tromso or Santiago?

Tromso

The city of Tromso, in northern Norway, is named after the island of Tromsoya, on which it stands. Tromso is located 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. From September to March many people come to Tromso to see the northern lights. From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock. In general, Tromso has a mild climate for such a northerly destination because of its seaside location and the warming effect of the Gulf stream. The area has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat local food.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Norway, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Tromso?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tromso is $87, 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 Tromso and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tromso $34
    Santiago $112
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tromso $68
    Santiago $224
Compare Hotels in Tromso and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Tromso 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 Tromso


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: Tromso Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tromso $11
    Santiago $5.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tromso

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

  • Private Transfer Tromso Airport TOS to Tromso City: $82
  • Private Airport and City Transfer in Tromso: $112
  • Highway to Heaven - Aurora Cable Car Transfer in Tromsø: $128

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    $1.16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $467
  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Private Transfer to Ski Centers: $299
  • Santiago de Chile: Private Transfer to San Antonio / Port: $270
  • Private Transfer to Sewell UNESCO Andes Town Tour with Lunch: $269
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
  • Private cruise transfer: Puerto San Antonio or Valparaíso ↔ Santiago: $260
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to San Antonio: $255
  • Private Transfer Santiago Airport SCL to Vina Concon Valparaiso: $250
  • Private Santiago, Visit Concha y Toro Winery and Transfer: $250
  • Portillo and Laguna Del Inca, Exclusive Guide and Private Transfer: $250
  • Private Transfer San Antonio Cruise from Santiago to Valparaiso: $250

Is it cheaper to fly into Tromso or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Tromso 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
    Tromso $45
    Santiago $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tromso

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

  • Tromso Aurora Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $215
  • Small Group Tromsø: Northern Lights Chase with Photos and Dinner: $237

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.94
  • Hamburger
    $2.57
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tromso $6.92
    Santiago $49

Tours and Activities in Tromso

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tromso.

  • Discover Tromsø: A Self-Guided Tour: $3.52
  • A Tromsø Introduction: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Tromso Walking Tour with Treasure Hunt and Arctic Cathedral Visit: $70
  • Evening tour: Sledding, mini skiing, lasso and reindeer hides: $75
  • Tromsø: Northern Lights Adventure with Expert Guides and Photos: $96
  • 1 Hour Photo & History Cruise: $96
  • Wilderness Daytime Experience at Camp Tamok: $102
  • Northern Lights Guided Bus Tour with Free Photos: $107
  • Arctic Nature Tour from Tromsø with Scenic Sommarøy picnic: $116
  • Tromsø: Exclusive Fjord Adventure by Bus: $119
  • Tromsø Sledding and Bonfire Experience with Snacks: $119
  • Tromsø Arctic Fjords Adventure Tour with Local Lunch: $123

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
  • 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
  • 1 Day Valparaiso and Vina del Mar Tour from Santiago: $51
  • 2-Hour Walking Tour of Yungay The Coolest Neighborhood in Chile: $35
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $30
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
  • Adventure in Portillo: Laguna del Inca and Mountain Picnic: $100
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tromso $5.74
    Santiago $8.62

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 Tromso and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Tromso much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tromso 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 Tromso would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tromso 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 Tromso.

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


Which is Bigger, Tromso or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Tromso. When comparing the sizes of Tromso 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 Tromso 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 Tromso has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Tromso or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Tromso during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tromso this time of year.

In July, Tromso is generally much colder than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Tromso average around 12°C (54°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Tromso usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Tromso gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Tromso 12°C (54°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Tromso or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tromso and Santiago. Many travelers come to Tromso for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tromso. Tromso is much colder than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tromso averages around 3°C (37°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.

Tromso gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tromso usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Tromso gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Tromso 3°C (37°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Tromso or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tromso as well as Santiago. Many visitors come to Tromso in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Tromso can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Tromso is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tromso in January average around -4°C (25°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.

Tromso usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santiagoin July. Tromso gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Tromso -4°C (25°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Tromso or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Tromso are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tromso for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Tromso can be very cold during spring. In April, Tromso is generally much colder than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Tromso average around 1°C (33°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In April, Tromso usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Tromso gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Tromso 1°C (33°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Tromso

Tromso Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -4°C (25°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb -4°C (25°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 1°C (33°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 5°C (41°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 10°C (49°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 12°C (54°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 11°C (51°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 3°C (37°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov -1°C (31°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec -3°C (27°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)