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

Should you visit Turku or Santiago?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku 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: Turku or Santiago?

Turku

Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland, straddles the Aura River. Dating from the 13th century, it's known for Turku Castle, a medieval fortress with a history museum, perched at the river mouth. Restaurants line the cobbled riverside streets. On the eastern bank lies the Old Great Square, a former trade hub, surrounded by grand buildings. The nearby Turku Cathedral houses a royal tomb and a museum. The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the Finnish capital, and contemporary Turku is full of experimental art and vibrant festivals, thanks in part to its spirited university population (the country's second largest), who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriving by ferry from Sweden and Aland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.

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 Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Turku?

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 Turku is €159, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €129. 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 Turku and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Turku €76
    Santiago €94
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Turku €152
    Santiago €188
Compare Hotels in Turku and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Turku 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 Turku


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: Turku Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Turku €44
    Santiago €4.63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku

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

  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $83
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $83

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    €0.97

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
  • Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $270
  • Private Transfer Between Santiago and Cruise Port: $270
  • 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 Santiago Airport SCL to Vina Concon Valparaiso: $250
  • Private Cruise Transfer : Santiago → Valparaiso or San Antonio: $239
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier: $229
  • Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Transfer: $229

Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Turku 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
    Turku €56
    Santiago €19

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    €1.61
  • Hamburger
    €2.14
  • Dinner
    €22

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: $56
  • Mercado Meals Santiago Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
  • 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
  • Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
  • Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation 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
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Turku €22
    Santiago €40

Tours and Activities in Turku

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

  • Järvelä Sauna Experience in the Turku Archipelago: $18
  • Experience Turku with a local guide: $274

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
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $27
  • 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
  • 1 Day Undurraga Vineyard Tour from Santiago: $120
  • 1 Day Valparaiso and Vina del Mar Tour from Santiago: $51
  • 2 Day Santiago Old and Modern City Contrasts Private Tour: $260
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $30
  • 6 Hour Tour of Culture, History and Flavors from Santiago: $75
  • A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago (Standard): $290
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Turku €12
    Santiago €7.19

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
  • Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $45
  • Tour Viña Santa Carolina in Santiago with 3 wine tasting: $53
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $55
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
  • Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $65
  • Valparaíso and Vineyard of the Sea with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $68
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Santiago, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Turku 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 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 Turku would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Turku 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 Turku Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Turku or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku 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 Turku 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 Turku has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Turku or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Turku during the summer are popular places to visit.

Turku is cooler than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

Turku usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Turku 16°C (61°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Turku or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Santiago.

In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

In October, Turku usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Turku 6°C (43°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Turku or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Turku as well as Santiago.

Turku can be very cold during winter. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Turku usually gets less rain in January than Santiagoin July. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Turku -6°C (20°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Turku or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

The weather in Turku can be very cold. Turku is much colder than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

In April, Turku usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Santiago and Turku

Turku Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)