A Travel Price Comparison for Chile Valparaiso vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso 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: Valparaiso or Santiago?

Valparaiso

Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.

Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.

Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.

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, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile, and The Best Adventure Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Valparaiso?

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

  • Valparaiso Prices
    Chile Prices
    Santiago Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Valparaiso $80
    Santiago $146

The average daily cost (per person) in Valparaiso is $80, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $146. 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 Valparaiso and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Valparaiso $34
    Santiago $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Valparaiso $68
    Santiago $212
Compare Hotels in Valparaiso and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso


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: Valparaiso Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Valparaiso $4.67
    Santiago $5.23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:

  • Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
  • Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
  • Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
  • Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago hotels: $156
  • Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
  • Private Transfer from Valparaiso Port to Santiago Airport (SCL): $202
  • Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $230
  • Pick up at the Pier and Valparaiso -Viña del Mar and transfer to the Airport: $269

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

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


  • Metro Ride
    $1.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Arrival Private Transfers : Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago in Luxury Van: $92
  • Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
  • Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $32
  • City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
  • Cruise-ship passengers: transfer to Santiago/Chile: $180
  • Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car: $74
  • Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $92
  • Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
  • Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $37
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago: $146

Is it cheaper to fly into Valparaiso or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Valparaiso 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
    Valparaiso $37
    Santiago $22
Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:


  • Empanada
    $1.82

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso

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

  • Private Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $68
  • Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.82
  • Hamburger
    $2.42
  • Dinner
    $25

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
  • Winery Alyan Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $112
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $158
  • Night Tour of the Devil's Locker with Dinner in Shell and Bull: $172
  • Casillero del Diablo Night Tour with Dinner in Concha y Toro: $172
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
  • Chilean Folklore Show and Dinner with Private Transport: $189

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Valparaiso $18
    Santiago $46
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso

Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Boat Tour
    $4.05

Tours and Activities in Valparaiso

Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • The Tour of Valparaiso in French on foot and in a small group: $16
  • Valparaiso Highlights Walking Tour with A Guide : $31
  • Valparaiso : Private Custom Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $31
  • Valparaiso Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $32
  • Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
  • 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
  • Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $35
  • Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
  • Guided Tour Viewpoints Elevators and Hills of Valparaiso: $45
  • Walking Tour of Valparaiso and the House of Neruda La Sebastiana: $52
  • Private walking tour in Valparaíso: $53
  • Valpo in 1 day: Authentic + Famous! Semi-private walking tour & public transport: $60

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $10
  • Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $10
  • 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $10
  • Santiago Center Walking Tour: $12
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • Walking City Tour: $20
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $23
  • Guided Walking Tour through the Historic Center: $23
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $24
  • Gastronomic Experience Chilean Flavors: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Valparaiso $7.53
    Santiago $8.13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:


  • Beer
    $0.96

Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:

  • Valparaiso Wine Tour to Casablanca: $176
  • Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $250

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Traditional Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Official English: $24
  • Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
  • Concha y Toro Full Master Edition: Wine Tasting Included: $56
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $58
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
  • Premium Wine Tasting in Santiago de Chile: $77
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Concha y Toro | City tour Santiago & Concha y Toro Wine tour: $80
  • From Santa Rita Vineyard Tour with Wine Tastings: $89
  • half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95


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

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


Which is Bigger, Valparaiso or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Valparaiso. When comparing the sizes of Valparaiso 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.