Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Valparaiso?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, The Best Budget Tours to Chile, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayValparaiso $68Santiago $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Valparaiso is $68, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $144. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personValparaiso $36Santiago $112
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomValparaiso $72Santiago $224
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Valparaiso $4.95Santiago $5.54
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:
- Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $76
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago hotels: $82
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Port to Santiago Airport (SCL): $82
- 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: $107
- Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
- Private Transfer from San Antonio Port to Valparaiso or Viña del Mar.: $133
- Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
- Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
- Valparaiso Airport Private Transfer: $184
- Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $240
- World Biggest Organic Winery Emiliana, Valparaiso & Transfer : $250
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$1.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
- Arrival Private Transfers : Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago in Luxury Van: $86
- Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
- Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Business Car: $69
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $86
- From Farellones Roundtrip Transfer: $28
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $72
- Ignacio P.García International Airport to Hermosillo - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $167
- Pick up Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Airport Transfer to/from Portillo Ski Resort: $190
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
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Food Meals for one dayValparaiso $23Santiago $13
Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:
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Empanada$1.93
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.
- 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:
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Empanada$1.93
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Hamburger$2.56
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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.
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $130
- Private Tour: Santiago at Night with Dinner and Show: $131
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $131
- Viña Concha y Toro Nocturno: Dinner Show: $137
- 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
- Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago with Wine Pairings : $168
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Valparaiso $19Santiago $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso
Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Tour$4.29
Tours and Activities in Valparaiso
Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Valparaiso Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $32
- Valparaiso : Private Custom Tour with A Guide (Private Tour): $33
- 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
- Walking Tour of Valparaiso and the House of Neruda La Sebastiana: $39
- Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
- 3-Hour Bike Tour along the Coast of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso: $55
- Private walking tour in Valparaíso: $55
- Valpo in 1 day: Authentic + Famous! Semi-private walking tour & public transport: $60
- Private City Tour of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar: $65
- Private Tour in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: $89
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
- Best of Santiago a Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.98
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $10
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $10
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Undurraga Sibaris Tour Ticket: $22
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $24
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- History Walking Tour in Chile: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayValparaiso $7.98Santiago $8.61
Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Beer$1.02
Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:
- Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $166
- Isla Negra Museum Tour & CasaBlanca Wine Tour: $289
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $50
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Private Tour: Santa Rita Vineyard with Wine Tastings: $72
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $85
- Portillo Andes Mountain Range with Inca Lagoon and Wine Tasting: $89
- 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
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.
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.