Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Vang Vieng?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Vang Vieng or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng or Santiago?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $18Santiago $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $18, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $159. 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 Vang Vieng and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.17Santiago $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.34Santiago $232
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.06Santiago $5.72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vang Vieng Private Transfer: Hotel - Railway Station - Vientiane: $11
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$1.20
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 from Santiago or Santiago Airport to Colchagua or Santa Cruz: $300
- Private Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
- Private Santiago, Visit Santa Rita Winery & Transfer to Hotel: $300
- Private Transfer Between Santiago and Cruise Port: $270
- City Tour Santiago with Exclusive Guide + Private Transfer: $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 from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to San Antonio: $253
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11Santiago $24
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.99
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Hamburger$2.65
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Dinner$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $57
- 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 Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
- Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.68Santiago $50
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng: $50
- Vang Vieng Zipline & Kayaking Cave Adventure: $50
- BBQ Lunch Cruise on Nam Ngum Lake: $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vang Vieng Day Tour: Zipline, Water Cave, Kayak & Blue Lagoon 3: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
- Vang Vieng Jungle Day Tour: $58
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour of Isla Negra Algarrobo and Viña Undurraga from Santiago: $112
- 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
- 1 Day Undurraga Vineyard Tour from Santiago: $120
- 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $30
- 6 Hour Tour of Culture, History and Flavors from Santiago: $75
- A City Tour Walking through the Unforgettable Santiago: $26
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- A Private Tour of Santiago with an Experienced Local Guide: $162
- A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago: $238
- Adega Montes Guided Tour with Private Transportation: $300
- Adventure in Portillo: Laguna del Inca and Mountain Picnic: $100
- All Santiago in One Day: Private Guided Tour: $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.09Santiago $8.89
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
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $45
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $59
- Wine Tasting + Cheeseboard + Gypsum Reservoir: $60
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia 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 Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng or Santiago?
Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Vang Vieng during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Vang Vieng is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 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 JanuaryVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round.
Vang Vieng is much warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.
In October, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 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 AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Santiago. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.
Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in January than Santiagoin July. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 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 JulyVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year.
In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 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 OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.