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

Should you visit Vilnius 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 Vilnius 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: Vilnius or Santiago?

Vilnius

Vilnius is the capital and largest city in the country of Lithuania. It has a population of more than 500,000 residents and is located in the valley between the Neris River and the Vilnia River in the southeastern part of the country. Visitors come to the city for its beautiful Old Town, impressive architecture, and fascinating culture. In 2009 it was named the European Capital of Culture along with the city of Linz, in Austria.

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 from Vilnius, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Vilnius?

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 Vilnius is €117, 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 Vilnius and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vilnius €41
    Santiago €94
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vilnius €82
    Santiago €188
Compare Hotels in Vilnius and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Vilnius 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 Vilnius


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: Vilnius Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vilnius €7.26
    Santiago €4.63
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vilnius

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


  • Train to Airport
    €0.80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vilnius

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vilnius:

  • Trakai Tour with Audio Guide and Minibus Transfers: $35
  • Private Vilnius Airport Departure Transfer: $40
  • Vilnius Airport Private Transfer: $40
  • Vilnius Private 1-Way Airport Transfer: $69
  • Kaunas Airport Private Transfer from Kaunas to Vilnius: $170
  • Hot air balloon flight Vilnius Trakai with Transfer and Shampagne: $206
  • Premium Hot Air Balloon Flight Over Trakai (transfer included): $212
  • Jewish Heritage Sites Private Tour with Transfer: $230
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride with Hotel Transfer: $288
  • From Private Transfer to Riga with Sightseeing: $448
  • From Suburbs Hot Air Balloon Ride w/ Hotel Transfer: $749

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 Transfer to/from Santiago Airport (SCL): $15
  • SCL Airport Private Transfer ⇄ Santiago/Providencia/Las Condes: $18
  • Private Transfer to Santiago Airport (SCL): $24
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Airport (SCL): $24
  • Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $30
  • Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
  • Private Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago: $40
  • Private Airport Transfer: Santiago Airport SCL to Hotel: $40
  • Santiago de Chile Airport Transfer: $40
  • Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $42
  • Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
  • Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $42

Is it cheaper to fly into Vilnius or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Vilnius 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
    Vilnius €63
    Santiago €19
Typical Food Prices in Vilnius

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


  • Dinner for Two
    €13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vilnius

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

  • Zeppelin Cooking Class: $113
  • Traditional Lithuanian Cooking Class with Locals: $114
  • Folk Show and Lithuanian Traditional Dinner: $980

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.
    Vilnius €9.57
    Santiago €40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Vilnius

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Vilnius are as follows:


  • Walking Tour
    €5.79

Tours and Activities in Vilnius

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

  • Vilnius Self-Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
  • Vilnius Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.29
  • Secrets of Old Vilnius Smartphone App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $7.50
  • History Loop with Audio and Quiz at Vilnius Self-Guided Tour: $8.01
  • Iron Wolf to Gate of Dawn Self Guided Tour of Vilnius: $8.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Vilnius Old Town Core: $10
  • Audio Tour of the South Part of the Vilnius Old Town: $10
  • Live guide tour via WhatsApp - Vilnius Ghetto: $11
  • Vilnius Walking Tour Pagans and Pioneers: $11
  • Audio Tour of Vilnius Old Town Core: $12
  • The Old Town of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Presidential Palace Guided Tour in Vilnius: $13

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: $11
  • Historical Sights Walking Tour: $15
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • History Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $21
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • Santiago Sightseeing Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $25
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $25
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial portugués: $27
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $27
  • City Tour Santiago - Walking Tour: $29
  • Guided Walking Tour through the Historic Center: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vilnius €6.08
    Santiago €7.19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Vilnius

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Vilnius from other travelers:


  • Beer
    €4.34

Sample the Local Flavors in Vilnius

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

  • Vilnius Private Pub & Bar Crawl Tour & Hidden Gems: $61
  • Pub Crawl with Welcome Drink and Traditional Snacks: $91
  • Wine Tasting Experience with Sommelier: $444

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
  • 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
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $75


When comparing the travel costs between Vilnius and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Vilnius is in Europe and Santiago is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Vilnius. When comparing the sizes of Vilnius 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 Vilnius 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 Vilnius has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Vilnius or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the family-friendly experiences.

Vilnius is cooler than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around 18°C (65°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

In July, Vilnius usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Vilnius gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Vilnius 18°C (65°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Vilnius or Santiago in the Autumn?

Both Santiago and Vilnius during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year.

In the autumn, Vilnius is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vilnius in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

Vilnius usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Vilnius 8°C (46°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Vilnius or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Santiago. Many travelers come to Vilnius for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Vilnius. In January, Vilnius is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around -5°C (23°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Vilnius usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Vilnius -5°C (23°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Vilnius or Santiago in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Santiago. Many visitors come to Vilnius in the spring for the natural beauty.

Vilnius is much colder than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

Vilnius usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Vilnius gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Vilnius 7°C (45°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Vilnius

Vilnius Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb -4°C (26°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 1°C (33°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 18°C (65°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 13°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 8°C (46°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)