Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Zagreb?
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 Zagreb 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 Zagreb 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: Zagreb or Santiago?
Zagreb
Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.
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 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Zagreb Prices
Croatia PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagreb €89Santiago €128
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is €89, while the average daily cost in Santiago is €128. 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 Zagreb and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagreb €48Santiago €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb €96Santiago €186
Compare Hotels in Zagreb and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Zagreb 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: Zagreb Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagreb €9.11Santiago €4.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Bus transfer from/to Rijeka: $14
- From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $17
- Direct bus Transfer from/to Split: $26
- Premium Private Transfer to or from Zagreb Airport : $27
- Zagreb Airport One Way Private transfer To or From Airport: $29
- Zagreb Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Zagreb to Zagreb Airport (ZAG) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
- Transfer between Zagreb Airport and Zagreb Downtown Hotels: $36
- Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb Airport - Zagreb: $44
- CO2-Offset Arrival Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG / Zagreb City: $51
- Zagreb Airport: One-Way Private transfer To/From Airport: $57
- Zagreb Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $62
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€0.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
- Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
- Arrival Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago de Chile: $80
- City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
- Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
- From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
- Luxury Airport Private Transfer SCL: $90
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago: $96
- Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $68
- Private Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Zagreb or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Zagreb 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 dayZagreb €29Santiago €19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Food Tour with Tastings: $104
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $106
- Bite Back in Time: Zagreb's Food Tour Spiced with History : $131
- Zagreb Food Tour: Bite into Traditional Dishes and Flavors: $140
- Croatian cuisine cooking class with Dolac market tour: $155
- Zagreb Walking Food Tour - Sightseeing - Dolac market visit: $161
- Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $184
- PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $201
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada€1.60
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Hamburger€2.13
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Dinner€22
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: $82
- 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
- Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
- Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zagreb €12Santiago €40
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Searching for Love in Romantic Exploration Game and Tour: $5.95
- Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $7.02
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $8.19
- Monuments to Modernism: An Audio Tour of the Zagreb Trade Fair: $8.99
- Cravaticum - Museum of The Cravat Entry Ticket: $9.36
- Chocolate Museum Entry Ticket: $12
- Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $14
- VR 3D Immersive Film Experience - Voucher: $14
- City and WWII Tunnels Walking Tour: $18
- Zagreb Time Travel – Discover Zagreb with a fun interactive tablet city tour!: $18
- City & History Walking Tour & WW2 Tunnels: $18
- Jump into Walking Tour with local guide: $21
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $9.00
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
- Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
- Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZagreb €8.92Santiago €7.15
Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb
Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl, 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks, & Club Entry: $34
- Zagreb Pub Crawl 1Hour of Unlimited Drinks Club Entry: $35
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $35
- Taste Zagreb Heritage Wine Tasting with Traditional Lunch: $106
- Hrastje Plešivičko Wine Tasting Day Trip: $176
- From Samobor Highlights & Wine Tasting in Plešivica: $183
- Castle & Wine Tasting - Private Day Trip from Zagreb: $274
- Private Wine Tour from Two Local Wineries & Samobor : $285
- Fairytale Castle & Wine Tasting & Lunch: $286
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
- Undurraga Wine tour: $70
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
- Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
- Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagreb and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Zagreb much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zagreb 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 Zagreb would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagreb 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 Zagreb.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagreb Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zagreb or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Zagreb. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb 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 Zagreb 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 Zagreb has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Zagreb or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zagreb and Santiago. The summer months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Zagreb is around the same temperature as Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
In July, Zagreb usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Zagreb gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZagreb 22°C (72°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zagreb as well as Santiago. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.
In the autumn, Zagreb is cooler than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zagreb in October average around 13°C (55°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
Zagreb usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Zagreb gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZagreb 13°C (55°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Zagreb are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Zagreb. In January, Zagreb is generally much colder than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Zagreb average around 1°C (35°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In January, Zagreb usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Zagreb gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZagreb 1°C (35°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Zagreb or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Zagreb during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zagreb in the spring for the activities around the city.
Zagreb is cooler than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
Zagreb usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Zagreb gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZagreb 13°C (55°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Zagreb
| Zagreb | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (35°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (71°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.