Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Zagreb?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagreb $82Santiago $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagreb is $82, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $143. 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 $51Santiago $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagreb $102Santiago $222
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 $9.69Santiago $5.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:
- Bus transfer from/to Rijeka: $7.00
- From Plitvice Lakes Round-Trip Comfort Bus Transfer: $16
- Zagreb to Franjo Tudman Airport(ZAG) - Departure Private Transfer: $16
- Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $20
- Zagreb Airport: One-Way Private transfer To/From Airport: $20
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $32
- Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG) to Zagreb-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
- Luxury Private Transfer Zagreb - Zagreb Airport: $40
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $43
- Zagreb Airport(ZAG) to Moravske Toplice- Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer from Zagreb Train or Bus Station to Zagreb City by car or van: $47
- Arrival Private Transfer from Zagreb Airport ZAG to Zagreb City by Business Car: $47
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$1.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Private Departure Transfer from Santiago- Santiago Airport (SCL): $27
- Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
- Arrival Private Transfers : Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago in Luxury Van: $85
- 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: $68
- Departure Private Transfers : Santiago to Santiago Airport SCL in Luxury Van: $85
- Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
- From Farellones Roundtrip Transfer: $35
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones with Transfer: $72
- Luxury Airport Private Transfer SCL: $90
- Pick up 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 $18Santiago $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
- Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
- Private Authentic Croatian Cooking Class in Central Zagreb: $114
- Zagreb Walking Food Tour - Sightseeing - Dolac market visit: $137
- Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
- PRIVATE Half-Day Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Zagreb With Locals: $196
- Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $958
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.91
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Hamburger$2.54
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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.
- Traditional Chilean Show with Dinner and Private Transportation in Santiago: $107
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
- Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $116
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $117
- Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zagreb $13Santiago $48
Tours and Activities in Zagreb
Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Nikola Tesla Technical Museum Ticket: $4.31
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Skip-the-Ticket-Line Museum of Broken Relationships: $7.53
- Zagreb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $9.69
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Zagreb's Old Town: Walking In-App Audio Tour(ENG): $11
- Small-Group Walking Highlights Tour: $16
- Group walking tour of Zagreb (funicular included): $17
- City Walking Tour with Funicular Ride & WW2 Tunnels: $18
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
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- La Paz from the Heights: Down hill Walking tour & Cable Cars: $12
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
- Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
- Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
- Walking tour through Santiago: $26
- From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
- The Essentials City Tour & Optional Concha y Toro: $30
- Half Day tradicional city Tour: $30
- TOUR PANORAMICO VALLE NEVADO Y FARELLONES: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZagreb $9.49Santiago $8.51
Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb
Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
- Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
- Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
- Private Zagreb Walking Tour and Wine Tasting From Zagreb: $103
- Taste Zagreb Heritage Wine Tasting with Traditional Lunch: $179
- Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $199
- Fairytale castle & delicious wine tasting and lunch: $202
- Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $208
- Castles & Wine Tasting - Private Day Trip from Zagreb: $235
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
- Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
- Undurraga Wine tour: $63
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
- Private Tour: Santa Rita Vineyard with Wine Tastings: $72
- From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
- half day wine tour to concha y toro from Santiago seasonal offer: $95
- From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
- Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
- Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
- Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
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.