Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Santiago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Santiago can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Santiago?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, 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 dayZanzibar $51Santiago $143
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, 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 Zanzibar and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Santiago $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Santiago $222
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Santiago $5.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar transfer and taxi services: $15
- Departure Private Transfer from Island to Zanzibar Airport ZNZ by Standard Van: $17
- Zanzibar Airport Transfer ( Tax) To Stone Town: $19
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Private Transfer from Abeid Amani Karume Airport to Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $21
- Zanzibar Airport transfers and Taxi services: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
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 Zanzibar or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Zanzibar 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 dayZanzibar $17Santiago $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Half-Day Kuza Cave Swimming Adventure and Cooking Class: $13
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
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.Zanzibar $13Santiago $48
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Africa's Paradises Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
- Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
- Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Stone Town tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
- Stone town walking tour ( City tour): $23
- Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
- Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $25
- Zanzibar Tours & Taxi Services : $25
- Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25
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 dayZanzibar $6.86Santiago $8.51
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30
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
- Colchagua Premium Wine Tour from Santiago: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa 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 Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar or Santiago?
Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Santiago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In July, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 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 JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Santiago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Santiago. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Zanzibar gets 66 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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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Santiago in the Winter?
Both Santiago and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santiagoin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 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 JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Santiago in the Spring?
Both Santiago and Zanzibar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 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 OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.