Is Santiago expensive to visit?
In Santiago, budget travelers spend $56 (CL$53,069) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $150 (CL$143,669) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $446 (CL$426,214) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Santiago.
Santiago is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
If you're not cautious, Santiago can become costly, but you can save with strategies like looking for discounts and coupons.
Within South America, Santiago is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in South America for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Santiago is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Santiago Expensive?
Santiago, Chile
How much money do I need for a trip to Santiago?
The average Santiago trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Santiago travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Santiago cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people think they can visit Santiago on a tight budget, but most travelers aren't comfortable with a low "shoestring" budget. Think about what you enjoy during your vacations and how you typically travel. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you want to visit museums, sights, and participate in activities? Is dining out a priority? These factors will shape both your budget and your itinerary.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $56 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Santiago is packed with plenty of hostels, including La Chimba Hostel, Hostal Forestal, and Hostal Providencia. At hostels like these, you can enjoy affordable dorm accommodation and a lively social scene, but amenities might be quite minimal.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. Most visitors to Santiago will want to visit Plaza de Armas, Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, or Cerro San Cristóbal. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $150 per person, per day.
There's a wide selection of hotels and vacation rentals in Santiago. If you're traveling with others, sharing a hotel room with a partner, friend, or kids will help split costs and save money. When traveling as a family, look for hotels and restaurants that welcome children. Hotel Vegas is a great choice for kids, and Hotel Boutique Castillo Rojo is another wonderful option. For a lovely couples' retreat in Santiago, Hotel Posada Farellones is the ideal place to stay. For more family and couple-friendly places to stay, check out our Santiago hotel costs guide.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're used to premier amenities and elevated service, prepare to spend about $446 per day. Choosing comfortable hotels, dining at award-winning establishments, indulging in extravagant excursions, and relying on taxis or private drivers to explore the destination will demand a higher price range. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Authentic Andes Adventure: Private Horse Riding and Cheese & Wine - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Santiago
In Santiago, hotel prices can swing drastically. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury, but come at a cost, especially in peak season when prices are higher. Off-season prices are more reasonable, averaging $70, but during peak season they jump to an average of $131. You can find budget options starting at $42 up to luxury rates at $239. Hostels are typically cheaper, especially dorms. Book early and avoid peak season to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Santiago for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $219 (CL$209,070). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $109 (CL$104,535) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Santiago? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Santiago include:
- Hotel Boutique Castillo Rojo starting at $94
- Hotel Boutique Le Reve starting at $127
- Hotel Eco Boutique Bidasoa starting at $132
- Hotel Pettra Santiago starting at $99
- DoubleTree by Hilton Santiago - Vitacura starting at $83
Traveling during the shoulder or low season (instead of ) means you'll get lower prices on accommodations and have fewer crowds to deal with.
Transportation Budget in Santiago
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $5.41 (CL$5,166) per person, per day, on local transportation in Santiago. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Santiago is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$5.41
CL$5,166
Public transportation is the best way to travel around Santiago. If you're going to be in town for at least a few days then it's worth purchasing a bip!card. You can pick them up at any subway station and they can be used on both the subway and the bus, with free transfers during a two hour period. The metro and bus systems combine to make an efficient system for traveling around the city. The metro system has five lines and 94 stations. The buses are modern and reliable. If you plan to ride a bus at all during your stay, then you will be required to have a bip!card to pay for the ride, as cash is not accepted. If you're planning to travel outside of Santiago, having a rental car can be very helpful. Chilean Rent a Car is a decent company with reliable cars.
A few of the typical transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Transfer to Snowy Valley fullday for skiers for $49 details
- Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago for $83 details
- Transfer Parque Farellones Fullday 50%OFF for $59 details
How much does it cost to go to Santiago? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Santiago will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Listed below are some transit expenses in Santiago, taken from reports by other travelers. These costs offer a snapshot of transportation prices in the city to give you an idea of what to expect. Keep in mind that your costs may differ, especially if you opt for more expensive options like taxis, which typically cost more than public transportation.
Food Budget in Santiago
Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Santiago can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Santiago is $23 (CL$21,556) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$23
CL$21,556
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Santiago is around $23 (CL$21556) per person, with previous travelers spending from $8 to $70. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Santiago are as follows:
- Breakfast: $2 to $7
- Lunch: $3 to $9
- Dinner: $7 to $16
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $3
There are plenty of restaurants and bars all around town. You can generally make a good guess at the price and style based on the restaurant's neighborhood location. Food options generally include South American, European and seafood options among others. In the area surrounding Plaza de Armas there are a handful of great Peruvian restaurants. This area has become a popular gathering place for Peruvian immigrants and they have opened a variety of shops, food stores, and great restaurants. Outdoor cafes are also common around town and can be enjoyable places to grab a drink and relax a little.
Numerous hotels offer breakfast as part of the room rate, but some might charge extra for it. The cost and quality can differ from one hotel to another. Being aware of this beforehand can help you determine if you need to allocate additional funds. It could be worth it for a fantastic buffet at the hotel, or you might want to opt for a nearby bakery or cafe that's more budget-friendly.
Bring a water bottle instead of buying beverages everywhere. It helps the environment, too.
If you're thinking about taking a tour, it's wise to check in advance which meals are covered. You may need to cover some of your own food costs, which could increase your overall budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Santiago, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol for $184 details
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes for $40 details
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home for $122 details
Listed below are typical food prices in Santiago, based on the actual spending of previous travelers. These figures provide an estimate of what you might expect to pay for meals. However, your personal expenses will depend on your dining preferences, the restaurants you choose, and what you decide to order.
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Empanada
CL$1,800
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Hamburger
CL$2,390
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Dinner
CL$24,620
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Santiago
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Santiago typically cost an average of $47 (CL$45,160) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$47
CL$45,160
Some of the most popular sights include:
- Plaza de Armas (Free)
- Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago (Free)
- Cerro San Cristóbal (Free)
- Pueblito Los Dominicos (Free)
- Santa Lucía Hill (Free)
- Costanera Center for CLP 9000
- La Moneda Palace (Free)
- Parque Bicentenario (Free)
- Parque Quinta Normal (Free)
- Parque Forestal (Free)
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino for CLP 4000
- Centro Cultural Palacio de La Moneda (Free)
- Museum of Memory and Human Rights (Free)
Santiago has no shortage of sights. Notable landmarks around the city include La Chascona, La Moneda Palace, Teatro Municipal, Iglesia y museo de San Francisco, and Palacio Cousino. Museums and cultural centers include Centro Cultural Palacio de La Moneda, Centro Cultural Matucana 100, Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral, Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, and Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos. Parks are also abundant around town. Some of the best are Parque Metropolitano, Parque Forestal, Cerro Santa Lucia, and Parque Bicentenario. Plaza de Armas is the city's main plaza. This is where you'll find the national cathedral and the main post office. It's near the Central Market and has some interesting restaurants nearby.
Santiago is conveniently located near many activities. This makes it a perfect base for day trips outside of town. There are a range of outdoor sports that you can enjoy just a short drive away including mountain climbing and skiing. There are also wineries that you can tour. Other activities in town include city food tours, shopping, and organized bike tours. Perhaps the most enjoyable activity is simply walking around the city's neighborhoods and taking in the personality. There is a diverse and fun vibe to many neighborhoods so it's fun to just throw out your itinerary and soak up the atmosphere.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Santiago. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago for $240 details
- Mountain Bike Experience from Chile for $289 details
- Private San Cristobal Hill Mountain Bike Tour for $139 details
Santiago, Chile
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.