Is Santiago expensive to visit?
Santiago is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $150. Compared to the rest of South America, it is a somewhat more expensive place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in South America for its overall travel costs, comparable to places like Puerto Varas and Recife.

Santiago, Chile
How expensive is Santiago?
On average, visitors spend about $150 per day when visiting Santiago (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $301 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Santiago here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Santiago?
A weekend trip to Santiago costs about $451 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $903.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Santiago?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Santiago costs around $1,053 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,106.

Santiago, Chile
Is it expensive to backpack in Santiago?
Santiago is a popular backpacker destination with more than 30 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $16 per night. (See hostel prices in Santiago here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $34 and the cheapest around $3 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Santiago.
- $12 for a dorm bed at La Chimba Hostel
- $17 for a dorm bed at Hostal Forestal
- $19 for a dorm bed at Hostal Providencia
Are hotels expensive in Santiago?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Santiago, it becomes apparent that they are very affordable in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $70 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 11 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $132 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $70 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $35 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Santiago
Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
---|---|---|
5 stars | 11 | $132 |
4 stars | 40 | $94 |
3 stars | 103 | $70 |
2 stars | 20 | $35 |
1 star | 5 | $67 |
No rating | 2 | $43 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Santiago?
Activities and things to do in Santiago can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $47 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $26.
Name | Price | |
---|---|---|
Plaza de Armas | Free | more info |
Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago | Free | more info |
Cerro San Cristóbal | Free | more info |
Pueblito Los Dominicos | Free | more info |
Santa Lucía Hill | Free | more info |
Costanera Center | CLP 9000 | more info |
La Moneda Palace | Free | more info |
Parque Bicentenario | Free | more info |
Parque Quinta Normal | Free | more info |
Parque Forestal | Free | more info |
Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino | CLP 4000 | more info |
Centro Cultural Palacio de La Moneda | Free | more info |
Museum of Memory and Human Rights | Free | more info |
- A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago : $240
- Mountain Bike Experience from Chile: $289
- Private San Cristobal Hill Mountain Bike Tour: $139
- Santiago Walking Tour LGBT+: $65
- City tour Santiago on electric scooter, nature and city: $83
- Santiago Tour Journey Through the Heart of the City: $31
- Santiago sunset adventure on an electric scooter tour: $68
- Exclusive-Casablanca-Wine-tours-Three lunch options: $100
Is food expensive in Santiago?
Food in Santiago can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $23 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $38. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
- Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago with Wine Pairings : $228
- Viña Concha y Toro Nocturno: Dinner Show: $186
- Santiago: Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
Is transportation expensive in Santiago?
The prices of local transportation in Santiago can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $5 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $15. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Santiago
If you're planning a trip to Santiago, Chile, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.