A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubrovnik vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dubrovnik or Santiago?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Santiago? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Dubrovnik or Santiago?

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.

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 Split, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Dubrovnik?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Dubrovnik Prices
    Croatia Prices
    Santiago Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Dubrovnik 121
    Santiago 128

The average daily cost (per person) in Dubrovnik is €121, 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 Dubrovnik and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dubrovnik 50
    Santiago 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dubrovnik 100
    Santiago 186
Compare Hotels in Dubrovnik and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Dubrovnik 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.

Hotels in Dubrovnik


Hotels in Santiago


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: Dubrovnik Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dubrovnik 12
    Santiago 4.60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:


  • Bus Around Town
    1.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik

Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Shared Airport Transfer to/from City Center: $18
  • Lokrum Island Transfer with Panoramic Cruise from Dubrovnik: $18
  • Lopud Island Boat Transfer: $23
  • Sveti Jakov Beach Boat Transfer: $23
  • Koločep Island Boat Transfer: $23
  • Private transfer from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik city: $24
  • Dubrovnik to Koločep Island Ferry: Scenic Transfer: $24
  • Dubrovnik to Lopud Island Ferry: Scenic Transfer: $24
  • Return transfer to Dubrovnik airport: $27
  • Convenient Bus Transfer from/to Split: $29
  • Private return transfer to Dubrovnik airport: $30
  • From Dubrovnik Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Dubrovnik: $30

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    0.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Private Scenic Transfer to Mendoza.: $467
  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Private Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300
  • Private Transfer San Antonio Cruise from Santiago to Valparaiso: $300
  • Transfer Santiago to Cruise Port in Valparaiso or San Antonio: $290
  • Transfer Private hotel to Cruise ship in Puerto San Antonio or Valparaiso: $270
  • Santiago de Chile : private transfer in SUV to Viña del mar or Valparaíso: $270
  • Private Transfer to Sewell UNESCO Andes Town Tour with Lunch: $269
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
  • Private Transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport to Viña del Mar: $261
  • Private Transfer From Santiago airport to San Antonio Pier or Valparaiso Pier : $251
  • Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santo Domingo - Round-Trip Transfer: $240

Is it cheaper to fly into Dubrovnik or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Dubrovnik 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dubrovnik 57
    Santiago 19
Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:


  • Seafood Dinner (for 2)
    29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik

For Dubrovnik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sunset Dinner Cruise around the Old Town: $82
  • Gastro Cruise | Dinner and Boat ride around Dubrovnik Old Town: $93
  • Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik - Dine 50m above ground: $101
  • Dinner in the Sky Dubrovnik: $114
  • Secret Food Tours in Dubrovnik: $118
  • Secrets of traditional Dalmatian cuisine with a cooking class: $140
  • Croatian Traditional Cuisine: Peka Cooking Lesson: $143
  • Old Town Food Tour: $157
  • Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $168
  • Eat Like A Local On A Food Tour: $180
  • Authentic Garden to Table Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside : $208
  • Konavle Wine& History&food Tour: $226

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    1.60
  • Hamburger
    2.13
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dubrovnik 19
    Santiago 40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik

For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)
    13
  • Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)
    53
  • Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)
    45

Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.

  • Selfguide® Secrets Tour Dubrovnik with Game of Thrones Spots: $3.57
  • Self Guided Private Tour of Dubrovnik's Best Kept Secrets: $3.58
  • Time Traveler’s Trail: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure in Dubrovnik: $5.99
  • Dubrovnik Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $6.67
  • Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour with Audioguide: $8.34
  • Old Town Highlights Tour with Audio Guide: $9.36
  • Love Stories Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $11
  • Red History Museum Regular Ticket: $11
  • Skip the Line: Love Stories Museum Admission Ticket: $11
  • Museum of Selfies & Illusions Dubrovnik Ticket: $11
  • A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town: $12
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Private Half-Day Guided Tour of the City of Santiago.: $280
  • Private Sightseeing City Tour in Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: $240
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $26
  • 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
  • 4 Hour Santa Rita Winery All inclusive Tour for Wine Lover: $269
  • 6 Hour Tour of Culture, History and Flavors from Santiago: $75
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago : $240
  • A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
  • An Architect's Tour of Downtown Santiago: $55
  • Andean Adventure: Cajón del Maipo & Santuario del Río Spa: $132
  • Andean Horse Ride Yerba Loca Sanctuary - Private tour from Santiago: $240

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dubrovnik 14
    Santiago 7.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:

  • Dubrovnik Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting : $42
  • Panoramic Dubrovnik Tour Golden Hour Sunset and Wine Tasting: $46
  • Sunset and Wine / Dubrovnik Sunset Tour and Premium Wine Tasting : $54
  • Brewery Tour with Food included: $66
  • Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $70
  • Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $72
  • Sunset Wine Tasting At Panorama Point: $74
  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Xperience: $80
  • Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $83
  • Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $83
  • Luxury Sunset Tour with Wine Tasting: $84
  • Wine Tour - Get to know local grapes: $84

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 comparing the travel costs between Dubrovnik and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Dubrovnik is in Europe and Santiago is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubrovnik Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dubrovnik or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and Dubrovnik during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Dubrovnik is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Dubrovnik average around 25°C (77°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Dubrovnik usually gets more rain in July than Santiagoin January. Dubrovnik gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Dubrovnik 25°C (77°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubrovnik and Santiago. The autumn months attract visitors to Dubrovnik because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Dubrovnik is a little warmer than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubrovnik averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.

Dubrovnik gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Dubrovnik usually receives more rain than Santiagoin April. Dubrovnik gets 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Dubrovnik 18°C (64°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dubrovnik as well as Santiago. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Dubrovnik this time of year.

In the winter, Dubrovnik is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubrovnik in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.

Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the winter. Dubrovnik usually gets more rain in January than Santiagoin July. Dubrovnik gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Dubrovnik 9°C (48°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Dubrovnik or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Dubrovnik are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dubrovnik for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Dubrovnik is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Dubrovnik average around 14°C (57°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. In April, Dubrovnik usually receives more rain than Santiagoin October. Dubrovnik gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Dubrovnik 14°C (57°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 9°C (48°F) 139 mm (5.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 125 mm (4.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 75 mm (3 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 26 mm (1 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 101 mm (4 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 14°C (57°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 178 mm (7 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)