Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Malaga 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 Malaga 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: Malaga or Santiago?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Malaga Prices
Spain PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €165Santiago €128
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €165, 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 Malaga and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Santiago €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Santiago €186
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Santiago €4.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Transfer from Malaga City Center to Malaga Airport (AGP): $33
- Transfer from Malaga airport to malaga city,marbella,banus,etc: $42
- Private One Way Airport Transfer from Malaga to Malaga Airport: $44
- Private One Way Airport Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga: $44
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Departure Transfer: $50
- Benalmadena: AGP Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $51
- Arrival Transfer from Malaga airport AGP to Malaga City by Sedan: $55
- Private Transfer from Malaga Cruise Port to Málaga Airport (AGP): $56
- Private Transfer from Malaga hotels to Malaga Cruise Port: $56
- Private Malaga Transfer: Cruise Port to Central Malaga and Costa del Sol: $56
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $59
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga Fuengirola or Marbella: $60
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€0.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Santiago Airport (SCL) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $18
- Santiago de Chile Airport Private Transfer: $25
- Official Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $27
- Private Transfer to Santiago Airport (SCL): $28
- Private Transfer from Santiago Airport (SCL): $28
- Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Santiago APT-HTL (SCL): $30
- Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
- Airport Private Transfer to/from Santiago de Chile: $40
- Transfer Santiago de Chile airport: $40
- Farellones Full Day Roundtrip Transfer: $40
- Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €60Santiago €19
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Authentic Flamenco Dinner Show at Restaurant VinoMio: $8.81
- Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $38
- Málaga: Morning Guided Food Tour: $68
- Malaga Atarazanas Market Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $71
- Dinner and Show at Alegría Flamenco & Restaurant in Malaga: $72
- Málaga: Spanish Cooking Workshop with Paella and Sangria: $78
- Malaga Food Tour with Tapas & Drinks with a Local: $84
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $84
- Pedregalejo Food Tour: Explore Malaga's most iconic quarter: $87
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $87
- Authentic Paella Cooking Class with Sangría: $88
- Málaga: Tapas, Wine & Rooftops Small Group Food Tour: $94
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada€1.60
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Hamburger€2.13
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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
- 4-hour Boozy Chilean Cooking class in Santiago: $85
- Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
- Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
- Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
- San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
- Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Santiago €40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Alcazaba to Picasso: Málaga’s Best in a Self-Guided Tour: $1.17
- Malaga Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.58
- Malaga's historic center: Self-guided tour created by a local Official Guide: $4.70
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.78
- Essential Round Self-guided tour created by a local Official Guide: $4.78
- Guided Walking Tour of the Old Town of Frigiliana: $5.97
- Ronda Old Town Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.35
- Malaga Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Málaga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.55
- Malaga City Center's Architecture: A Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $10
- Málaga: Picasso Birthplace Museum Ticket & City Audio Guide: $11
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
- Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $9.00
- Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
- A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
- Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
- Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
- Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
- Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
- Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
- Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
- Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26
- "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Santiago €7.15
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Málaga: Pub Crawl Málaga Madness: $14
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $19
- Visit the Oldest Winery of Malaga and Wine Tasting: $23
- C/Echegaray 5 Málaga center: Malagueño Massage: Massage + Wine Tasting: $65
- Ronda Wine Tasting with Tapas in a Scenic Vineyard: $66
- Málaga: Traditional Andalusian Tapas and Wine Tour: $77
- Discover the Hidden Gems of Natural Wine Tasting Tours: $99
- White Village, Vineyard, and Wine Tasting Wine Tour: $106
- Flamenco, Tapas, and Wine Tour: $110
- OLIVE OIL & WINE TOUR Organic fields - 5 Wines + 3Olive Oils: $112
- Caminito Del Rey and Wine Tasting from Malaga: $114
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $118
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
- Santiago by Night: Funicular, Wine Tasting & Cueca Show: $69
- 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
- Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
- Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
- Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Santiago, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga 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 Santiago would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga than you might in Santiago.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga 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 Malaga has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Malaga or Santiago in the Summer?
Both Santiago and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Malaga is a little warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Santiagoin January. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 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 JanuaryMalaga 25°C (77°F)Santiago 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Santiago in the Autumn?
Both Santiago and Malaga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.
In the autumn, Malaga is a little warmer than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.
Malaga usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 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 AprilMalaga 19°C (67°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Santiago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Santiago. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In January, Malaga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santiagoin July. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 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 JulyMalaga 12°C (54°F)Santiago 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Santiago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Santiago. Many visitors come to Malaga in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Malaga is around the same temperature as Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.
Malaga usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 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 OctoberMalaga 16°C (60°F)Santiago 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Santiago and Malaga
| Malaga | Santiago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (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.