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

Should you visit Munich or Santiago?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Munich or Santiago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Munich or Santiago?

Munich

Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and a top travel destination within Germany. It has stunning architecture and a cultural scene that rivals Berlin. It has some of the country's top museums, festivals, and concerts. Munich is most famous for its Oktoberfest, which is easily the busiest time of year in the city. The architecture is what surprises most travelers. It's quite impressive and truly adds to the character of the city. Although much of Munich was destroyed during World War II, the city has successfully rebuilt most of the buildings in their previous style. Much of the city remains as it was in the 1800s. There are two major research universities in Munich, helping to make it a center for engineering, business, and the sciences.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, The Best Walking Tours in Germany, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Munich?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Munich is €168, 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 Munich and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Munich 89
    Santiago 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Munich 178
    Santiago 186
Compare Hotels in Munich and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Munich 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 Munich


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: Munich Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Munich 19
    Santiago 4.60
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Munich

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


  • Single Zone Trip on Subway
    2.30
  • Inner District Subway Day Pass
    5.20
  • City transport day ticket
    11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Munich:

  • Airport Transfer by Bus: $15
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Munich Central Station to Munich Airport: $16
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Munich Airport to Munich Central Station: $16
  • Arrival Transfer from Munich Train Station to Munich by Sedan: $66
  • Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Van: $71
  • Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Car: $81
  • Munich Airport (MUC) to Erding Thermal - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
  • Arrival Transfer from Munich Airport to Munich City by Sedan: $108
  • Private Departure Transfer from Munich to Munich Airport by Sedan: $108
  • Munich to Munich Airport (MUC) - Departure Private Transfer: $111
  • Munich Airport (MUC) to Munich - Arrival Private Transfer: $111
  • Munich Airport (MUC) Private Transfer to Munich City/Hotels: $112

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:

  • Airport Transfer and Halfday City tour Santiago de Chile: $362
  • Airport Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
  • Airport transfer between Santiago city center and Arturo Merino Benítez Airport: $51
  • Arrival Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago de Chile: $80
  • City tour santiago with excursion to valparaiso and airport transfer: $150
  • Departure Transfer: Santiago to Airport SCL by Business Car: $87
  • From Viña Santa Rita Tour w/Transfer: $120
  • Luxury Airport Private Transfer SCL: $90
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour, Concha y Toro, Private Transfer from Santiago: $262
  • Private Round Trip Transfer from Santiago Airport SCL to Santiago: $96
  • Private Round Trip Transfer on Santiago Of Chile City: $68
  • Private Santiago Visit Haras de Pirque Winery & Transfer Hotel: $300

Is it cheaper to fly into Munich or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Munich 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
    Munich 47
    Santiago 19
Typical Food Prices in Munich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Munich:


  • Bratwurst
    5.00
  • Leberkässemmeln (Veal & Pork Sandwich)
    1.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munich

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Munich.

  • Flavors of Bavaria: A Self Guided Food Tour in Munich: $20
  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Viktualienmarkt Gourmet Food Tour: $51
  • Culinary Haidhausen - The Food Tour: $52
  • 3-Hour Food Tour Through Schwabing in German: $63
  • 3-Hour Food Tour Through Haidhausen in GERMAN: $63
  • Munich Food Tour : True Bavarian Full Meal with Drinks: $70
  • Beer and Food Tour with Dinner & Oktoberfest Museum: $85
  • Food Tour Beer- 3 small beers & "Brotzeit" in GERMAN: $87
  • Munich Old Town Food Tour with 10+ Bavarian Specialties: $110
  • Old Town Food Tour with 10+ Tastings, Beer & Pretzel: $115
  • The original horror dinner - a deliciously creepy comedy: $116

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.
    Munich 29
    Santiago 40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Munich

Here are a few typical costs in Munich for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Schack Gallery Entrance
    4.00
  • Munich Zoo Entrance
    9.00
  • Pub Crawl Munich Tour
    14
  • Neuschwanstein Castle (2)
    24

Tours and Activities in Munich

Here are a few actual costs in Munich for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Virtual Tour 360 Video Octoberfest Munich with Wolfgang: $3.52
  • Munich Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.41
  • Munich Olympiapark Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.41
  • Munich Beer Halls and Baroque Old Town Self Guided Tour: $6.94
  • Friendship Quest in Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure: $7.17
  • Munich Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.37
  • Munich Self-Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Audio City Tour in Munich: $9.58
  • Munich Exploration Private Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.61
  • Munich’s Third Reich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Munich Through the Centuries: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Munich Old Town, Restaurants, Food Self-Guided Tour Booklet: $12

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $9.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $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
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Munich 37
    Santiago 7.15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Munich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Munich:


  • Hofbrauhaus
    12

Sample the Local Flavors in Munich

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

  • Exclusive Brewery Tour & Tasting of 4 Organic Beers: $31
  • Munich's Original Pub Crawl: $34
  • Private Pub Crawl with Free Beer and Shots: $35
  • English Guided Brewery Tour in Munich beertasting 4 beers: $41
  • Guided tour and beer tasting in the middle of the Hadern brewery: $42
  • South Tyrolean specialties and wine tasting: $46
  • Old Town Beer and Pub Tour (4 beers): $65
  • Beer and Pub Tour with Tasting Portions: $69
  • Aschheim: Distillery Tour with Tasting and Buffet: $81
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $316
  • Private pub crawl with insider-guide & free shots: $317
  • Bachelor party Pub crawl & party for your bachelor party: $423

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Munich and Santiago, we can see that Munich is more expensive. And not only is Santiago much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Munich 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 Munich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Munich 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 Munich Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Munich or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Munich. When comparing the sizes of Munich 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 Munich 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 Munich has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Munich or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Munich and Santiago. Many travelers come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Munich is generally around the same temperature as Santiagoin January. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 20°C (68°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In July, Munich usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Munich gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Munich 20°C (68°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Munich or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Munich as well as Santiago. Many visitors come to Munich in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Munich is cooler than Santiago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Munich averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in April.

Munich usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Munich gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Munich 11°C (52°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Munich or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago and Munich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Munich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Munich can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Munich is much colder than Santiago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Munich in January average around -1°C (31°F), and Santiago averages at about 9°C (48°F)in July.

In January, Munich usually receives less rain than Santiagoin July. Munich gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Munich -1°C (31°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Munich or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Munich during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Munich because of the activities around the city.

In April, Munich is generally cooler than Santiagoin October. Daily temperatures in Munich average around 11°C (53°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Munich usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Munich gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Munich 11°C (53°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Munich

Munich Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (31°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 11°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 19°C (65°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 20°C (68°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 20°C (68°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 17°C (62°F) 60 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 6°C (42°F) 52 mm (2.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 1°C (33°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)