Which place is cheaper, Santiago or San Carlos de Bariloche?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Carlos de Bariloche 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 San Carlos de Bariloche 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: San Carlos de Bariloche or Santiago?
San Carlos de Bariloche
Set in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina, San Carlos de Bariloche is the biggest city in the Lake District. Bariloche is popular for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and trekking, swimming, fishing and horseback riding in the summertime.
No matter the time of year, there is something for everyone in Bariloche. Skiing season begins from June to October while fishing season is from November to April. Summer is from December to March, but visiting during low seasons (Spring in October to December and Autumn in late-April to mid-June) also has its benefits when it comes to saving cash and avoiding crowds.
Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.
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 Eco Tours in Argentina, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Argentina, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
-
San Carlos de Bariloche Prices
Argentina PricesSantiago Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Carlos de Bariloche $86Santiago $150
The average daily cost (per person) in San Carlos de Bariloche is $86, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $150. 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 San Carlos de Bariloche and Santiago in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Carlos de Bariloche $70Santiago $109
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Carlos de Bariloche $140Santiago $218
Compare Hotels in San Carlos de Bariloche and Santiago
Looking for a hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche 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: San Carlos de Bariloche Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Carlos de Bariloche $2.77Santiago $5.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Carlos de Bariloche:
- Bariloche: BRC Airport to City Centre|Hotel Private Transfer: $14
- Bariloche: 1-Way or Round-Trip BRC Airport Transfer: $19
- Airport transfer - downtown hotel car up to 3 people: $23
- Bariloche Airport Arrival Shuttle Transfer: $25
- Shared Transfer Airport Bariloche Downtown : $25
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bariloche Airport: $29
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Tambo Viejo: $39
- Private Transfer from Downtown Bariloche to the Airport: $43
- Bariloche Airport Round Trip Shuttle Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer Bariloche Center Cerro Catedral or vice versa: $48
- Private Transfer from Playa Bonita to Bariloche (BRC) Airport: $50
- Private Transfer from Bariloche (BRC) Airport to Lago Moreno: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
-
Metro Ride$1.13
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 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
- Private Transfer from Airport to Santiago, Chile : $43
- Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $45
- Transfer to Snowy Valley fullday for skiers : $49
Is it cheaper to fly into San Carlos de Bariloche or Santiago?
Prices for flights to both Santiago and San Carlos de Bariloche 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 daySan Carlos de Bariloche $6.11Santiago $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Carlos de Bariloche
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Carlos de Bariloche.
- Bariloche: Snowmobile ride with dinner 4 steps: $537
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
-
Empanada$1.88
-
Hamburger$2.50
-
Dinner$26
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.San Carlos de Bariloche $33Santiago $47
Tours and Activities in San Carlos de Bariloche
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Carlos de Bariloche are as follows:
- Circuito Chico Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide: $25
- Bariloche: Cerro Catedral Tour: $36
- Bariloche: Circuito Chico, iconic postcards of Bariloche in a single tour: $36
- Bariloche: German Immigration and History Walking Tour: $41
- German Footprint & Nazi presence - Walking Tour in Bariloche: $41
- Indigenous People of Patagonia History Tour: $41
- Bariloche: Cerro Catedral guided tour: $43
- Bariloche Chocolate Tour: Patagonian Flavors on Foot: $52
- Small Circuit Tour: Mt Campanario and Llao Llao Peninsula: $55
- Cerro Lopez Zipline Adventure from Bariloche: $56
- Pablo Bernasconi's Art Gallery Guided Tour: $60
- Canopy Half-Day Tour in Bariloche: $60
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 daySan Carlos de Bariloche $8.76Santiago $8.40
Sample the Local Flavors in San Carlos de Bariloche
Also in San Carlos de Bariloche, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bariloche: Patagonian Experience wine tasting: $95
- Bariloche: Wine Tasting Winehouse Experience: $110
- Patagonian WineHouse in Bariloche: Cheese and Wine Tasting: $125
- Bariloche: Bar Crawl. Patagonian Bar Crawl: $160
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 San Carlos de Bariloche and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is San Carlos de Bariloche much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Carlos de Bariloche would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Carlos de Bariloche 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago than you might in San Carlos de Bariloche.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Carlos de Bariloche Expensive? and Is Santiago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Carlos de Bariloche or Santiago?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of San Carlos de Bariloche. When comparing the sizes of San Carlos de Bariloche 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.
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.