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

Should you visit Santiago de Compostela or Santiago?

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

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela 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: Santiago de Compostela or Santiago?

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela is the capital city of northwest Spain's Galicia region. Its famous cathedral marks the culmination of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route, and is the alleged burial site of the apostle himself. The pilgrimage route begins in the Pyrenees, 500 miles away, though travelers can decide to join the journey at certain points in between, depending on how far they want to walk and how much they want to see.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or Santiago de Compostela?

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

  • Santiago de Compostela Prices
    Spain Prices
    Santiago Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santiago de Compostela 105
    Santiago 128

The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago de Compostela is €105, 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 Santiago de Compostela and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santiago de Compostela 37
    Santiago 93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santiago de Compostela 74
    Santiago 186
Compare Hotels in Santiago de Compostela and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela


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: Santiago de Compostela Hotel Prices and Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santiago de Compostela 38
    Santiago 4.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago de Compostela

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago de Compostela:

  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $56
  • Departure Private Transfer Santiago de Compostela to SCQ Airport by Business Car: $66
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from SCQ Airport to City centre: $68
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer from the city centre to SCQ Airport: $68
  • Airport Transfer Santiago de Compostela: $82
  • Santiago de Compostela Private Transfer to SCQ Airport by Van: $102
  • Private Transfer from Santiago city hotels to La Coruna Port : $156
  • Private Transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Porto with Tour: $209

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 Santiago de Compostela or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and Santiago de Compostela 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
    Santiago de Compostela 34
    Santiago 19
Typical Food Prices in Santiago de Compostela

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Santiago de Compostela:


  • Raspberries
    3.50
  • Ice Cream
    2.00
  • Cookie
    1.00
  • Kebab
    7.25
  • Dinner & Tapas (for 2)
    28
  • Tuna Empanada
    3.50
  • Fruit Shake
    3.50
  • Crepe
    4.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago de Compostela

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago de Compostela.

  • Santiago Food Tour Tapas Drinks and Delights with a Local: $106

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.
    Santiago de Compostela 39
    Santiago 40

Tours and Activities in Santiago de Compostela

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

  • Santiago de Compostela Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.16
  • Stroll Through History in Santiago: Quest Experience: $7.20
  • Secrets of Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Guided Tour of the Old Town with an Official Guide: $14
  • Land of Legends and Meigas Tour: $14
  • Santiago de Compostela Hidden City Walking Tour: $18
  • Queimada Experience Show and Tasting at Santiago de Compostela: $18
  • Guided tour of Bodegas Granbazán: $22
  • Guided Tour Cathedral tickets included with Optional Portico: $24
  • Guided Tour Santiago Cathedral, Museum and Old City: $31
  • Santiago de Compostela Historic Walking Tour in Small Group: $32
  • Tapas Tour of Santiago de Compostela: $42

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
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $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
    Santiago de Compostela 23
    Santiago 7.15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santiago de Compostela

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Santiago de Compostela from other travelers:


  • 1 Pint Beer
    2.00

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago de Compostela

Also in Santiago de Compostela, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience: $35

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 Santiago de Compostela and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Santiago de Compostela much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santiago de Compostela 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 de Compostela would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela.

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


Which is Bigger, Santiago de Compostela or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Santiago de Compostela. When comparing the sizes of Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela 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 Santiago de Compostela has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Santiago in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago de Compostela and Santiago. Most visitors come to Santiago de Compostela for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

In July, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. Santiago de Compostela gets 25 mm (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
    Santiago de Compostela 19°C (66°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Santiago in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Santiago de Compostela as well as Santiago. The autumn months attract visitors to Santiago de Compostela because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Santiago de Compostela is around the same temperature as Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santiago de Compostela in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

Santiago de Compostela receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. Santiago de Compostela gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Santiago de Compostela 16°C (61°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Santiago in the Winter?

Both Santiago and Santiago de Compostela are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santiago de Compostela this time of year.

In January, Santiago de Compostela is generally a little warmer than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in Santiago de Compostela average around 11°C (51°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Santiago de Compostela. In January, Santiago de Compostela usually receives more rain than Santiagoin July. Santiago de Compostela gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Santiago de Compostela 11°C (51°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Santiago de Compostela or Santiago in the Spring?

Both Santiago and Santiago de Compostela during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Santiago de Compostela for the natural beauty.

Santiago de Compostela is cooler than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in Santiago de Compostela averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

Santiago de Compostela usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. Santiago de Compostela gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Santiago de Compostela 13°C (55°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 11°C (51°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 11°C (52°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 15°C (58°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 25 mm (1 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 19°C (65°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 11°C (52°F) 128 mm (5 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)