Which place is cheaper, Puerto Montt or Zurich?
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 Zurich or Puerto Montt?
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 Zurich and Puerto Montt. 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: Zurich or Puerto Montt?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
Puerto Montt
The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile.
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Zurich Prices
Switzerland PricesPuerto Montt Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $364Puerto Montt $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $364, while the average daily cost in Puerto Montt is $104. 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 Zurich and Puerto Montt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $197Puerto Montt $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $394Puerto Montt $122
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Puerto Montt
Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Puerto Montt? 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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Puerto Montt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $41Puerto Montt $6.42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- ZRH Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $42
- Zurich Airport ZRH Private Transfer to Zurich/Lucerne/Interlaken: $48
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich: $71
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $71
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich - Arrival Private Transfer: $80
- Zurich to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Private Transfer : $80
- Transfer from Zurich City Center to Zurich Airport (ZRH): $80
- Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $84
- Private Transfer from Zurich Hotels to Zurich Airport: $86
- Airport Transfer: Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Business Car: $99
- Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $99
- Zurich City to Zurich Airport one way Private Transfer : $102
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:
- Puerto Montt Departure Transfer from Hotel: $23
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
- Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel: $25
- Cruce Andino Office Transfer to or from Puerto Montt: $33
- Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $37
- Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas English private Guided Transfer: $40
- Puerto Tepual Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Arrival Transfer: $42
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) - Private Transfer: $42
- Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $47
- Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas Airport English private transfer: $50
- Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas: $50
- Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Puerto Montt?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Montt and Zurich 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 dayZurich $124Puerto Montt $37
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
- Zurich Food Tour of 10 Local Delicacies with Cheeses & Chocolates: $156
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zurich $41Puerto Montt $14
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $6.29
- Schaffhausen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.98
- Winterthur Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.98
- Zurich Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and city tour: $12
- The Dark Side of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
- Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $13
- Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $16
- Swiss National Museum Entry Ticket: $16
- Walking Tour with the Night Watchman: $19
- City Walking Tour Made in Zurich: $19
Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Montt are as follows:
- Private Tour of Puerto Montt with Stops : $38
- Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
- Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
- Explore Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Montt : $64
- Tour Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Jumps / English: $68
- Shore Excursion: Osorno Volcano Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $70
- Custom Tour of the Lakes Region in Chile: $80
- Osorno Volcano and National Park Shore Tour for Cruisers : $90
- Puerto Varas: Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas Private City Tour: $90
- Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $105
- Petrohué Falls Osorno Volcano Pto Varas Sightseeing Driver Only: $130
- Tagua Tagua Lake and Wild Patagonia Tour: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $34Puerto Montt $4.49
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Puerto Montt, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Montt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Montt 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Puerto Montt.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Puerto Montt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or Puerto Montt?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Puerto Montt. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Puerto Montt, 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 Zurich or Puerto Montt?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Puerto Montt is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Zurich has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Zurich or Puerto Montt in the Summer?
Both Puerto Montt and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Zurich is a little warmer than Puerto Montt in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 16°C (60°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Puerto Montt. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. Zurich usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Montt during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 204 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zurich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Puerto Monttin January. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZurich 21°C (70°F)Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Puerto Montt in the Autumn?
Both Puerto Montt and Zurich during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Zurich is a little warmer than Puerto Montt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Puerto Montt averages at about 11°C (51°F)in April.
In the autumn, Zurich often gets more sunshine than Puerto Monttin April. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 104 hours of full sun.
Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than Puerto Monttin April. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZurich 13°C (56°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Puerto Montt in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Puerto Montt. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. In January, Zurich is generally much colder than Puerto Monttin July. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°F), and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Puerto Montt during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Montt receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
Puerto Montt receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Zurich usually receives less rain than Puerto Monttin July. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 229 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZurich 3°C (37°F)Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Puerto Montt in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Puerto Montt. Many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty.
Zurich is around the same temperature as Puerto Montt in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Puerto Montt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in October.
In the spring, Zurich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Monttin October. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Montt receives 151 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Montt. Zurich usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Monttin October. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Montt receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZurich 12°C (53°F)Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Puerto Montt and Zurich
| Zurich | Puerto Montt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.