With 4.84 million inhabitants, Santiago is the most populous city in Chile. It is the most popular tourist destination in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Santiago has to offer.
If you’re looking for affordable options, Restaurante Estro (L Alcalde #15) and Vikingos (166 Av. Ricardo Cumming) are great picks.
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Santiago in January, when the average temperature is 21 °C, and the highest can go up to 29 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is June, when it can get as cold as 3 °C, with an average temperature of 8 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in June, when precipitation is around 70 mm. In contrast, January is usually the driest month of the year in Santiago, with an average rainfall of 0 mm.
When flying to Santiago, you’ll arrive at Santiago Airport (SCL), which is located 8 miles from the city centre. The shortest flight to Santiago from New Zealand departs from Auckland and takes around 11h 05m.
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Santiago, including Bus, Pluss Chile and Andesmar Chile. From La Serena, the bus ride to Santiago takes 315 miles and will cost you around $57. From Concepción, the ticket costs about $47 for a journey of 360 miles. The most popular bus station is Santiago Terminal Sur, located 2 miles from the city centre of Santiago. Santiago Terminal los Heroes is also a commonly used station, and is 0.3 miles from the city centre.
From 5-star hotels such as the NH Collection Plaza Santiago to great affordable options like the Best Western Estacion Central, Santiago offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $104 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $310 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Gatos de campo and Santa Maria Express. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Santiago, with prices from $45 to $382 per night. Historic Center is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Santiago are about 46% cheaper than a hotel room in the city.