How much does a trip to Chile cost?
A structured breakdown of flights, lodging, transport and food for a 18-day trip to Chile at three budget levels.
6 min read · Updated 2026-08-01
Chile sits in the mid-range band on the ground. These are planning estimates, not quotes.
Daily spend per person
- Budget — about $55 a day
- Mid-range — about $130 a day
- Comfortable — about $320 a day
A 18-day trip, excluding flights
Multiply the daily figures out and a 18-day trip lands near these totals per person.
- Budget — around $990
- Mid-range — around $2,340
- Comfortable — around $5,760
Flights
Flights are not included in these estimates. Fares move far more than on-the-ground costs, so check live prices from your departure city before you commit.
Where the money actually goes
Transport between places is the line item most people underestimate. In Chile that usually means domestic flights are essential — santiago to punta arenas is over 3,000km
Easy savings
Travel in November, December rather than the busiest weeks, base yourself in fewer towns to cut transfer days, and book accommodation just outside the headline neighbourhoods.
Recommended destinations
Where to go in Chile
Santiago
Andes-backed capital with strong food, museums and wine valleys within an hour.
Explore Santiago
San Pedro de Atacama
Desert village at 2,400m — geysers, salt flats, altiplano lagoons and world-class night skies.
Explore San Pedro de Atacama
Torres del Paine
Patagonia's signature park — granite towers, glaciers and the W and O treks.
Explore Torres del Paine
Valparaíso & Viña del Mar
UNESCO-listed port of painted hills and funiculars, next to a mainstream beach resort city.
Explore Valparaíso & Viña del MarRelated guides
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