Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Alesund?
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 Alesund or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Alesund or San Juan? 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: Alesund or San Juan?
Alesund
Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.
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Alesund Prices
Norway PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAlesund $143San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Alesund is $143, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $218. 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 Alesund and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAlesund $62San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAlesund $124San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Alesund and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Alesund or San Juan? 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 Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Alesund $30San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alesund
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alesund:
- Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Olden Port: $225
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Andalsnes Port: $213
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Andalsnes Port: $213
- Private Transfer To OR From Airport in Ålesund: $189
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Olden Cruise Port: $165
- Aalesund Private Transfer from Aalesund (AES) Airport to City centre: $162
- Private Transfer from Alesund city hotels to Maloy Cruise Port: $160
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Maloy Cruise Port: $160
- Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund hotels-Round Trip Transfer: $104
- Private Transfer from Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund Port: $52
- Alesund Vigra Airport (AES) to Alesund - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU)- Departure Transfer: $29
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $63
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $65
- Private Transfer Airport SJU to Old San Juan Vice versa One way: $65
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Private Transfer in San Juan: $75
- Private Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce Cruise Port: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Alesund or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Alesund 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 dayAlesund $61San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FlyDining: 4 Course Sunset & City Light Dinner Over Old San Juan: $159
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Alesund $19San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Alesund
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:
- Ålesund - Geiranger - Ålesund Sightseeing Roundtrip: $216
- Ålesund Two Hour Walking City Tour: $48
- 3 Hour Guided Food Walk Tour in Alesund, Norway: $157
- Alesund Shore Excursion: The Atlantic Highlights Tour: $152
- Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour: $140
- Alesund Walking Tour Art Nouveau and Postcard Views: $74
- Trollstigen, Troll Wall & Romsdal Alps Day Tour: $178
- All About the Fjords in One Tour by Boat and Bus from Ålesund: $173
- All About the Fjords in One Tour by Bus and Boat from Ålesund: $172
- Alnes Lighthouse, Sunnmøre Museum, Aksla and City Sightseeing: $139
- E-bike And Hiking Tour In Ålesund: $194
- Experience Molde with Coach Travel: $149
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- The Ultimate Self-Guided Hidden Gems Tour in Puerto Rico: $5.00
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Old San Juan Tour in Spanish: $30
- Paddleboard Adventure: Explore Marine Life in Condado Lagoon: $32
- SJU Airport to San Juan Cruise Port or return: $33
- VIP San Juan Salsa Night Experience at Luxury Condado Beach: $35
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $45
- Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- 1 Hour Bull Maze Adventure at Toroverde Urban Park San Juan: $45
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – SmallGroup Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAlesund $14San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
- Puerto Rico Tobacco Farm and Local Brewery Tour: $109
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour!: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alesund and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Alesund much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Alesund is in Europe and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Alesund would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alesund 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 San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan than you might in Alesund.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alesund Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Alesund or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Alesund. When comparing the sizes of Alesund and San Juan, 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 Alesund or San Juan?
Alesund has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Alesund or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Alesund as well as San Juan. The summer months attract visitors to Alesund because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Alesund is much colder than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Alesund averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Alesund usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Alesund gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAlesund 12°C (54°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Alesund or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Alesund are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Alesund this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Alesund is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alesund in October average around 9°C (48°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. It's quite rainy in Alesund. In October, Alesund usually receives more rain than San Juan. Alesund gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAlesund 9°C (48°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Alesund or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Alesund during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Alesund. In January, Alesund is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Alesund average around 3°C (37°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Alesund. Alesund usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Alesund gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAlesund 3°C (37°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Alesund or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alesund and San Juan. Many visitors come to Alesund in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Alesund can get quite cold in the spring. Alesund is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Alesund averages around 5°C (40°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In April, Alesund usually receives more rain than San Juan. Alesund gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAlesund 5°C (40°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Alesund
| Alesund | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 3°C (38°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (40°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 8°C (46°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (48°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.