Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Bergen?
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 Bergen or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bergen 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: Bergen or San Juan?
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and a major tourist destination due to its proximity and easy access to the fjords in West Norway. The nature that surrounds the city is stunning, and you can easily hop into the nearby countryside for some incredible hikes and outdoor adventures. The city itself is well known for its music and art scenes, making it a cultural haven in the country. There are many reasons to visit Bergen, not the least of which is the people that live there. Bergen is the most hilly city within Norway. It is surrounded by the Seven Mountains, which restrict development and keep the city contained. Situated in the far west of Norway, Bergen can be reached by a very scenic seven hour train ride from Oslo.
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 10-Day Tours in Norway, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Norway.
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Bergen Prices
Norway PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBergen $144San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Bergen is $144, 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 Bergen and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBergen $74San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBergen $148San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Bergen and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Bergen 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: Bergen Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bergen $11San Juan $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bergen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bergen:
- Helicopter transfer Bergen - Rosendal: $4,438
- Powerboat transfer Bergen - Bekkjarvik: $3,943
- Helicopter transfer Bergen - Bekkjarvik: $3,943
- From Private Transfer to Gudvangen: $494
- From Private Transfer to Voss: $403
- TRANSFER, LUXURY VAN 1-7 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $257
- TRANSFER, LUXURY CAR 1-3 PAX: Bergen airport transfer: $200
- TRANSFER, LUXURY VAN 1-7 PAX: Bergen city transfer: $196
- Private Transfer - Hotels & Cruise Ports - Airport 1-14 pax: $175
- Private Transfer to Airport, City or Cruise Port: $171
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Airport BGO to Bergen by luxury minivan: $161
- TRANSFER, LUXURY CAR 1-3 PAX: Bergen city transfer: $156
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Premium Transfer in Airport, Hotel, Airbnb, Cruise: $25
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- San Juan hotels to San Juan PR Cruise Port - Departure Transfer: $30
- San Juan One-way Transfer - Cruise, SJU, Hotels, Airbnb: $30
- Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $56
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports: $66
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer in Puerto Rico: From Airports, Hotels, Cruises: $71
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Bergen or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Bergen 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 dayBergen $58San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bergen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bergen.
- Ulriken Enjoy a 5-course dinner with panoramic views: $162
- Bergen Food Tour: $174
- Half Day Fishing and Outdoor Cooking in Bergen: $225
- Guided Fishing Tour with Outdoor Cooking: $262
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:
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
- FlyDining: Sunset & City Lights Dinner Over Old San Juan: $165
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Cooking and Connecting with a Local in Puerto Rico: $173
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bergen $18San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Bergen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bergen are as follows:
- 1 hour Tour for Herdla Walking: $103
- 2 Hour Shared Walking Tour of Bergen: $3.57
- 3-Hour Private Norwegian Hiking Experience with Local Guide: $145
- 3-Hour Private Tour Hiked through the Bergen Mountains: $167
- Audio Walking Tour in Bergen Famous Ghosts Location : $9.75
- Bergen Day Tour to National Park Folgefonna and Glacier Lake: $225
- Bergen Floibanen Funicular Ticket: $31
- Bergen Magical Nature Tour | ViFlowExperience: $243
- Bergen Mostraumen Fjord Cruise with Local Guide: $86
- Bergen Private Walking Tour: $325
- Bergen Private Walking Tour of Historic Sites: $256
- Bergen Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Tour: $9.51
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.
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Eco Friendly Farming Tour to Explore Dorado's Most Beautiful Farm: $20
- Discover Superb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $23
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $32
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – VIP SmallGroup Tour: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Heritage Skip-the-Line Tour: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBergen $7.56San 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
- The Pinones Pub crawl Bar crawl : $70
- Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bergen and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Bergen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bergen 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 Bergen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bergen 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 Bergen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bergen Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bergen or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Bergen. When comparing the sizes of Bergen 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 Bergen or San Juan?
Bergen 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 Bergen or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bergen as well as San Juan. The summer months attract visitors to Bergen because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the summer, Bergen is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bergen in July average around 15°C (58°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
Bergen receives a lot of rain in the summer. Bergen usually gets more rain in July than San Juan. Bergen gets 148 mm (5.8 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 JulyBergen 15°C (58°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Bergen or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Bergen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bergen this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Bergen is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Bergen average around 9°C (48°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. It's quite rainy in Bergen. In October, Bergen usually receives more rain than San Juan. Bergen gets 271 mm (10.7 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 OctoberBergen 9°C (48°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bergen or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Bergen during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bergen 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 Bergen. Bergen is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Bergen averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bergen. Bergen usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Bergen gets 190 mm (7.5 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 JanuaryBergen 2°C (35°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Bergen or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bergen and San Juan. Many visitors come to Bergen in the spring for the small town charm. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Bergen is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bergen in April average around 6°C (43°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
Bergen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bergen usually receives more rain than San Juan. Bergen gets 114 mm (4.5 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 AprilBergen 6°C (43°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Bergen
| Bergen | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (35°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 2°C (35°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 4°C (38°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (56°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (58°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 283 mm (11.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (48°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 259 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 235 mm (9.3 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.