Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Bratislava?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bratislava or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bratislava or San Jose? 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: Bratislava or San Jose?
Bratislava
The capital and largest city of Slovakia, Bratislava is set on the shores of the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. While the city is skirted by mountains and vineyards, its 18th century old town center is crossed with cobbled walkways and surrounded by historic landmarks and architecture. One such monument is the Bratislava Castle, set atop a hill overlooking it all-the old town, the river, and the bustle of people in the charming city below.
San Jose
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and is likely to be your first and last stop in a visit to the country. The city is situated in the Central Valley and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and valleys, making for a beautiful flight in. The city has an elevation of 1200 meters and sits on a plateau with a beautiful backdrop of lush green forest. Half of the people in Costa Rica reside in the country's capital city. You are likely to stay only a day or two, but there are a handful of things to do and see including museums and markets. You will also find many embassies, as well as the University of Costa Rica in San Jose.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovakia, The Best River Cruises in Slovakia, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBratislava €122San Jose €80
The average daily cost (per person) in Bratislava is €122, while the average daily cost in San Jose is €80. 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 Bratislava and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBratislava €49San Jose €43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBratislava €98San Jose €86
Compare Hotels in Bratislava and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Bratislava or San Jose? 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: Bratislava Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bratislava €26San Jose €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:
- Vienna Airport VIE to Bojnice Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $133
- Private transfer from Bratislava to Vienna: $267
- Private Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest, English-speaking driver: $139
- Private Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest with 2h of Sightseeing: $205
- Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City: $100
- Private Transfer From Bratislava To Vienna, 2h Stop in Schlosshof: $126
- One Way Private Transfer From Bratislava To Vienna Airport: $154
- Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service: $24
- Bratislava-Budapest One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $299
- Bratislava Airport to Bojnice Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Bratislava Airport (BTS) to Bojnice Resorts - Round Trip Transfer: $133
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Jose
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Jose are as follows:
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Taxi from SJO€22
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Local Bus€2.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Transfer Costa Rica SJO Airport TO or FROM Hotels nearby Private : $39
- Private One-way Transfer from San Jose to Juan Santamaria Airport: $41
- Private One-way Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport to San Jose: $41
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer: Alajuela and San Jose: $45
- Private San José Airport Transfer to San José Hotels : $50
- Private Transfer from San Jose City to Puntarenas Cruise Port: $51
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport One Way: $56
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $69
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) to San Jose - Private Transfer: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Bratislava or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Bratislava 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 dayBratislava €45San Jose €16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bratislava.
- Dinner with cruise on the Danube river: $63
- Bratislava Christmas Market Food Tour: $78
- Local Beer & Food Tour: $144
- Bratislava Traditional Food Tour: $177
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Jose
For San Jose, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bites and Sights: Walking Food Tour in San Jose, Costa Rica: $28
- San Jose By Night Tour: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class: $53
- San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour and visit Gold Museum : $54
- Half-Day San Jose Evening Bus Tour with Dinner and Pickup: $76
- Explore San Jose By Night: Food and Culture Tour with Local Dinner: $80
- Private Authentic Food Tour in San José: $84
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bratislava €30San Jose €19
Tours and Activities in Bratislava
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bratislava are as follows:
- Magic Christmas tour in Komarno: $237
- Bratislava - Bike Tour: $54
- Bratislava - Grand City Tour: $86
- Bratislava - Hainburg - Cruise on the Danube: $27
- Bratislava 2 hours walking tour with beer tasting: $54
- Bratislava Big Castle Tour by Presporacik: $18
- Bratislava Card with Public Transport Option & Walking Tour: $25
- Bratislava Castle neighbourhood: Walking route / Audio tour: $8.16
- Bratislava Castle: Self-Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $7.39
- Bratislava Christmas Market Tour with A Local Guide: $44
- Bratislava City Private Walking Tour: $43
- Bratislava City Sightseeing Afternoon Walking Tour: $26
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Entrance ticket to the Hacienda Orosi: $21
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- San Jose Historical Walking Tour with a Guide: $33
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- San Jose City Tour and central Market with local food : $35
- Corso Lecheria Tour: $40
- Small Group Cultural Walking Tour in San Jose Costa Rica: $42
- Zipline Tour Arenal + Indigenous culture + Thermomineral pools: $48
- Sarapiqui Forest Horseback Riding Experience in Costa Rica: $49
- San Jose Private Walking Tour with a Guide: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBratislava €19San Jose €15
Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:
- Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
- Wine Tasting with Sommelier in Bratislava: $14
- Wine Tasting with Sommelier: $15
- Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $21
- Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $21
- Craft Beer Pub Tour Bratislava by Team Beer Drink: $74
- Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting: $105
- Bratislava City Wine Tasting Tour: $133
- Devin Castle Tour with Wine Tasting: $161
- Little Carpathian Wine Tour: $204
- 6-Hour Carpathian Wine Tour and Tasting: $213
- Small Carpathian Wine Tasting and Red Stone Castle Tour: $216
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bratislava and San Jose, we can see that Bratislava is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bratislava is in Europe and San Jose is in Central 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 San Jose would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Jose 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 Bratislava would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bratislava than you might in San Jose.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bratislava Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bratislava or San Jose?
Bratislava has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Bratislava and San Jose, 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 Bratislava or San Jose?
Bratislava has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Jose experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bratislava or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Bratislava during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bratislava for the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Bratislava is cooler than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Bratislava averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Bratislava. In the summer, Bratislava often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Bratislava gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bratislava usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Bratislava gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBratislava 23°C (73°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bratislava or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bratislava and San Jose. Many visitors come to Bratislava in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Bratislava is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bratislava in October average around 12°C (54°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
Bratislava usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Bratislava gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bratislava usually receives less rain than San Jose. Bratislava gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBratislava 12°C (54°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bratislava or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bratislava as well as San Jose. Most visitors come to Bratislava for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
Bratislava can be very cold during winter. In January, Bratislava is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Bratislava average around 2°C (36°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the winter, Bratislava often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Bratislava gets 65 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Bratislava usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Bratislava gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBratislava 2°C (36°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bratislava or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Bratislava are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bratislava because of the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bratislava is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Bratislava averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bratislava. Bratislava usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Bratislava gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Bratislava usually receives more rain than San Jose. Bratislava gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBratislava 13°C (55°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Bratislava
| Bratislava | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (38°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.