Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Brisbane?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brisbane or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Brisbane and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Brisbane or San Juan?
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
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 Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrisbane $133San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Brisbane is $133, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 Brisbane and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrisbane $82San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrisbane $164San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Brisbane and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Brisbane 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: Brisbane Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brisbane $18San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
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Airtrain to the City$9.91
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Go Card$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Theme Park Return Transfer: $529
- Private Transfer between Brisbane/BNE Airport -Gold Coast / OOL Airport(1-11Pax): $297
- NOOSA: Private Transfer to/fro Brisbane Airport (BNE): $254
- Private Transfer to Gold Coast /OOL Airport from Brisbane /BNE Airport (1-7 Pax): $228
- Brisbane Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Brisbane hotels: $208
- Brisbane Airport (BNE): Private Transfer to Brisbane Port: $208
- Brisbane Airport (BNE): Private Transfer to Brisbane hotels: $186
- Airport Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE to Brisbane in Luxury Car: $145
- Sirromet Winery 3 Course Lunch, Tour, Tastings and Transfers: $132
- Tangalooma Snorkel the Wrecks Day Cruise Transfers: $129
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City: $123
- Tangalooma Marine Discovery Day Cruise Transfers: $122
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $272
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $272
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Brisbane or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Brisbane 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 dayBrisbane $31San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
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Hamburger Lunch$5.28
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Cup of Coffee$1.98
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Chinese Food Lunch$8.26
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Ice cream$3.63
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Japanese Meal$14
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Smoothie$4.29
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Japanese Soup$7.60
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Coffee & Muffin$4.62
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Morning Mint Tea$2.31
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Veggie Burger & Chips$9.25
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Bread$1.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vertigo Dinner: Dining on the edge!: $165
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:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Brisbane $24San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Concert Tickets$13
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- 1hr Animal Tour: $43
- 2hr Animal Tour: $73
- 3-Hour Walking Tour in Brisbane: $56
- 45-Minute Behind-the-Tanks Tour on North Stradbroke Island: $32
- 90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour: $35
- Adventure Moreton Island Day Pass: $85
- All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise Brisbane: $131
- Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Brisbane: $178
- Bellthorpe Rainforest Private Tour: $132
- Brisbane : Must See Attractions Private Walking Tour: $87
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Audio Tour FREE Ticket: $15
- Brisbane City Highlights Sightseeing Tour: $116
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.
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Arenales Caves, Waterfall & River Swimming Adventure: $140
- Arte Boriken-Urban Art & Beach Sip & Paint Tour: $145
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Black Sand Beach- See The Southeast of Puerto Rico Private Tour: $150
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Craft Beer Private Tour in San Juan: $168
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Beach Day Tour with Snorkeling from San Juan by Ferry: $200
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrisbane $51San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
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Evening at the Bar$9.91
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Sixpack of Beer$9.25
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Guiness Beer$5.61
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Sixpack of Beer$8.58
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $24
- XXXX Beer Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $24
- City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $50
- Artisinal Wine Tasting and Local 2-Course Meal: $50
- River Cruise Brewery Tour with Drinks: $65
- Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $104
- Half Day Gold Coast Brewery Tour: $107
- Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $126
- Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $131
- Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting Tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast: $132
- From Mount Tamborine Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch: $132
- Gold Coast Full Day Brewery Tour: $134
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brisbane and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Brisbane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brisbane is in Pacific 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 Brisbane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brisbane 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 Brisbane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brisbane Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brisbane or San Juan?
Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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 Brisbane or San Juan?
Brisbane 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 Brisbane or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Brisbane is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Brisbane in January average around 25°C (77°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Brisbane. In January, Brisbane usually receives more rain than San Juanin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyBrisbane 25°C (77°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Brisbane or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Brisbane during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In April, Brisbane is generally cooler than San Juanin October. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 22°C (71°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the autumn, Brisbane often gets less sunshine than San Juanin October. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually gets less rain in April than San Juanin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberBrisbane 22°C (71°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Brisbane or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and San Juan. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Brisbane this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Brisbane is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during winter. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Brisbane usually receives more rain than San Juanin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBrisbane 15°C (59°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Brisbane or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches and the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the spring, Brisbane is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Brisbane in October average around 21°C (69°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the spring, Brisbane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juanin April. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
Brisbane usually gets more rain in October than San Juanin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilBrisbane 21°C (69°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Brisbane
| Brisbane | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 127 mm (5 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.