A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cairo vs. San Juan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cairo or San Juan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and San Juan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cairo or San Juan?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Cairo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $33, 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 Cairo and San Juan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $11
    San Juan $124
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $22
    San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Cairo and San Juan

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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.

Hotels in Cairo


Hotels in San Juan


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $3.80
    San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • From Guided 4 Day Cairo & Red Sea Tour with Transfer: $1,440
  • Private Day Trip to Luxor with Transfers and Flights: $791
  • Cairo To Marsa Alam Private Transfer: $511
  • From One-Way Private Transfer To Luxor: $489
  • 1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included: $300
  • 3 Private Full-Day Tours to Cairo Top Attractions+One Airport Transfer: $300
  • Private One-Way Transfer to/from Hurghada: $292
  • Private One-Way Transfer to/from Sharm El-Sheikh: $292
  • Private Transfer from Cairo to Sharm El Sheikh : $290
  • Private Transfer from Cairo City Hotels to Suez Canal Cruise Port: $287
  • PrivateTransfer from Cairo Airport(CAI) to Suez Canal Cruise Port: $287
  • Private Transfer from Cairo Airport (CAI) to Ain Sokhna Port : $287

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan

Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $76
  • Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120
  • Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $200
  • Departure Transfer from Old San Juan to to SJU Airport by Car: $86
  • Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
  • Premium Transfer in Airport, Hotel, Airbnb, Cruise: $25
  • Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
  • Private Transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port Roundtrip Servic: $109
  • Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $115
  • Private Transfer from or to San Juan and Ceiba Ferry: $93
  • Private Transfer to El Conquistador Hotel : $200
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or San Juan?

Prices for flights to both San Juan and Cairo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cairo $18
    San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.

  • Great tour toThe Grand Museum of Giza and Nile River DinnerCruise: $5.00
  • Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $5.00
  • 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
  • Cairo dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $7.00
  • Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $7.00
  • Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
  • Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $9.00
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $9.00
  • Cairo Food Tour in local places & Egyptian Mint Tea: $9.00
  • 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing : $9.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $9.00

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 Food Tour with 7 Tastings of Authentic Local Flavors: $139
  • Private San Juan Cooking Class with a Local Expert: $146
  • Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
  • FlyDining: 4 Courses Dinner with City Lights & Ocean Breeze: $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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $9.09
    San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.84
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.47

Tours and Activities in Cairo

Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Days 1 Nights Tour package to Saint-Catherine from Cairo : $300
  • 2-Day Ancient Egypt Tour with Pyramids and Museums: $253
  • 2-Day Private Tour of Cairo with Accommodation and Entrance Fees: $165
  • 2-Days Tour at Cairo & Giza: $86
  • 3 Days Private Tour in Giza, Cairo, and Alexandria: $70
  • 3-Day Private Tour in Cairo : $196
  • 8-Hour Private Tour Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum and local Bazaars: $14
  • Alexandria day tour : $75
  • All Inclusive day tour to Giza pyramids, Egyptian museum and Felucca : $95
  • Ancient Wonders Unveiled: Memphis, Saqqara & Dahshur Adventure: $50
  • Antiquities in the Grande Egyptian Museum with Private Tour : $35
  • Best Day Tour Visit Giza Pyramids, and Sakkara&Memphis Pyramids : $70

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan

For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Horseback Riding Tour
    $40
  • Full Day Snorkeling Trip
    $100
  • 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
  • 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: $26
  • Explore Old San Juan Walking Tour: $30
  • Old San Juan Tour in Spanish: $30
  • Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
  • Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
  • Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – VIP SmallGroup Tour: $45
  • Ron del Barrilito Heritage Skip-the-Line Tour: $46

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.48
    San Juan $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70

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's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cairo or San Juan?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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 Cairo or San Juan?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Cairo or San Juan in the Summer?

Both San Juan and Cairo during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.

Cairo usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cairo. In the summer, Cairo often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.

Cairo is around the same temperature as San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Cairo or San Juan in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and San Juan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Cairo usually receives less rain than San Juan. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Cairo is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cairo in October average around 23°C (73°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Cairo or San Juan in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cairo as well as San Juan. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.

Cairo usually gets less rain in January than San Juan. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the winter, Cairo often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.

In January, Cairo is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 14°C (57°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    San Juan 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Cairo or San Juan in the Spring?

Both San Juan and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Cairo usually receives less rain than San Juan. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan during spring. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.

Cairo is cooler than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 21°C (70°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    San Juan 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for San Juan and Cairo

Cairo San Juan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)