Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Cologne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cologne or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cologne 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: Cologne or San Jose?
Cologne
Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.
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 Luxury Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Germany, 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 dayCologne €161San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Cologne is €161, while the average daily cost in San Jose is €85. 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 Cologne and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCologne €91San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCologne €182San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Cologne and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Cologne 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: Cologne Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cologne €19San Jose €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
- Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
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€24
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Local Bus€2.58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer San José Airport - La Fortuna: $180
- Airport transfer from SJO Airport to Los Sueños Marriott: $170
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to Arenal by Minivan: $177
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio by Minivan: $158
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $181
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $136
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO) to Puntarenas city-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas city- Arrival Private Transfer: $83
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- One way Transfer from SJO airport or San José to Playa Dominical max 5 passenger: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Cologne or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Cologne 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 dayCologne €50San Jose €17
Typical Food Prices in Cologne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
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Dinner€14
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Donner Kebab€4.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
- Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $484
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: $34
- San Jose By Night Tour: Farm to Table Dinner & Cocktail Class: $57
- San Jose Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour and visit Gold Museum : $60
- 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
- Dinner + Typical Show in the best viewpoint of the City: $99
- Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cologne €20San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 120min - Cologne City Tour: $158
- 3-Hour Cologne Street Art Bike Tour in Small Group with Guide: $44
- 3-Hour Murder Mystery Interactive City Walking Tour in Köln: $75
- 5 Hours Cologne to Aachen Train Tour in Germany: $63
- Aachen City Hall tour (public): $20
- Aachen Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $231
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
- Aachen old town tour - GERMAN (public): $13
- Amusing Stories of Cologne Walking Tour: $13
- Ancient Echoes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Roman Cologne: $11
- Awesome Sites of Cologne – Private Family Walking Tour: $397
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 Farm of Hacienda Orosi: $11
- Entrance ticket to the Hacienda Orosi: $21
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Private Roasting and Cupping Coffee Experience: $30
- Sarapiqui Frog Tour: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- San Jose Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Corso Lecheria Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCologne €23San Jose €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:
- Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
- Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
- Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
- Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
- Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
- South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
- Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
- Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $30
- Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
- Cologne-Nippes: Gourmet wine tasting with cheese platter: $64
Sample the Local Flavors in San Jose
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Jose:
- Bar Crawl in Downtown San Jose: $38
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $85
- Bar Crawl in San Jose in a Deluxe Party Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cologne and San Jose, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cologne 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne 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 Cologne Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cologne or San Jose?
Cologne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Cologne 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 Cologne or San Jose?
Cologne 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 Cologne or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cologne as well as San Jose. Many travelers come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the summer, Cologne is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cologne in July average around 19°C (66°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In the summer, Cologne often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Cologne usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 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 JulyCologne 19°C (66°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cologne or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cologne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Cologne is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 12°C (54°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Cologne usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Cologne gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In October, Cologne usually receives less rain than San Jose. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 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 OctoberCologne 12°C (54°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cologne or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Cologne during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Cologne can be very cold during winter. Cologne is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Cologne often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Cologne usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 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 JanuaryCologne 3°C (37°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cologne or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and San Jose. The spring months attract visitors to Cologne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Cologne is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cologne in April average around 10°C (50°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Cologne usually receives more rain than San Jose. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 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 AprilCologne 10°C (50°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Cologne
| Cologne | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.