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

Should you visit Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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: Edinburgh or San Juan?

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.


Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Edinburgh?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Edinburgh is $178, 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 Edinburgh and San Juan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Edinburgh $93
    San Juan $124
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Edinburgh $186
    San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Edinburgh and San Juan

Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh


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: Edinburgh Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Edinburgh $21
    San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:


  • Local Bus
    $4.52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh

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

  • Edinburgh to Inverness Direct transfer: $784
  • From Loch Ness Private Day Tour with Transfers: $753
  • Private Tour with transfer from Newhaven Cruise Port to Glasgow.: $298
  • Edinburgh To The Gleneagles Hotel | Executive Transfer: $291
  • Private Transfer from Edinburgh to Gleneagles Hotel : $280
  • Private Luxury Transfer Edinburgh (One Way - 7 Passengers): $257
  • Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3: $256
  • Edinburgh to Stirling | Executive Transfer: $254
  • Edinburgh Train Station to Edinburgh Hotel Transfers 1-3 Pax: $251
  • Edinburgh to Gleneagles Luxury Taxi Transfer: $242
  • Edinburgh to Glasgow Luxury Car Transfer: $242
  • Glasgow to Edinburgh Luxury Car Transfer: $232

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan

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

  • Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
  • San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $272
  • San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
  • San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
  • San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $272
  • Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Edinburgh or San Juan?

Prices for flights to both San Juan and Edinburgh 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
    Edinburgh $49
    San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    $11
  • Dinner at Filling Station
    $13
  • Lunch for Two
    $19
  • Sandwich
    $2.32
  • Cheese & bread
    $9.07
  • Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)
    $31
  • 2 Coffees and Scones
    $7.28
  • Turkish Delight
    $1.76
  • Soup at the Pub
    $7.40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $31
  • Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
  • Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $88
  • Edinburgh Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
  • Edinburgh Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
  • Edinburgh Food Tour: $100
  • 'Scotland meets Sardinia' - 8-course Dinner in Leith, Edinburgh: $110
  • 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $116
  • Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $121
  • The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh With Locals: Private Food Tour: $162
  • Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private: $188

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Edinburgh $25
    San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Show Tickets
    $40
  • Movie Tickets for Two
    $15
  • Donation for Storytellers
    $7.53

Tours and Activities in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Edinburgh's Landscapes Tours with a Local Guide: Private & Personalized: $153
  • 1-Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh: $79
  • 1.5 hour Firth of Forth Sightseeing cruise: $23
  • 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh: $261
  • 2-Day Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe & Oban Tour: $183
  • 3 Hours Edinburgh City Highlights Private Walking Tour: $273
  • 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $234
  • 3-Hour Private Edinburgh Castle Tour: $275
  • Afternoon Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour 1:15, 3:15, 5:15: $19
  • Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh: $72
  • Alnwick Castle, Northumberland & Scottish Borders 1-Day Tour: $74
  • Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Tour with Admission: $103

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.

  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Edinburgh $19
    San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:


  • Beer & Wine
    $18
  • Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern
    $2.07

Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh

Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Discounts: $11
  • Edinburgh Bar Crawl: 5+ Venues, Free Shots, Free Club Entry: $19
  • Pub Crawl in Edinburgh: $19
  • Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $25
  • East Lothian: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting: $26
  • Guided Gin Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $28
  • Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $31
  • Whisky Tasting and Tales at Summerhall Distillery: $31
  • Lind & Lime Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting: $31
  • Pickering's Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour: $31
  • Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery: $32
  • The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: $32

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 comparing the travel costs between Edinburgh and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Edinburgh is in Europe and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or San Juan?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or San Juan?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or San Juan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and San Juan. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Edinburgh is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than San Juan. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Edinburgh 14°C (58°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Edinburgh or San Juan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as San Juan. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.

Edinburgh is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Juan. Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Edinburgh 10°C (49°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Edinburgh or San Juan in the Winter?

Both San Juan and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in San Juan. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Juan. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Edinburgh 3°C (38°F) 
    San Juan 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Edinburgh or San Juan in the Spring?

Both San Juan and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.

In April, Edinburgh is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Edinburgh 7°C (45°F) 
    San Juan 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for San Juan and Edinburgh

Edinburgh San Juan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 10°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 14°C (58°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)