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

Should you visit Ephesus or San Juan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or San Juan, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Ephesus or San Juan?

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

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 Cultural Tours in Turkey, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Ephesus?

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 Ephesus is $131, 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 Ephesus and San Juan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $55
    San Juan $124
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $110
    San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and San Juan

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus 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 Ephesus


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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $40
    San Juan $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

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

  • Private Transfer Kusadasi, Port, Hotel From/To Izmir Airport: $299
  • Private Airport Transfer In Ephesus: $205
  • Kusadasi Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $185
  • Transfer izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Davutlar: $180
  • Akbuk Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $180
  • Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $162
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
  • Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
  • Didim (Altinkum) Hotels to Bodrum Airport BJV Transfers: $126
  • Kusadasi International Golf Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $102
  • Kusadasi Hotels to Izmir Airport ADB Transfers: $101

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan

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

  • Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
  • Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
  • Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $200
  • Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
  • Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
  • Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
  • Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or San Juan?

Prices for flights to both San Juan and Ephesus 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
    Ephesus $45
    San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:


  • Sandwiches
    $0.12
  • Dessert
    $0.13
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    $0.46
  • Snacks
    $0.19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

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

  • Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110

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:

  • Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $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.
    Ephesus $46
    San Juan $49

Tours and Activities in Ephesus

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.

  • Ephesus PrivateTours from Cruise Port Kusadasi Shore Excursions : $40
  • Ephesus Shared Tour from Kuşadası Port: $150
  • Ephesus Tour With Small Group From Kusadasi: $137
  • Ephesus and Virgin Mary House Tour From Kusadasi Port : $16
  • Ephesus private skip line tour from the cruise port: $167
  • Ephesus tours and Virgin Mary's House Temple Artemis tours : $74
  • Private Ephesus And Artemis Temple Tour For Cruise Guest : $16
  • Private Pergamum Tour from Izmir or Kusadasi: $298
  • Small Group Pamukkale Day Tour from Selcuk or Kusadası : $129
  • "Ephesus Tours" Port Kusadasi lunch guide bus shopping Caravanserai artemis : $64
  • "No Better Way to Explore History - Affordable Ephesus Tour": $30
  • "private Ephesus tours "" wholesaler Shop Tours ""from cruise port Kusadasi ": $10

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.

  • Culebra Swim with Turtles Adventure and Flamenco Beach by Ferry: $130
  • El Yunque Rainforest Tour Half Day Earlybird/ Small Groups: $85
  • Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
  • Puerto Rican Food Experience: $99
  • "Exclusive Tour": VIP Rum Tasting at San Juan Artisan Distillers: $150
  • "Yo Soy de PfknR" Bad Bunny Party Bus Experience: $145
  • 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
  • 2 Tours in 1 Day: Rainforest Waterslides & Beach Tour w/Transport: $60
  • 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $75
  • 30-Minute Freestyle Jet Ski Adventure in the Bay: $100
  • ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
  • ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149

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

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


  • Beer
    $0.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

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

  • PRIVATE & GROUP: SKIP-THE-LINE EPHESUS with Wine Tasting & Lunch: $12
  • SKIP-THE-LINE Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $18
  • POTTERY PAINTING & WINE TASTING Tour from Kusadasi Port: $49
  • Wine Tasting-Village Shore Excursion from Kusadasi Port: $50
  • Ephesus Shore Excursion with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $64
  • Kusadasi Shore Excursions Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
  • Ephesus & Şirince Village with Lunch& Wine Tasting (Fixed Price): $100
  • Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting and Traditional Turkish Lunch: $130
  • Private Ephesus Tour & Wine Tasting & Mediterrranean Lunch: $159

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
  • The Pinones Pub crawl Bar crawl : $70
  • Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
  • Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99


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

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


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or San Juan?

San Juan has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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 Ephesus or San Juan?

Ephesus 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 Ephesus or San Juan in the Summer?

Both San Juan and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Ephesus in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Ephesus is generally around the same temperature as San Juan. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than San Juan during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than San Juan. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or San Juan in the Autumn?

Both San Juan and Ephesus during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ephesus for the shopping scene during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.

Ephesus is cooler than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, 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 Ephesus. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Juan. Ephesus gets 232 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. Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or San Juan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and San Juan. The winter months attract visitors to Ephesus because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Ephesus is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.

Ephesus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than San Juan. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    San Juan 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or San Juan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.

In April, Ephesus is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ephesus this time of the year. In the spring, Ephesus often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    San Juan 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for San Juan and Ephesus

Ephesus San Juan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)