Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Frankfurt?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Frankfurt or San Jose?
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 Frankfurt and San Jose can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Frankfurt or San Jose?
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the financial and business hub of Germany. It houses the European Central Bank and the German Stock Exchange, and often plays host to trade shows and business fairs. It has the country's most modern skyline and the largest airport. It is also a transportation hub for Germany with many important train lines passing through. The city itself is situated on the River Main. Some of the most important sights are along the river near Romer Square and include museums and monuments. This area pulls in millions of tourists every year. Although many sights are clustered in this area, it's important to head into more off the beaten path areas that can be enjoyable to explore. These areas offer glimpses into daily life in Frankfurt.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure 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 dayFrankfurt €122San Jose €85
The average daily cost (per person) in Frankfurt is €122, 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 Frankfurt and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFrankfurt €58San Jose €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFrankfurt €116San Jose €92
Compare Hotels in Frankfurt and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Frankfurt 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: San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Frankfurt €25San Jose €18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Frankfurt
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Frankfurt:
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Car Rental€50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Frankfurt
Also for Frankfurt, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wiesbaden Thermal to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) - Departure Transfer: $27
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Frankfurt City - Frankfurt Airport (FRA): $54
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Frankfurt Airport (FRA)- Kaiserlautern: $267
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Frankfurt City - Frankfurt Airport (FRA): $61
- Transfer from Frankfurt Airport to Baden-Baden: $398
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Frankfurt Airport (FRA) - Frankfurt City: $123
- Private transfer from Frankfurt am Main to Prague: $1,066
- Private Transfer: Frankfurt to River Cruise Dock Nuremberg Port/Harbor transport: $284
- Private Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA in Van: $76
- Private Transfer: Frankfurt to Frankfurt Airport FRA in Sedan Car: $72
- Private Transfer: Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt in Van: $76
- Private Transfer: Frankfurt Airport FRA to Frankfurt in Sedan Car: $70
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:
- Transfers to Occidental Papagayo - Secrets Resort, Round-Trip: $130
- Transfer to Los Sueños Marriot Playa Herradura from San Jose or Airport: $215
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from SanJose Juan Santamaría Airport to SanJose City: $39
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Transfer from Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) to Quepos Cruise Port: $72
- Transfer TO & FROM SJO Airport to Esterillos - Bejuco Not Shared.: $180
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer Costa Rica SJO Airport To OR From Hotels nearby Private : $45
- Transfer Airport area to Manuel Antonio Hotels Private One Way: $185
- Transfer Airport Area to Jaco Hotels Private One Way Transport: $150
- Shuttle & transfer rides to Jaco beach: $137
- Shared transfer to Manuel Antonio: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Frankfurt or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Frankfurt 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 dayFrankfurt €41San Jose €17
Typical Food Prices in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Soda€2.00
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Bagel Sandwich and Latte€7.00
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Ham & Cheese Sandwich and Coffee€6.00
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Sandwich and Cola€7.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sharing Plate Food Tour In Frankfurt: $65
- FOOD TOUR WITH 3-4 LOCAL INSIDER FOODSPOTS: $81
- FOOD TOUR TO 3-4 LOCAL FOODSPOTS: $81
- Eltz Castle Small-Group Tour from Frankfurt with Dinner: $282
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.Frankfurt €36San Jose €20
Tours and Activities in Frankfurt
For Frankfurt, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Best of Frankfurt Walking Tour (English): $26
- Atta Dripstone Cave and Braunfels Castle Tour from Frankfurt: $271
- Bike Tour of Frankfurt Top Attractions & Nature with a Guide : $207
- Brandenburg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Breathtaking Pearls of Frankfurt – Walking Tour: $376
- Cologne & Limburg Full-Day Tour: $285
- Culinary Frankfurt Walking Tour: $612
- Discover Frankfurt's Heritage: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Explore Bird & Marine Wildlife private Boat Tour in English: $108
- Franfurt Horror Tour: Terror of the White Spider: $20
- Frankfurt - Old Town Historic Walking Tour: $377
- Frankfurt - Private Shopping tour: $398
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore San Jose on Foot: Food Delights and Sights Tour: $47
- Street Food Walking Tour in Downtown San Jose: $60
- 3 in 1 Eco Tour Rain Forest Aerial Tram, River Cruise & Nature Walk Private Tour: $299
- 6 in 1 RainForest Adventure From San Jose: $189
- A taste of Aquiares - 2 hours Coffee Tour: $42
- AERIAL TRAM TOUR - HALF DAY PASS Rainforest Adventures Braulio Ca: $78
- AWA Water Museum - Waterfall Adventure (Organic Food Experience): $98
- Arenal Volcano Eco Tour & Baldi Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Experience Full-Day Tour from San Jose: $159
- Arenal Volcano Hanging Bridges & Baldi Hot Springs. Private Tour from San Jose: $285
- Arenal Volcano Hike and Hot Springs Tour from San Jose: $142
- Arenal Volcano Horseback Riding & Baldi Hot Springs. Private Tour: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFrankfurt €30San Jose €16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Frankfurt
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Frankfurt:
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Becks Beer€2.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Frankfurt
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Frankfurt:
- Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $22
- Weekend Night Pub Crawl through Alt-Sachsenhausen: $34
- Full Day Private Rhine Valley Wine Tour Experience from Frankfurt: $280
- Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $282
- Frankfurt Wine Tasting Tour with a Wine Expert: $286
- Guided Walk Tour With Apple Wine Tasting: $336
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $404
- Private Premium Pub Crawl Tour: $517
- Private Rhine Valley tour with river cruise & wine tasting: $752
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 Frankfurt and San Jose, we can see that Frankfurt is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or San Jose?
Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or San Jose?
Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or San Jose in the Summer?
Both San Jose and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Frankfurt is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Frankfurt in July average around 19°C (67°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. Frankfurt usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during summer. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In July, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFrankfurt 19°C (67°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Frankfurt or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Frankfurt during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In October, Frankfurt is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 11°C (51°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
San Jose gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Frankfurt usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFrankfurt 11°C (51°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Frankfurt or San Jose in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and San Jose. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Frankfurt can get quite cold in the winter. Frankfurt is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Frankfurt usually receives more rain than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFrankfurt 1°C (34°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Frankfurt or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as San Jose. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the spring, Frankfurt is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Frankfurt in April average around 10°C (50°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In the spring, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Frankfurt usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFrankfurt 10°C (50°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Frankfurt
| Frankfurt | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 1°C (34°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 54 mm (2.1 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.