Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Glasgow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Glasgow or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or San Jose, 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: Glasgow or San Jose?
Glasgow
Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland with a population of about 600,000 and more than 2 million in the surrounding areas. It is located on the edge of River Clyde and has long been acclaimed as Scotland's main industrial city. It remains a major economic center for the United Kingdom outside of London. In recent years it has also been awarded the European titles as both the City of Culture as well as the City of Architecture and Design.
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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 dayGlasgow £144San Jose £73
The average daily cost (per person) in Glasgow is £144, while the average daily cost in San Jose is £73. 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 Glasgow and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGlasgow £74San Jose £40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGlasgow £148San Jose £80
Compare Hotels in Glasgow and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Glasgow 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: Glasgow Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Glasgow £27San Jose £16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Glasgow
Also for Glasgow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Roundtrip Transfer Glasgow Airport(GLA) to Glenshee Ski Resort: $208
- Private Transfer from Glasgow City Hotels to Greenock Cruise Port: $85
- Private One Way Transfer Glasgow Airport to Edinburgh City Centre: $222
- Private Airport Transfer from and to Glasgow : $120
- Private 1-Way/Roundtrip Transfer to Glasgow Airport: $173
- Easy Bus Transfer Between Airport and City Center: $13
- Arrivals Airport Transfer to City Accommodations: $55
- Glasgow to Stirling Luxury Car Transfer: $203
- Glasgow to Inverness Direct transfer: $784
- Glasgow to Gleneagles Luxury Car Transfer: $242
- Glasgow hotels to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Glasgow Private Transfer from Glasgow city centre to Glasgow (GLA) Airport: $64
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£20
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Local Bus£2.22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tortuguero: $300
- Transfer SJO Airport TO & FROM Dominical OR Uvita (One Way): $290
- Transfer from San Jose Airport CR (SJO) to Arenal La Fortuna Hotels: $279
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Tambor beach: $276
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport or Guanacaste Hotels: $276
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Manuel Antonio Quepos: $269
- Private Transfer from San Jose downtown to Liberia Airport: $267
- Private transfer from San Jose or Airport with welcome service to Samara Beach: $265
- Private Transfer: $260
- Private Transfer Airport or San Jose hotels to Puerto Viejo Limon: $259
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to La Fortuna Arenal: $259
- Private transfer from San Jose Airport welcome service to Liberia: $257
Is it cheaper to fly into Glasgow or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Glasgow 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 dayGlasgow £45San Jose £15
Typical Food Prices in Glasgow
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Glasgow:
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Dessert at Farmer's Market£1.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Glasgow
For Glasgow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Glasgow Walking Food Tour with EatWalk Tours: $146
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.Glasgow £22San Jose £17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Glasgow
For Glasgow, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Luss Highland Games Entrance Fee (for 2)£12
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Two Bike Rental£34
Tours and Activities in Glasgow
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Glasgow.
- 1.5hr Glasgow Necropolis Tour: The City of the Dead: $68
- 2 Hour Football Walking Tour in Glasgow : $25
- 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Glasgow: $261
- 3 Day Outlander Tour: $255
- 3 Hours Private City Glasgow Walking Tour: $273
- 3-Hour Private Glasgow Essentials Tour: $285
- Celtic Park Tour & Dine Package: $53
- City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- Discover Glasgow's Finest - Private Walking Tour: $516
- Discover Glasgow's Imperial Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Executive Scottish Lowlands Tour: $1,129
- From Glasgow, Edinburgh: Outlander Private Tour: $1,035
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 dayGlasgow £15San Jose £13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Glasgow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Glasgow:
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Bottle of Wine£12
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Ciders at Kilted Skirlie£3.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Glasgow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Glasgow:
- Clydeside Distillery Tour and Whisky Tasting: $23
- Tennent’s Brewery Guided Tour and Free Pint: $24
- Secrets & Summer Serves at Glengoyne Distillery: $25
- Glengoyne Distillery Tour with Whisky & Chocolate: $44
- Glasgow Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
- Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow : $70
- Sample Fine & Rare Whiskies at Glengoyne Distillery: $75
- The Malt Master Experience at Glengoyne Distillery: $125
- Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour: $187
- Guided Electric Bike Tour with a Distillery Visit: $188
- Pints & Past: Glasgow Pub Tour: $459
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 Glasgow and San Jose, we can see that Glasgow is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Glasgow 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 Glasgow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Glasgow 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 Glasgow Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Glasgow or San Jose?
Glasgow has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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 Glasgow or San Jose?
Glasgow 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 Glasgow or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and San Jose. The summer months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Glasgow is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Glasgow in July average around 15°C (59°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Glasgow usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during summer. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
San Jose receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Glasgow usually receives less rain than San Jose. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 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 JulyGlasgow 15°C (59°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Glasgow or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as San Jose. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In October, Glasgow is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 10°C (49°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Glasgow usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 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 OctoberGlasgow 10°C (49°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Glasgow or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Glasgow. Glasgow is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In January, Glasgow usually receives more rain than San Jose. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 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 JanuaryGlasgow 3°C (38°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Glasgow or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Glasgow during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the spring for the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
In the spring, Glasgow is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Glasgow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Glasgow usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 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 AprilGlasgow 7°C (45°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Glasgow
| Glasgow | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 136 mm (5.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 10°C (51°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (58°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 164 mm (6.5 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.