Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Istanbul or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul 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: Istanbul or San Juan?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $161San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $161, 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 Istanbul and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $75San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $150San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul 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.
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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $35San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Dolmabahçe Palace Private Tour with Transfers: $300
- Istanbul Old City Private Tour With Professional Guide & Transfer: $277
- Private Transfer from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökcen Airport: $271
- Private Transfer to Bursa Uludag Hotels from Sabiha Gokcen airport: $245
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW in Luxury Car: $242
- Istanbul Roundtrip Airport Transfer and 1 Day Chauffeur Service: $230
- Istanbul Private Guided Tour for Cruise Layovers. Transfers incl.: $177
- Istanbul Private Guided Tour for Layover Flight. Transfer incl.: $175
- Istanbul to Truva Troy Guided Day Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $169
- Istanbul Private Airport Transfer: $159
- Private Transfers Between Istanbul New Airport - Istanbul South Asian Side: $154
- Istanbul to Gallipoli Full Day Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $153
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU)- Departure Transfer: $29
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $59
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, Tesla 3 Luxury Sedan.: $63
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $65
- Private Transfer Airport SJU to Old San Juan Vice versa One way: $65
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Private Transfer in San Juan: $75
- Private Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce Cruise Port: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $59San Juan $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show: $20
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $24
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Bosphorus Night Cruise: Dinner, Drinks & Hotel Pickup: $29
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show with Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Shows and Drinks: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $31
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show in Istanbul: $31
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $31
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:
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- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $39San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- "Classic Wonders" Tour: $118
- "Walk Through History: A Bespoke Istanbul Adventure": $149
- 1 Istanbul Tour: Highlights, Street Food & Hidden Pearls: $283
- 1 or 2 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $72
- 1, 2 Or 3 Days Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $160
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $130
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour: $240
- 10 Tastings of Istanbul Foodie Tour: $106
- 2 Full Days Guided Istanbul City Tour With Skip the Line Entry: $200
- 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise ((MORNING TOUR)): $24
- 2 Hours Bosphorus Cruise with Audio Guide: $14
- 2 Hours Small Group Guided Bosphorus Luxury Yacht Cruise: $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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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.
- The Ultimate Self-Guided Hidden Gems Tour in Puerto Rico: $5.00
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- Outdoor Salsa Class Experience in San Juan: $19
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $26
- Old San Juan Tour in Spanish: $30
- Paddleboard Adventure: Explore Marine Life in Condado Lagoon: $32
- SJU Airport to San Juan Cruise Port or return: $33
- VIP San Juan Salsa Night Experience at Luxury Condado Beach: $35
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos: $45
- Legacy Tour at Casa BACARDÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- 1 Hour Bull Maze Adventure at Toroverde Urban Park San Juan: $45
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – SmallGroup Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $11San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
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
- Puerto Rico Tobacco Farm and Local Brewery Tour: $109
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour!: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul 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 Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Istanbul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Istanbul Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or San Juan?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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 Istanbul or San Juan?
Istanbul 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 Istanbul or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as San Juan. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Istanbul is cooler than San Juan in the summer. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 24°C (74°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Istanbul this time of the year. In the summer, Istanbul often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Istanbul is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Istanbul in October average around 16°C (61°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In October, Istanbul usually receives less rain than San Juan. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Istanbul during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In January, Istanbul is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 6°C (43°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and San Juan. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Istanbul is much colder than San Juan in the spring. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Istanbul usually receives less rain than San Juan. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Istanbul
| Istanbul | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.