Which place is cheaper, San Juan or London?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit London or San Juan?
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 London and San Juan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: London or San Juan?
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
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 in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLondon $238San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in London is $238, 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 London and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLondon $154San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLondon $308San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in London and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in London 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: London Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.London $32San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride$18
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Heathrow Express$23
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Luggage Storage$10
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London Map$1.62
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Oyster Card$45
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)$27
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Oyster Card$34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Southampton Cruise Terminals: Private Transfer to London: $1,309
- London Luton Airport (LTN): Transfer to Southampton Port: $835
- Southampton Port Transfer with Stonehenge stop-over included: $755
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR): Transfer to Bristol city: $685
- London Gatwick Airport (LGW): Transfer to Southampton Port: $654
- Private Transfer London Heathrow Airport to Southampton Port: $577
- Private Transfer Heathrow to Southampton Cruise Terminal: $565
- Private Transfer From Southampton Cruise Terminal to London: $565
- Harry Potter Family Package Tickets with Transfer: $502
- Harry Potter Family Package with Transfers from London: $502
- London Stansted Airport (STN): Transfer to Southampton Port: $489
- Private Transfer London Heathrow Airport to Harwich Port: $440
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $272
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $272
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into London or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and London 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 dayLondon $43San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks$16
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Tea$7.53
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason$49
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Morning Tea$7.97
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Pastry$6.27
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Sushi Dinner for One$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Borough Market Self-guided food tour: $5.76
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $35
- Picadilly Circus: Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner: $36
- Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $38
- Traveling Spoon Nepalese Momos Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Pizza Making Cookery Class: $53
- No Diet Club - Best food Tour in East London: $68
- African & Caribbean Food Tour in Multi-Cultural Brixton: $74
- Borough Bites, The London Food Tour: $74
- Borough Market Flavors of London Food Tour: $74
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $88
- Traditional English Walking Food Tour With London Food Tours: $95
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.London $41San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert$104
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London Symphony Orchestra$43
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London Pass$59
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Comedy Show$10
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- An Evening in London. Panoramic night Tour by Executive Luxury Vehicle: $229
- Boogie Shoes Christmas Silent Disco Walking Tours London : $32
- Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Walking Tour Camden: $64
- Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Walking Tours Christmas Special: $32
- David Bowie "Golden Years" Walking Tour of Brixton & Soho: $32
- Little Venice and Camden Walking Tour: $95
- London Covent Garden: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.27
- Madame Tussauds London Admission Ticket: $45
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Medieval Legends, ghosts and fire: $10
- Silent Disco Walking Tours West End Boogie Shoes: $44
- The London Dungeon Admission Ticket: $37
- 'Downton Abbey' TV Locations and Blenheim Palace Tour from London: $221
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.
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLondon $19San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Self Guided Audio Tour in London Old Pub Crawl: $7.63
- Fun London Pub Crawl Treasure Hunt with 20% off ALL drinks!: $13
- 2-Hour Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $20
- Haunted London Pub Walking Tour: $20
- 1 Big Night Out Weekday Pub Crawl: $24
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers: $25
- Shoreditch Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Guided Historic Pub Tour (London): $27
- Pub Crawl of Central London: $29
- Camden Pub Crawl & Bar Tour London: $31
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $31
- Burlesque Cabaret Show in Covent Garden: $31
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between London and San Juan, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since London 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 San Juan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in San Juan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is London Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, London or San Juan?
London has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of London 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 London or San Juan?
London 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 London or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and London are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, London is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in London in July average around 18°C (64°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. London usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, London usually receives less rain than San Juan. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLondon 18°C (64°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit London or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and London during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to London because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In October, London is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in London average around 12°C (53°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, London often gets less sunshine than San Juan. London gets 107 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. London usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLondon 12°C (53°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit London or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both London and San Juan. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to London this time of year. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in London in the winter. London is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in London averages around 4°C (40°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. London usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, London usually receives less rain than San Juan. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLondon 4°C (40°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit London or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to London as well as San Juan. Many travelers come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In the spring, London is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in London in April average around 9°C (48°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the spring, London often gets less sunshine than San Juan. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.
London usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLondon 9°C (48°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and London
| London | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.