Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Manchester?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manchester 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 Manchester and San Jose can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manchester or San Jose?
Manchester
Located in the heart of Northern England, Manchester is the unofficial Capital of the North. Though it dates back as a Roman city, the city boomed in growth during the Industrial Revolution in textiles, and is today one of the most-visited cities in England by overseas travelers.
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 dayManchester £184San Jose £73
The average daily cost (per person) in Manchester is £184, 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 Manchester and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManchester £71San Jose £40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManchester £142San Jose £80
Compare Hotels in Manchester and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Manchester 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: Manchester Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manchester £19San Jose £16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Manchester
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Manchester are as follows:
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Rail to Airport£11
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Parking in Manchester£3.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manchester
Also for Manchester, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Southampton Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Manchester: $8.16
- Private Transfer from Worsley to Manchester Airport (MAN): $60
- Private Transfer from Wigan to Manchester Airport (MAN): $90
- Private Transfer from Trafford Park to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Salford to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Salford Quays to Manchester Airport (MAN): $58
- Private Transfer from Rochdale to Manchester Airport (MAN): $88
- Private Transfer from Partington to Manchester Airport (MAN): $57
- Private Transfer from Manchester Hotels to Holyhead Cruise Port: $66
- Private Transfer from Manchester City to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Wrexham: $234
- Private Transfer from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Worsley: $61
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 Manchester or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Manchester 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 dayManchester £55San Jose £15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manchester
For Manchester, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Pistachio LOVERS Italian Dinner Experience: $44
- Manchester Food Tour with a Local Guide: $94
- Half-Day Manchester Food Tour with Lunch: $95
- 3-Hour Guided Manchester Food Tour with Lunch : $95
- Private Food Tour with Local Guide: $199
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.Manchester £30San Jose £17
Tours and Activities in Manchester
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Manchester.
- SEA LIFE Manchester Admission Ticket: $22
- 3-Hour Manchester Shopping Tour with a Stylist: $118
- 3-day Yorkshire Dales and Peak District Tour from Manchester: $524
- A Silent Disco Adventure in Manchester: $22
- Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Experience in Manchester: $51
- Breathtaking Manchester – Walking Tour for Couples: $235
- Breathtaking Manchester – Walking Tour for Couples: $466
- Chatsworth and Peak District Small-Group Tour from Manchester: $74
- Christmas Charms of Manchester – Private Walking Tour: $569
- City River Tour: $15
- Craft Beer Tour around Manchester: $51
- Craft Brews of Manchester – A Private Beer Tour: $671
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 dayManchester £9.90San Jose £13
Sample the Local Flavors in Manchester
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Manchester:
- Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $48
- Four hour walking wine tasting tour of Manchester's best bars: $102
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 Manchester and San Jose, we can see that Manchester is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manchester or San Jose?
Manchester has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester or San Jose?
Manchester 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 Manchester or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and San Jose. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Manchester is much colder than San Jose in the summer. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Manchester usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during summer. Manchester gets 176 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, Manchester usually receives less rain than San Jose. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 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 JulyManchester 16°C (62°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manchester or San Jose in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manchester as well as San Jose. Many travelers come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the autumn, Manchester is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manchester in October average around 11°C (52°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Manchester often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Manchester usually gets less rain in October than San Jose. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 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 OctoberManchester 11°C (52°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manchester or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Manchester in the winter 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.
Manchester can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Manchester is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 4°C (39°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in San Jose. Manchester usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during winter. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Manchester usually receives more rain than San Jose. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 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 JanuaryManchester 4°C (39°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manchester or San Jose in the Spring?
Both San Jose and Manchester during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Manchester for the activities around the city during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Manchester is much colder than San Jose in the spring. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Manchester often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun.
Manchester usually gets more rain in April than San Jose. Manchester gets 51 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 AprilManchester 8°C (46°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Manchester
| Manchester | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (62°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 78 mm (3.1 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.