Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Rome?
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 Rome or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and San Juan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Rome or San Juan?
Rome
Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.
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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Rome Prices
Italy PricesSan Juan Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRome $240San Juan $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is $240, 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 Rome and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRome $104San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRome $208San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Rome and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Rome 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: Rome Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rome $25San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
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Metro Ride (for Two)$2.32
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Train to the Airport$17
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Taxi to Airport$52
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Bicycle Rental (Full Day)$12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
- Transfer from Rome to the Beverello pier (Naples): $299
- Civitavecchia DA transfer and vice versa: $297
- Transfer services from airports to rome for up to 4 persons: $295
- Private transfer from Rome to S. Felice Circeo, Sabaudia or Terracina: $295
- Transfer from Rome Hotel to Civitavecchia Cruise Port and vice versa: $295
- Transfer from Rome FIUMICINO AIRPORT to Civitavecchia Cruise Port: $295
- Private Express Tour of Roman Catacombs with Transfer: $294
- Private transfer from Roma to Civitavecchia port: $294
- Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Saturnia - Arrival Private Transfer: $289
- Private Luxury Transfer to the Famous Points of Rome center: $285
- Civitavecchia Port Private Transfer to/from Rome City & Airport: $283
- Rome Private Transfer from Rome city centre to Civitavecchia Cruise Port: $272
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer from Old San Juan to to SJU Airport by Car: $86
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
- HandyCap Airport Transfer to Isla Verde, Condado or Ocean Park: $100
- Luxury Puerto Rico Private Transfers: $220
- One-way transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port or Vice Versa: $65
- Premium Transfer Service FROM or TO Rio Grande Puerto Rico: $50
- Private Transfer Airport SJU to Old San Juan Vice versa One way: $65
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to Humacao Hotels: $180
- Private Transfer from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Ponce Cruise Port: $77
- Private Transfer in San Juan: $75
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Rome 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 dayRome $97San Juan $62
Typical Food Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$16
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4 Ice Cream Sandwiches$3.47
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Cafe e doce$4.64
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Pizza (Fast Food)$3.08
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$37
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Cheese and bread$12
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Espresso$2.32
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Dinner$67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
- Pizzas and Piazzas: A Self-Guided Walk of Rome’s Culinary Culture: $20
- Pasta Making & Wine Tasting with Dinner in Frascati from Rome: $40
- Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $41
- Rome Pizza Making Class for Families in Trastevere: $46
- Rome Food Tour: Tastings in the Jewish Ghetto & Campo de' Fiori: $46
- Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $46
- Cappuccino, Moka and Tiramisù Cooking Class in Central Rome: $48
- The Original Fettuccine & Tiramisu Cooking Class in Rome: $50
- Rome Street Food Tour: Eat Like a Local: $51
- Cooking Class in the Heart of Pizza and Tiramisu Making: $52
- Rome Street Food Tour and Jewish Ghetto Area Guided Sightseeing: $53
- Tasty Rome Street Food Tour around Campo de' Fiori Market & Jewish Ghetto: $53
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:
- FlyDining: 4 Course Sunset & City Light Dinner Over Old San Juan: $159
- 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.Rome $42San Juan $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)$80
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Coliseum Tickets (for Two)$38
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Roma Pass$35
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Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)$23
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Segway Tour$87
Tours and Activities in Rome
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- " Private pantheon tour: Explore Rome's Divine masterpiece": $105
- "Rome of the Popes" E-bike Tour with Guide for Small Groups: $85
- "Villa Borghese" Rome tour with high quality electric bicycle!: $70
- 1 Day Rome Tour from Civitavecchia for Cruise Passengers: $91
- 1 Hour Pantheon Tour: A Time Travel Experience in Rome + Ebook: $101
- 1,5H Gianicolo and Trastevere Tour on a Golf Cart: $88
- 1,5H Historical City Center Tour on a Golf Cart at Rome: $81
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour in Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto: $23
- 2 hours Tour of Galleria Colonna: $218
- 2-Hour Private Shopping Tour in Rome with Personal Stylist - Personal Shopper: $118
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in Rome's Enchanting Jewish Ghetto: $85
- 2h Xmas Lights Panoramic Vespa Sidecar Tour: $117
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 dayRome $21San Juan $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
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Bottle of Wine$7.54
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Pint of Beer$7.36
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Beer$12
Sample the Local Flavors in Rome
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
- Cabaret and Burlesque Show: $35
- Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $38
- Rome's Ultimate Party aka the Spanish Steps Pub Crawl: $40
- Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch: $46
- Wine Tasting in Trastevere with Food and Gelato: $50
- Rome Premium Wine Tasting: 3, 4, 5 or 6 Wines with Expert Guide: $53
- EAT AND DRINK LIKE A LOCAL - Wine Tasting in Trastevere w/ Gelato: $53
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience by the Vatican: $59
- Burlesque lessons with the best Italian stars: $59
- Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Underground Cellar in Rome: $64
- Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $65
- Rome Bar Crawl: Interactive Night Tour with Games and Karaoke: $77
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 comparing the travel costs between Rome and San Juan, we can see that Rome is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Rome is in Europe and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rome Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rome or San Juan?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Rome 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 Rome or San Juan?
Rome 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 Rome or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Rome during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the summer, Rome is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rome in July average around 25°C (77°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rome. In the summer, Rome often gets more sunshine than San Juan. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Rome usually gets less rain in July than San Juan. Rome 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 JulyRome 25°C (77°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Rome or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and San Juan. Many visitors come to Rome in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Rome is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 17°C (63°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Rome usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Rome usually receives less rain than San Juan. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 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 OctoberRome 17°C (63°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Rome or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Rome as well as San Juan. Most visitors come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Rome is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the winter, Rome often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Rome usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 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 JanuaryRome 8°C (47°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Rome or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Rome because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Rome is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rome in April average around 14°C (57°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. Rome usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rome usually receives less rain than San Juan. Rome gets 50 mm (2 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 AprilRome 14°C (57°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Rome
| Rome | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 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.