Which place is cheaper, Roanoke or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit San Juan or Roanoke?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Roanoke? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: San Juan or Roanoke?
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.
Roanoke
Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Roanoke $164
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Roanoke is $164. 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 San Juan and Roanoke in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Roanoke $96
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Roanoke $192
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Roanoke
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Roanoke? 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: San Juan Hotel Prices and Roanoke Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Roanoke $23
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: $271
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- 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 San Juan or Roanoke?
Prices for flights to both Roanoke and San Juan 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
-
Food Meals for one daySan Juan $36Roanoke $48
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roanoke
For Roanoke, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Roanoke $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Horseback Riding Tour$40
-
Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
-
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
- 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
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Craft Beer Private Tour in San Juan: $168
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
Tours and Activities in Roanoke
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.
- 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
- Blue Ridge Parkway – Driving Audio Tour (Roanoke ↔ Afton): $12
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
- Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
- Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139
- Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $78
- Roanoke Holiday Season E-Bike Tour: $92
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Roanoke $30
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 San Juan and Roanoke, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Roanoke much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Roanoke is in North 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 Roanoke would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roanoke 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 Roanoke.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Juan Expensive? and Is Roanoke Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Roanoke?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Roanoke, 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 San Juan or Roanoke?
Roanoke 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 San Juan or Roanoke in the Summer?
Both Roanoke and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.
In July, San Juan is generally around the same temperature as Roanoke. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. In July, San Juan usually receives less rain than Roanoke. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Roanoke 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Roanoke in the Autumn?
Both Roanoke and San Juan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
San Juan is much warmer than Roanoke in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).
In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Roanoke. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Roanoke 60°F (16°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Roanoke in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Roanoke. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, many visitors come to Roanoke in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Roanoke can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Roanoke averages at about 38°F (3°C).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than Roanoke. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Roanoke 38°F (3°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Roanoke in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Roanoke. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the spring, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Roanoke. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets less rain in April than Roanoke. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Roanoke 59°F (15°C)
Typical Weather for Roanoke and San Juan
| San Juan | Roanoke | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 38°F (3°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 60°F (16°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 42°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
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.