Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or San Francisco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco?
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.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192San Francisco $222
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $222. 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 San Francisco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124San Francisco $130
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in San Juan and San Francisco
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14San Francisco $16
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 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
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
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Taxi to SFO$45
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Golden Gate Bridge Toll$6.00
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Alcatraz Tour$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Francisco Airport (SFO): Transfer to Cruise Terminal: $557
- Carmel 1-Way Transfer to/from San Francisco Airport: $535
- SFO Airport Private Transfer to/from Sacramento: $410
- Napa Valley 1-Way Transfer to/from the San Francisco Airport: $400
- San Francisco Airport (SFO): Transfer to San Francisco: $343
- San Francisco (SFO) to Calistoga Resorts Round-Trip Transfer: $295
- Private Airport Transfer From SFO to Sonoma (One-way): $280
- Sedan Airport Transfer from SFO to East Bay (one way): $262
- Sedan Airport Transfer from Vallejo to SFO (one way): $259
- Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $245
- Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport in a SUV: $203
- San Francisco Airport (SFO) to Cruise Terminal - Arrival Private Transfer: $182
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or San Francisco?
Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Juan $36San Francisco $46
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 San Francisco
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide: $19
- North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $79
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Bay: $82
- Secret Food Tours San Francisco: $83
- Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $85
- Farmers' Market & Ferry Building Food Tour: $87
- Mission District Walking Food Tour: $89
- Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco North Beach Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco North Beach and Chinatown - Secret Food Tours: $89
- San Francisco Chinatown Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49San Francisco $46
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
- 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 San Francisco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
- 2hr - SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
- Private Walking Tour in Muir Woods and Tickets : $20
- "Summer of Love" tour in Haight-Ashbury in French: $63
- 1 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $73
- 2-Hour Double Decker City Tour of San Francisco: $73
- 2HR Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Loop GoCar Tour: $172
- 2hr - INTERACTIVE Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
- 2hr - INTERACTIVE Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
- 2hr - SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
- 2hr PRIVATE Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay 6 Guests: $695
- 3 in 1 Tour: Muir Woods, Sausalito & Half Day Wine Country Visit: $189
- 3-Hour Private Group San Francisco Open Top Jeep Tour: $249
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12San Francisco $22
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
- Chinatown San Francisco’s Bar Crawl: An Audio Tour: $4.99
- SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $27
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
- 2 to 3 Hour Bar Crawl in Castro San Francisco: $49
- Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
- Private Wine Tour Napa or Sonoma from $99 per person up to 7 & Concierge Service: $99
- Small Group: The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $109
- Big Bus Napa and Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: $125
- Half-Day Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings: $126
- From The Ultimate Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
- The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco 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 San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and San Francisco is in North America, 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 San Juan Expensive? and Is San Francisco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or San Francisco?
San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?
San Francisco 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 San Francisco in the Summer?
Both San Francisco 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, many visitors come to San Francisco in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, San Juan is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than San Francisco. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit San Juan or San Francisco in the Autumn?
Both San Francisco 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, most visitors come to San Francisco for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
San Juan is much warmer than San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit San Juan or San Francisco in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and San Francisco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than San Francisco. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)San Francisco 50°F (10°C)
Should I visit San Juan or San Francisco in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Juan as well as San Francisco. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
San Juan usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)San Francisco 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for San Francisco and San Juan
| San Juan | San Francisco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 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.