Which place is cheaper, Seattle or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Seattle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Seattle? 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 Seattle?
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.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Seattle $205
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $205. 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 Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Seattle $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Seattle $240
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Seattle
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Seattle? 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 Seattle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Seattle $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
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Lightrail from Airport (for 2)$5.50
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Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
- Smith Cove Terminal: Private Transfer to Seattle hotels: $308
- Seattle Tacoma Airport(SEA): Transfer to Smith Cove Terminal: $308
- Seattle, WA: Seaplane transfer to Vancouver, BC: $283
- Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA): Private Transfer to Seattle: $265
- Private Transfer Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle center or port by Minibus or SUV: $195
- From Seattle Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $175
- From Seattle Airport - Transfer to Hotel & Homes: $175
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Seattle Airport (SEA) -Seattle Downtown: $171
- Seattle Tacoma Airport to Summit at Snoqualmie Arrival Transfer: $153
- Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Smith Cove Terminal - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $149
- Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
- From Snoqualmie Falls and Wineries Tour w/ Transfer: $145
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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 $36Seattle $51
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
Typical Food Prices in Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70$7.00
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Cashews at Pike Place Market$6.00
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6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market$3.25
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Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)$21
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Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)$32
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Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
- Seattle : Fun Cooking Classes With Chef Seamus: $60
- Secret Food Tours Seattle: $65
- Seattle Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours: $67
- Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour: $67
- Eat Around the World Seattle Food Tour: $69
- International District Food Tour: $69
- Street Food Tour of South Lake Union: $75
- Secret Food Tours: Seattle Pike Place Market: $85
- Pike Place Market Food Tour: $99
- Small Group Cooking Class: $138
- Private Seattle Cooking Class with a Chef in Her Home: $198
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Seattle $16
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.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Skip-the-Line Heritage Tour Ticket: $46
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
- 3 Hour Seattle City Tour: $90
- 2 Hour Seattle City Snapshots Tour: $85
- 2 Hour Sound Tour: $98
- 2-Hour Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour: $45
- 3 Hours Electric Bike Tour of Seattle's Waterways, Nature and Neighborhoods: $87
- 5-hour Seattle and Suburbs Attractions Tour: $185
- Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour: $29
- Best of Seattle Small Group Walking Tour W/ Space Needle: $244
- Boeing Factory Tour with Guided Transport from Seattle: $125
- Chef Guided Happy Hour Tour - Cocktails, Bubbles and Bites: $140
- CitySightseeing Seattle Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras: $43
- Customized Mount Rainier Tour from Seattle: $176
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Seattle $16
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 Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
- Where the Hops Grow! Yakima Brewery Tour : $40
- Woodinville Wine Country: Downtown Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Woodinville Wine Country: Artisan Hill Wine Tasting Pass: $65
- Brewery and Restaurant Tour of Historic Seattle Neighborhood: $109
- Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour : $120
- From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting: $262
- Snoqualmie Falls + Wine Tasting: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour: $263
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Seattle?
Seattle has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Seattle, 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 Seattle?
Seattle 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 Seattle in the Summer?
Both Seattle and San Juan during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle 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 a little warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (83°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the summer, San Juan often gets less sunshine than Seattle. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Seattle 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Seattle in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Seattle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle 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 Seattle in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than Seattle. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Seattle 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Seattle in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Seattle. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
In the winter, San Juan is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Juan in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Seattle averages at about 42°F (5°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the winter, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Seattle. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Seattle. San Juan usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Seattle 42°F (5°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Seattle in the Spring?
Both Seattle and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.
In April, San Juan is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 26°C (79°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during spring. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Juan usually receives more rain than Seattle. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Seattle 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Seattle and San Juan
| San Juan | Seattle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 6 inches (152 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.