Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Stockholm?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Stockholm or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Stockholm and San Jose 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: Stockholm or San Jose?
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden and is made up of over 14 islands that are connected by countless bridges. Water is an integral part of the city, but so are parks and gardens. The city is covered in strategically positioned green space. Together, the water and parkland cover more than half of the city's area, giving this bustling city a breath of fresh air.
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 Budget Tours to Sweden, The Best Tours for Seniors to Sweden, 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 dayStockholm $169San Jose $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Stockholm is $169, while the average daily cost in San Jose is $89. 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 Stockholm and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personStockholm $96San Jose $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomStockholm $192San Jose $96
Compare Hotels in Stockholm and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Stockholm 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: Stockholm Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Stockholm $20San Jose $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Stockholm
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Stockholm:
- Train Transfer between City and Arlanda Airport: $21
- Stockholm hotel to Stockholm Port Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Stockholm hotel to Stockholm Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $83
- Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) to Stockholm City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $159
- Stockholm Skavsta Airport (NYO) to Stockholm City - Arrival Private Transfer: $80
- Stockholm Private Transfer from Stockholm city centre to Skavsta Airport: $291
- Stockholm Private Transfer from Stockholm Cruise Terminal to Bromma airport: $73
- Stockholm Private Transfer from Stockholm Cruise Terminal to Arlanda airport: $158
- Stockholm Port to Stockholm hotel Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Stockholm Port to Stockholm Bromma Airport (BMA) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Stockholm Hotels to Nynashamn Cruise Port Private Transfer: $38
- Stockholm Departure Private Transfer to Arlanda ARN Airport by Business Car: $132
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$25
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Local Bus$2.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Jose
Also for San Jose, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer San José Airport - La Fortuna: $180
- Airport transfer from SJO Airport to Los Sueños Marriott: $170
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport SJO to Arenal by Minivan: $177
- Arrival Transfer San Jose Airport to Manuel Antonio by Minivan: $158
- Direct Transfer From San Jose to Monteverde, English Speaking Driver: $181
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to Jaco - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $136
- Juan Santamaria Intl Airport(SJO) to Puntarenas city-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $167
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to Puntarenas city- Arrival Private Transfer: $83
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO) to San Jose – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $64
- One way Transfer from SJO airport or San José to Playa Dominical max 5 passenger: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Stockholm or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Stockholm 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 dayStockholm $36San Jose $18
Typical Food Prices in Stockholm
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Stockholm:
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Breakfast$9.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Stockholm
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Stockholm.
- Food Tour: $102
- Stockholm Food Tour: $103
- Stockholm Walking Food Tour With Small Group: $119
- From Wildlife Safari with Campfire Dinner: $129
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.Stockholm $25San Jose $21
Tours and Activities in Stockholm
Here are a few actual costs in Stockholm for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Stockholm Fire and Ice Tour! Dive into Swedish lifestyle! Bike and Sauna: $235
- 1-Day Small-Group Stockholm Archipelago Kayak Tour: $182
- 1-day 7h Royal Palace and Castle Tour from Stockholm: $352
- 2 Hour Stockholm Metro Tour : $39
- 2-Hour Free Walking Tour in Stockholm: $0.93
- 2-Hour Walking Tour Stockholm (Old Town and Surroundings): $3.28
- 2-day kayaking adventure around Vaxholm in Stockholm Archipelago - self guided: $252
- 3-4h Viking History Short Day Tour from Stockholm: $107
- 3-Hour Private Stockholm Photography Tour of Famous Landmarks : $172
- 3-day kayaking adventure around Vaxholm in Stockholm Archipelago - self guided: $299
- 3h walking tour, small group max 10 people Stockholm: $63
- ABBA Museum Fast-Track Tickets, Stockholm Pop Culture Tour: $283
Tours and Activities in San Jose
For San Jose, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Entrance Ticket to the Farm of Hacienda Orosi: $11
- Entrance ticket to the Hacienda Orosi: $21
- Hiking Experience in El Quetzal Private Reserve: $26
- Private Roasting and Cupping Coffee Experience: $30
- Sarapiqui Frog Tour: $30
- Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour: $31
- Poas Volcano National Park - Admission Ticket: $32
- San Jose Walking Nature Tour: Sloths, Birds and Trees: $33
- Skip the Line: Rescate Wildlife Rescue Centre General Admission Ticket: $35
- San Jose Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- San Jose ART Walking Tour - small groups, creative experience: $35
- Corso Lecheria Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayStockholm $26San Jose $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Stockholm
Also in Stockholm, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Swedish Wine Tasting Tour in Stockholm Gamla Stan: $282
- Swedish Wine Tasting Tour in Stockholm Gamla Stan: $284
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 Stockholm and San Jose, we can see that Stockholm is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Stockholm 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 Stockholm would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stockholm 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 Stockholm Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Stockholm or San Jose?
Stockholm has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Stockholm 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 Stockholm or San Jose?
Stockholm 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 Stockholm or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Stockholm as well as San Jose. Most visitors come to Stockholm for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In July, Stockholm is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Stockholm average around 18°C (64°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Stockholm this time of the year. In the summer, Stockholm often gets more sunshine than San Jose. Stockholm gets 260 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Stockholm usually gets less rain in July than San Jose. Stockholm gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyStockholm 18°C (64°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Stockholm or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Stockholm are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Stockholm because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Stockholm is much colder than San Jose in the autumn. The daily temperature in Stockholm averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Stockholm usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Stockholm gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Jose. In October, Stockholm usually receives less rain than San Jose. Stockholm gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberStockholm 8°C (46°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Stockholm or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Stockholm during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stockholm this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
It's quite cold in Stockholm in the winter. In the winter, Stockholm is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the winter temperatures in Stockholm in January average around -3°C (27°F), and San Jose averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Stockholm often gets less sunshine than San Jose. Stockholm gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Stockholm usually gets more rain in January than San Jose. Stockholm gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryStockholm -3°C (27°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Stockholm or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Stockholm and San Jose. Many travelers come to Stockholm for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Stockholm is generally much colder than San Jose. Daily temperatures in Stockholm average around 5°C (41°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. Stockholm usually receives less sunshine than San Jose during spring. Stockholm gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Stockholm usually receives more rain than San Jose. Stockholm gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while San Jose receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilStockholm 5°C (41°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Stockholm
| Stockholm | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (27°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (33°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 3°C (37°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (31°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.