Which place is cheaper, San Jose or Sydney?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sydney or San Jose?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or San Jose, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Sydney or San Jose?
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, 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 daySydney $278San Jose $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $278, 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 Sydney and San Jose in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSydney $104San Jose $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSydney $208San Jose $96
Compare Hotels in Sydney and San Jose
Looking for a hotel in Sydney 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: Sydney Hotel Prices and San Jose Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sydney $15San Jose $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Try find your better than us!AirportTransfer inSydney APT-HTL SYD: $62
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sydney HTL-APT (SYD): $62
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers: $251
- Private Transfer with Meet and Greet: $79
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $36
- Sydney's Best Chauffeured Airport Arrival Transfers: $83
- Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Sydney Port Private Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City: $28
- Sydney International Airport to/from Sydney One Way Transfer: $47
- Sydney Airport to White Bay Port transfer: $27
- Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD Private Transfer: $119
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 Sydney or San Jose?
Prices for flights to both San Jose and Sydney 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 daySydney $45San Jose $18
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.64
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Lunch Special$9.91
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.91
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Meat Pies$3.30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Lights Festival Pizza Cruise Tour in Vivid Sydney: $16
- VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
- Admission to Vivid Dinner Cruise in Sydney : $46
- Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
- Sydney Street Art & Food Tour: $53
- Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise (1.5 hour): $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $59
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.Sydney $32San Jose $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$30
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$126
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Powerhouse Museum$9.94
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Small-Group Sydney's Northern Beaches and Ku-ring-gai National Park Bus Tour: $228
- 2 Hours Sydney Harbour's True Crime Cruise Tour: $36
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Sydney Harbour National Park : $36
- 3 Hours Abba Tribute Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $65
- 3 Hr Whale Watching Discovery Cruise in Sydney: $72
- 3-Hour Private Bike Tour with a Local Sydney Guide: $227
- 3.5 Hours Explore Bondi Beach and Sydney Sightseeing Tour: $195
- 4-Hour Freediving Taster Experience at Shelly Beach, Manly: $182
- Afternoon Discovery Cruise on Coral Trekker: $46
- Allianz Stadium Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Art Gallery of NSW: State of the Art Gallery Tour: $30
- Art Gallery of NSW: Stories of Art and Place gallery tour: $30
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 daySydney $15San Jose $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$11
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $21
- Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $30
- Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
- Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
- Beach and Brew - Hike and Brewery (Men and Women): $73
- Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
- Luxury Hunter Valley Wildlife & Wine Tasting Tour from Sydney: $83
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $122
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $145
- Hunter Valley Wine Tour from Sydney with Lunch and 3 Cellar Door Tastings: $149
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 Sydney and San Jose, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is San Jose much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive? and Is San Jose Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sydney or San Jose?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Jose. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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 Sydney or San Jose?
Sydney 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 Sydney or San Jose in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sydney as well as San Jose. The summer months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Jose throughout the year.
In the summer, Sydney is cooler than San Jose. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January average around 23°C (73°F), and San Jose averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the summer, Sydney often gets more sunshine than San Josein July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 164 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in San Jose. Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney usually gets less rain in January than San Josein July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 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 January and JulySydney 23°C (73°F)San Jose 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Sydney or San Jose in the Autumn?
Both San Jose and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Jose because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Sydney is generally cooler than San Josein October. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Sydney usually receives more sunshine than San Jose during autumn. Sydney gets 195 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. It's quite rainy in Sydney. In April, Sydney usually receives less rain than San Josein October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 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 April and OctoberSydney 19°C (65°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sydney or San Jose in the Winter?
Both San Jose and Sydney during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Jose year-round.
Sydney is much colder than San Jose in the winter. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and San Jose fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
In San Jose, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the winter, Sydney often gets less sunshine than San Josein January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Jose receives 264 hours of full sun.
Sydney usually gets more rain in July than San Josein January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 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 July and JanuarySydney 12°C (53°F)San Jose 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Sydney or San Jose in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and San Jose. Many visitors come to Sydney in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. San Jose attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Sydney is much colder than San Jose. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October average around 18°C (64°F), and San Jose averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Jose this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Jose during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while San Jose receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Sydney usually receives more rain than San Josein April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 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 October and AprilSydney 18°C (64°F)San Jose 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for San Jose and Sydney
| Sydney | San Jose | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.