Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Sydney?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sydney or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or San Juan, 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 Juan?
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 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySydney $278San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Sydney is $278, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $192. 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 Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSydney $104San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSydney $208San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Sydney and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Sydney or San Juan? 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 Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sydney $15San Juan $14
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:
- Limoroo, Luxe Private Transfers to The Blue Mountains Australia: $297
- Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $295
- Private Transfer from Sydney Hotels to Airport: $255
- Tandem Skydive with Optional Transfers: $251
- Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD/Downtown 1-11 people: $238
- Premium Private Transfer FROM Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD/Downtown 1-13 people: $215
- Sydney Airport (SYD): Private Transfer to Sydney hotels: $207
- Airport transfers and shuttle bus - home/hotels: $198
- From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $195
- Airport Transfer From Sydney Airport to Hotels and Home: $165
- Sydney Airport Departure Transfer (Sydney Central Business District to Airport): $164
- Sydney Airport Private Car Departure Transfer: $162
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan 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 Juan $36
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 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sydney $32San Juan $49
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
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
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySydney $15San Juan $12
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 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 Sydney and San Juan, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific and San Juan is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Juan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan 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 Juan.
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 Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sydney or San Juan?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and San Juan, 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 Juan?
Sydney 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 Sydney or San Juan in the Summer?
Both San Juan and Sydney during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sydney in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
In the summer, Sydney is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January average around 23°C (73°F), and San Juan averages at about 28°C (83°F)in July.
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the summer, Sydney often gets less sunshine than San Juanin July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets more rain in January than San Juanin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySydney 23°C (73°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Sydney or San Juan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and San Juan. Most visitors come to Sydney for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Sydney is generally cooler than San Juanin October. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sydney usually receives less rain than San Juanin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSydney 19°C (65°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Sydney or San Juan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sydney as well as San Juan. The winter months attract visitors to Sydney because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
Sydney is much colder than San Juan in the winter. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and San Juan fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the winter, Sydney often gets less sunshine than San Juanin January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Sydney usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as San Juanin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySydney 12°C (53°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sydney or San Juan in the Spring?
Both San Juan and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Sydney is cooler than San Juan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October average around 18°C (64°F), and San Juan averages at about 26°C (79°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Sydney usually receives more rain than San Juanin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSydney 18°C (64°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Sydney
| Sydney | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.