A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Turku vs. San Juan for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Turku or San Juan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku 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: Turku or San Juan?

Turku

Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland, straddles the Aura River. Dating from the 13th century, it's known for Turku Castle, a medieval fortress with a history museum, perched at the river mouth. Restaurants line the cobbled riverside streets. On the eastern bank lies the Old Great Square, a former trade hub, surrounded by grand buildings. The nearby Turku Cathedral houses a royal tomb and a museum. The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the Finnish capital, and contemporary Turku is full of experimental art and vibrant festivals, thanks in part to its spirited university population (the country's second largest), who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriving by ferry from Sweden and Aland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.

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 Luxury Tours to Finland, and The Best Budget Tours to Finland.


Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Turku?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is $187, while the average daily cost in San Juan is $218. 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 Turku and San Juan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Turku $89
    San Juan $124
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Turku $178
    San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Turku and San Juan

Looking for a hotel in Turku 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.

Hotels in Turku


Hotels in San Juan


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: Turku Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Turku $52
    San Juan $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku

Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $80
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan

Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
  • Transfer in Puerto Rico with Minivan from Airport: $280
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Ponce and Juana Diaz. Hotels and Airbnb Vice Versa 1 Way: $260
  • Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $200
  • Single ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $195
  • Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
  • Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
  • Transfer from San Juan to Ponce or Ponce to San Juan: $125
  • Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
  • San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $120
  • Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or San Juan?

Prices for flights to both San Juan and Turku 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Turku $65
    San Juan $62

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:

  • Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
  • FlyDining: Sunset & City Lights Dinner Over Old San Juan: $165
  • Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
  • Cooking and Connecting with a Local in Puerto Rico: $173
  • Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Turku $26
    San Juan $49

Tours and Activities in Turku

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.

  • Experience Turku with a local guide: $287

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan

For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Horseback Riding Tour
    $40
  • Full Day Snorkeling Trip
    $100
  • 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.

  • Culebra Swim with Turtles Adventure and Flamenco Beach by Ferry: $130
  • El Yunque Rainforest Tour Half Day Earlybird/ Small Groups: $85
  • Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
  • Puerto Rican Food Experience: $99
  • "Exclusive Tour": VIP Rum Tasting at San Juan Artisan Distillers: $150
  • "Yo Soy de PfknR" Bad Bunny Party Bus Experience: $145
  • 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
  • 2 Tours in 1 Day: Rainforest Waterslides & Beach Tour w/Transport: $60
  • 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $75
  • 30-Minute Freestyle Jet Ski Adventure in the Bay: $100
  • ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
  • ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Turku $14
    San Juan $12

Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:

  • Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
  • The Pinones Pub crawl Bar crawl : $70
  • Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
  • Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and San Juan, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. And not only is Turku much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Turku is in Europe 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 Turku would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Turku 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 San Juan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Juan than you might in Turku.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Turku Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Turku or San Juan?

San Juan has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku 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 Turku or San Juan?

Turku 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 Turku or San Juan in the Summer?

Both San Juan and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Turku is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 16°C (61°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in San Juan. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Turku. Turku usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during summer. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Turku usually receives less rain than San Juan. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Turku 16°C (61°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (83°F)

Should I visit Turku or San Juan in the Autumn?

Both San Juan and Turku during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.

Turku is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Turku often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun.

San Juan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Turku usually gets less rain in October than San Juan. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Turku 6°C (43°F) 
    San Juan 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Turku or San Juan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and San Juan. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The weather in Turku can be very cold. In the winter, Turku is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Turku in January average around -6°C (20°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Turku usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during winter. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Turku usually receives less rain than San Juan. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Turku -6°C (20°F) 
    San Juan 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Turku or San Juan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Turku as well as San Juan. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Turku in the spring. In April, Turku is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 3°C (37°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In the spring, Turku often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in April than San Juan. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while San Juan receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Turku 3°C (37°F) 
    San Juan 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for San Juan and Turku

Turku San Juan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Sep 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 28°C (83°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 135 mm (5.3 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)