Which place is cheaper, San Juan or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zurich or San Juan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and San Juan. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zurich or San Juan?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $271San Juan $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $271, 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 Zurich and San Juan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $171San Juan $124
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $342San Juan $248
Compare Hotels in Zurich and San Juan
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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: Zurich Hotel Prices and San Juan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $36San Juan $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- ST. Moritz Luxury Private Transfer to Zurich Airport: $1,425
- SUV LUXURY TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT ZURIGO to MILANO MALPENSA: $1,094
- TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT MILANO MALPENSA TO ZURIGO: $1,094
- Switzerland: Private Transfer to Interlaken & Grindelwald: $994
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Scuol: $866
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Gstaad Saanen: $657
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Adelboden: $648
- TRANSFER VAN LUXURY DA AIRPORT ZURIGO A BASEL: $646
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Disentis: $643
- Privat Transfer Zurich Airport to Interlaken: $641
- Private Transfer Interlaken to Zurich Airport: $641
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Thun: $620
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
- 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
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or San Juan?
Prices for flights to both San Juan and Zurich 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 dayZurich $62San Juan $36
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$13
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.Zurich $36San Juan $49
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- (STTZ01) - Zurich Open Top Bus Sightseeing Tour : $24
- 007-Elegance: Exclusive Private Tour Schilthorn from Zürich: $633
- 3 Hours Private Tour Around Zurich: $222
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $100
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Zürich: $656
- Alpine Majesty:Zürich to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $808
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $128
- Best Intro Tour of Zurich with a Local: $155
- Best of Zürich & Surroundings: Walking Tour, Cable Car and Ferry: $89
- Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.95
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $73
- Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $115
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 dayZurich $30San Juan $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $33
- Informative wine tasting with Italian appetizers in the secure wine cellar: $155
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 Zurich and San Juan, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich 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 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is San Juan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or San Juan?
San Juan has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich or San Juan?
Zurich 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 Zurich or San Juan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as San Juan. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year.
In July, Zurich is generally cooler than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 287 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as San Juan. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 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 JulyZurich 21°C (70°F)San Juan 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Zurich or San Juan in the Autumn?
Both San Juan and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Zurich is much colder than San Juan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and San Juan fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in San Juan. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Juan. In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than San Juan. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 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 OctoberZurich 13°C (56°F)San Juan 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zurich or San Juan in the Winter?
Both San Juan and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zurich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round.
Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Zurich is much colder than San Juan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January average around 3°C (37°F), and San Juan averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than San Juan. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Juan receives 240 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in January than San Juan. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 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 JanuaryZurich 3°C (37°F)San Juan 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Zurich or San Juan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and San Juan. Most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Zurich is generally much colder than San Juan. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and San Juan fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than San Juan during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while San Juan receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than San Juan. Zurich 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 AprilZurich 12°C (53°F)San Juan 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for San Juan and Zurich
| Zurich | San Juan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.