Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Philadelphia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Philadelphia or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Philadelphia or Ponce, 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: Philadelphia or Ponce?
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
Ponce
Ponce is on the south coast of Puerto Rico. It's the second largest city on the island and has been around since 1692 when it was originally founded by Ponce de Leon's grandson Juan Ponce de Leon y Loayza. The city has several nicknames, including La Perla del Sur (The Pearl of the South), La Ciudad Senorial (The Noble, or Lordly, City), and La Ciudad de las Quenepas (Genip City).
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Philadelphia Prices
USA PricesPonce Prices
Puerto Rico Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhiladelphia $224Ponce $230
The average daily cost (per person) in Philadelphia is $224, while the average daily cost in Ponce is $230. 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 Philadelphia and Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhiladelphia $119Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhiladelphia $238Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Philadelphia and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Philadelphia or Ponce? 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: Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Philadelphia $28Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Philadephia to Philadelphia Airport PHL by Sedan: $94
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $104
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Airport PHL by Business Car: $104
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private transfer from PHL to Philadelphia Downtown: $130
- Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadephia Airport PHL by SUV: $146
- Private Transfer Philadephia Airport PHL to Philadelphia by SUV: $152
- Philadelphia City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer: $210
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $217
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Philadelphia or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce and Philadelphia 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 dayPhiladelphia $84Ponce $61
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Philadelphia Africatown Walking Food Tour: $56
- Nibble Food Tour: $58
- Philadelphia Italian Market Public Food Tour: $59
- Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market : $59
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Behind The Scenes Food Tour: South Philly & Italian Market: $95
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $105
- City Cruises Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $109
- Italian Market Private 2.5 Hour Walking Food Tour : $130
- Flavours of Private Reading Market 2.5-hr Food Tour: $290
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ponce
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ponce.
- Latin Night with Dinner and Local Music with Transportation: $59
- Puerto Rico Art and Wine Dinner with One Way Transportation: $89
- Private Cooking Class with a Fun Local in San German, Puerto Rico: $96
- Private Half-Day Island Authentic Food Tour : $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Philadelphia $28Ponce $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Philadelphia Haunted Ghost Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Philadelphia Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Historic Sites of Philadelphia Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.49
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Philadelphia by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Allentown by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Allentown: $10
- The Road to Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Philadelphia: $12
- Philadelphia Architecture: Discover Every American Style on a GPS Audio Tour: $12
- Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Game Ticket at Wells Fargo Center: $15
- Philadelphia - Freedom: At your leisure & pace. An audiovisual walking tour.: $15
- University of Pennsylvania Scavenger Hunt Experience: $15
- Valley Forge Revolutionary War Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $65
- Scuba Boat Diving Experience in Gilligan's Island at Copamarina: $160
- 2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan: $65
- 5 hours Tour in La Parguera Private Boat Charter: $200
- 7 Hours River Tour with Beach and Learn to Make Piña Colada : $195
- 8 Hours Private Tours in Puerto Rico: $150
- Adventure in Cave and the Guayaney Spring: $99
- Afro-Boriken-Loiza: Food, Cave & Art Tour: $140
- Aguadilla 6 Hour Local Tour: $150
- Camuy Caves Experience Tour with transportation: $130
- Cave Hopping Tour: $198
- Caves Coastlines and Beach; Cueva del Indio, Arecibo Adventure : $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhiladelphia $21Ponce $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Philly Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $50
- Philadelphia Prohibition Pub Crawl: $50
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
Sample the Local Flavors in Ponce
Also in Ponce, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Artisan Puertorrican Winery and Distillery Tour: $50
When comparing the travel costs between Philadelphia and Ponce, we can see that Ponce is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Philadelphia is in North America and Ponce is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Philadelphia Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Philadelphia or Ponce?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Philadelphia and Ponce, 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 Philadelphia or Ponce?
Philadelphia has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ponce experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Philadelphia or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Philadelphia as well as Ponce. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Philadelphia is cooler than Ponce in the summer. The daily temperature in Philadelphia averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. In the summer, Philadelphia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ponce. Philadelphia gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 287 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Philadelphia usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Ponce. Philadelphia gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhiladelphia 77°F (25°C)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Ponce in the Autumn?
Both Ponce and Philadelphia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Philadelphia is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Philadelphia in October average around 56°F (14°C), and Ponce averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. Philadelphia usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during autumn. Philadelphia gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ponce. In October, Philadelphia usually receives less rain than Ponce. Philadelphia gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhiladelphia 56°F (14°C)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Philadelphia during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Philadelphia in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
Philadelphia can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Philadelphia is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Philadelphia average around 30°F (-1°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Philadelphia often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Philadelphia gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ponce. Philadelphia gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhiladelphia 30°F (-1°C)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Ponce in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Philadelphia and Ponce. Most visitors come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Philadelphia is much colder than Ponce in the spring. The daily temperature in Philadelphia averages around 52°F (11°C) in April, and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Philadelphia usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during spring. Philadelphia gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Philadelphia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ponce. Philadelphia gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhiladelphia 52°F (11°C)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Philadelphia
| Philadelphia | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 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.