City in California, United States
San Jose
Silicon Valley's biggest city: sunny, suburban, diverse and home to tech campuses. Good for business trips, food and the Bay Area base, but car-centered, quiet at night and expensive.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$5,000–7,000Comfortable, one person · $5,000–7,000Details
- Value for money3/100Better value than 2% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–May, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 30°CDetails
- Air quality12.5 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2022) · ModerateDetails
- Internet307 MbpsFixed broadband, United States medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe and good; it is hard in some areas, and many people use filters.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$200–350Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessCards and contactless accepted almost everywhere; a few places and farmers' market stalls take cash only.Details
Where to stay in San Jose
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Downtown San Jose / SoFA | Light rail, Caltrain, museums, bars and the best nightlife |
| Santana Row / Willow Glen | Upscale shops, cafés and walkable streets |
| Japantown | Ramen, bakeries and quiet historic blocks |
| North San Jose | Business hotels near tech campuses and the airport |
Apps that work in San Jose
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: iMessage/SMS
- Transit: real-time public transport in most cities
- OpenTable: restaurant reservations
- Taxis: Street hailing is rare; book rideshare in advance. Taxis exist but cost more.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United States.
- Practically cashless Cards and contactless accepted almost everywhere; a few places and farmers' market stalls take cash only.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards about US$3–5; standalone ATMs in shops often more. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare, US$1–2 per bar drink, US$2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle generally need a US bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA (US$40) before departure; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally 72+ hours ahead.
- CBP has proposed making five years of social-media identifiers mandatory on ESTA; check the form's current questions and answer truthfully.
- Presidential proclamations since June 2025 restrict entry for nationals of a growing list of countries; check travel.state.gov before booking.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs at carrier stores, Walmart and Target, roughly US$25–50 for 30 days; no ID usually needed. A travel eSIM is easiest. eSIMs work for visitors.
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Going to San Jose solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in San Jose meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- VTA (Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority)
- Caltrain
- San José Mineta International Airport
- Visit San José
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.