Which place is cheaper, Durban or Johannesburg?
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 Johannesburg or Durban?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Johannesburg and Durban can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Johannesburg or Durban?
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa with a population of over 3 million people. Most of the population is made up of South Africa's black residents, who predominately reside in the Soweto area. There are approximately half a million white residents and 300,000 residents of other descent. Half of the population live in the Soweto area as well as the nearby suburbs.
Durban
The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in South Africa.
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Johannesburg Prices
South Africa PricesDurban Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $115Durban $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $115, while the average daily cost in Durban is $69. 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 Johannesburg and Durban in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $58Durban $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $116Durban $54
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Durban
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Durban? 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: Johannesburg Hotel Prices and Durban Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $17Durban $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
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Taxi Ride$3.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $211
- JHB: Lesedi Cultural Village Tour TRANSFER&ENTRANCE INCLUDED: $159
- Kwa Maritane Transfer and Game Drive Package: $156
- Abseiling & Return Transfer Included Lanseria: $145
- Johannesburg Quad Biking & Return Transfer: Haartebeespoort: $145
- Go Karting & Transfer to Lanseria Included: $145
- Private Airport Transfer: $131
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg O.R.Tambo Airport(JNB) to Johannesburg hotels: $125
- Pilanesberg Transfers: $121
- Private Transfers from Airport to Hotel/Game Lodge: $116
- Airport Transfer with City & Soweto Tour: $108
- Gold Reef City Guided Tour with Hotel Transfer: $100
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Durban airport to Durban city transfer: $39
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $47
- 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $50
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $51
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $51
- Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Private Durban Airport Departure Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Durban?
Prices for flights to both Durban and Johannesburg 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 dayJohannesburg $31Durban $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $85
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $96
- Johannesburg Culture and Food Tour: $98
- Zulu Food Cooking and Dining Experience with a local Chef: $106
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $107
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner : $119
- Pan African Cooking Class & Dinning Experience : $131
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $133
- Soweto Township Tour With African food tour: $145
- Rooftop Bar, Dinner and Clubbing (Amapiano): $217
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $23Durban $18
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Golf Tour, Sun City , Gary Player Course - Rated the Best: $244
- Private soweto half day tour: $80
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $56
- 1 Day Pilanesberg Safari with Tour Guide: $271
- 2 Day Kruger Glamping Budget Adventure: $487
- 2-Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Johannesburg: $1,010
- 5 Days 4 Nights Safari Tour In Madikwe And Pilanersbeg: $2,402
- 6 Days Johannesburg and Kruger National Park Tour: $1,737
- Aerial cableway Hartebeespoort Halfday tour: $154
- African Safari in Pilanesberg National Park - 1 day adventure: $136
- Amapiano & Afrobeats Nightlife Experience in Johannesburg: $110
- Apartheid Museum & Soweto Tour: $133
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise: $6.37
- Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise: $8.97
- Luxury Canal Boat Cruise - Fun Things Durban Ushaka: $9.22
- 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf: $9.26
- Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise: $11
- Luxury Harbour Ocean Boat Cruise: $12
- Magical Gondola Night Boat Cruise in Durban: $12
- From Half Day Durban City Tour: $53
- Durban City Sightseeing Tour: $54
- Local Markets and Culture Guided Walking Tour: $64
- Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $65
- Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour: $84
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $5.05Durban $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Johannesburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Johannesburg:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Johannesburg: $8.92
- Wine Tasting: $12
- Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Durban, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Durban much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durban would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durban 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 Johannesburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Johannesburg than you might in Durban.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Durban Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Durban?
Durban has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Durban, 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.
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.