Is Port Elizabeth expensive to visit?
In Port Elizabeth, budget travelers spend $25 (R446) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $58 (R1,018) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $109 (R1,931) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Port Elizabeth.
Port Elizabeth is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Port Elizabeth has the potential to be expensive, but you can manage your budget by looking for discounts and coupons.
Within Africa, Port Elizabeth is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Africa for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Merzouga, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Dar es Salaam.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Port Elizabeth Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Port Elizabeth?
The average Port Elizabeth trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Port Elizabeth travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Port Elizabeth cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to set realistic expectations for your travel budget in Port Elizabeth. While many think they can cut costs for many things, the reality is that most people won't enjoy such a low-budget experience. Consider your preferences and travel style. Do you like resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are activities and dining out a big part of your travel plans? Your answers will shape your budget and itinerary.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $25 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Fortunately, there are plenty of hostels available in Port Elizabeth, such as Lungile Backpackers and Jikeleza Lodge International Backpackers Hostel. In these hostels, you can discover cheap dorm accommodations and a great social atmosphere, though amenities may be few.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. Visitors to Port Elizabeth typically prioritize the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks during their stay. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $58 per person, per day.
There are plenty of hotels and vacation rentals available in Port Elizabeth. If you're traveling with companions, sharing a hotel with a partner, friend, or kids can help lower costs. Families should seek out hotels and dining options that are suitable for children. St Phillips Bed & Breakfast is a wonderful family-friendly hotel, and Conifer Beach House is another excellent choice. For more family and couple-oriented hotels, visit our hotel cost guide for Port Elizabeth here.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're looking for a complete getaway that features every luxury and a high level of service, plan on a cost of about $109 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the destination with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget.
Accommodation Budget in Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $48 in the off-season and averages $90 during peak season. Overall, you can expect prices from $32 to $136. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Port Elizabeth for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $51 (R882). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $25 (R441) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Port Elizabeth? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Port Elizabeth include:
- Jbay Zebra Lodge starting at $66
- Carslogie House starting at $44
- Africa Beach B&B starting at $46
- Sir Roys at the Sea starting at $67
- Hallack Manor starting at $48
By skipping and traveling during the low or shoulder season, you'll enjoy lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds.
Transportation Budget in Port Elizabeth
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $10 (R180) per person, per day, on local transportation in Port Elizabeth. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Port Elizabeth is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$10
R180
Port Elizabeth International Airport is the nearest source of air transportation, located just a few kilometers out of the city center, and has regular flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and other South African airports. For international travel, a greater range of flights are offered from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The central train station operates daily inter-city trains to Johannesburg and Bloemfontein. Cape Town, Kimberley, Pietermaritzburg and Durban can also be reached by changing trains in Bloemfontein, as well as East London, Mthatha, and Grahamstown by various train changes. Additionally, the city is well-connected by bus, all major South African coach companies offering regular schedules to and from Port Elizabeth.
How much does it cost to go to Port Elizabeth? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Port Elizabeth will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Port Elizabeth
One of the biggest draws for travelers is the food, so be sure to savor the local flavors.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Port Elizabeth can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Port Elizabeth is $26 (R442) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$26
R442
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Port Elizabeth is around $25 (R442) per person, with previous travelers spending from $11 to $48. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Port Elizabeth are as follows:
- Breakfast: $3 to $8
- Lunch: $4 to $10
- Dinner: $8 to $18
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $4
As a major city and tourist destination, Port Elizabeth has just about any food available, including sushi and other Asian fare, Mediterranean cooking, Portuguese dining, Indian dishes, steakhouses, seafood right from the Bay, and even Western favorites like pizza and other boardwalk food. Many restaurants even have views of the beach and oceanfront. Richmond Hill has a vast selection of restaurants. More generally, cuisine of South Africa is characterized by a combination of indigenous, Dutch, French, and Indian influences. The indigenous side of things mainly consisted of harvesting fruits, nuts, bulbs, leaves, and other items gathered from wild plants as well as the hunting of wild game, though eventually domestic cattle were introduced as well as grain crops like maize. Today, a staple meal remains mieliepap-a kind of porridge or polenta made from ground maize. Meat also remains central to the South African diet with braai (barbeque) and biltong (dried & preserved) being the most common methods of preparation. Beef, mutton, goat, and chicken are all found in South African dishes. As far as foreign influences go, the Dutch brought spices like nutmeg and chili peppers as well as pickled fish and a variety of fish stews, the French brought wines and traditional recipes from France, and the Indians brought curry dishes, chutneys, and fried snacks, amongst other items.
Many accommodations throw in breakfast at no extra cost, though others might charge you for it. The price and quality can greatly vary by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you figure out if you need to spend more money. You might find the hotel's buffet is worth it, or you may prefer to grab a cheaper bite at a local bakery or cafe.
Bring a water bottle along to avoid the need to buy drinks. It's also good for Mother Earth.
Before you head out on a tour, be sure to find out which meals are included. You could end up paying for some meals out of pocket, which can impact your budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Port Elizabeth
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Port Elizabeth typically cost an average of $10 (R176) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$10
R176
Situated on the Algoa Bay, many people find themselves passing through Port Elizabeth due to its location right along the Garden Route. The route is a 300-kilometre stretch of the south-western coast of South Africa, extending from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the Eastern Cape. This makes the city a great stopping point to enjoy some beautiful beachfront. Hobie, Humewood, Kings, and Wells Estate Beach are the main swimming beaches, while Pollock beach is good for surfing. There is also a wide selection of great restaurants that attract visitors as well.
For those interested in the history of the place, the Donkin Heritage Trail retraces the steps of the 1820 settlers who gave Port Elizabeth its start. Wander through the city's historic center and admire Victorian landmarks that still stand today. The trail is a self-guided walk marked with a blue staggered line that runs past 47 places of historical interest in the old Hill area. Maps are available from the tourism office in the Donkin Lighthouse Building, which is in the Donkin Reserve.
Other cultural and historical attractions include the South Africa Airforce Museum, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, No 7 Castle Hill Museum, and the Red Location Museum.
Port Elizabeth offers a range of activities from beach-lounging, picnicking, and water sports to historic walks, museum-hopping, and sampling the many flavors of the area. The city is also a great basecamp for animal viewing. Elephants and other wildlife, for example, can be found at Addo Elephant National Park and many privately-owned game reserves in the area, as well as marine life like dolphins, whales, and African penguins. Sea life can also be experienced at Bayworld. Other activities include hiking, scuba diving, surfing, sandboarding, golfing, and sailing.
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
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.