A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Addis Ababa vs. Johannesburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Addis Ababa or Johannesburg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Johannesburg, 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: Addis Ababa or Johannesburg?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Johannesburg or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $58, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $83. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Addis Ababa and Johannesburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $37
    Johannesburg $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $74
    Johannesburg $94
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Johannesburg

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Johannesburg? 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.

Hotels in Addis Ababa


Hotels in Johannesburg


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: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $6.72
    Johannesburg $14
Typical Local Transportation prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $32
  • Private arrival and departure Transfer: $45
  • Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa City Transfer: $51
  • Addis Ababa Private Airport-Hotel Transfer: $77
  • Private Transfer from Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $124
  • Private Transfer from Addis Ababa to Bole Airport Addis Ababa (ADD): $124
  • Private transfer: Addis Ababa to Addis Ababa Airport (ADD): $622
  • Private transfer: Addis Ababa Airport (ADD) to Addis Ababa: $622

Typical Local Transportation prices in Johannesburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • 3 Day All Incl. Private Kruger Park Safari Incl. Transfer From Johannesburg: $979
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Johannesburg Airport to Mpumalanga: $376
  • Suncity Transfer: $151
  • Return Private Transfers to Sun City from OR Tambo Airport or Joburg Hotels: $141
  • Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Sun City/Pilanesberg National Park: $125
  • Johannesburg Airport to Johannesburg Hotel or Vice Versa (Private Transfer): $114
  • Direct Transfer to Sun City: $105
  • Johannesburg Airport Transfers : Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Car: $90
  • Johannesburg Airport Transfers : Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Car: $90
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From OR Tambo International Airport to Johannesburg City - One Way: $86
  • Round Trip O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) Transfer to Johannesburg City Center: $84
  • Business Private Transfer: JNB Airport to Johannesburg, Pretoria or Sun City: $76

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Johannesburg?

Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Addis Ababa 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Addis Ababa $15
    Johannesburg $15
Typical Food prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Ethiopian cooking class in Addis Ababa: $61
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $65
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $75
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $77
  • Ethiopian Cultural Dinner in Addis Ababa with LIVE Traditional Dance Show: $77
  • Unique Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis Ababa: $90
  • HALF-DAY + dinner Addis Ababa: $95
  • HALF DAY + DINNER Addis Abeba city tour: $97
  • Ethiopian Unique Culinary Food Tours: $98
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $108
  • Ethiopian Cooking Class and Food Tour, Addis Ababa and Lalibela: $124
  • Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis with transfers: $129

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.

  • JoburgPlaces Secret Underground Storytelling Dinner: $57
  • JoburgPlaces Migrant Cuisine Storytelling Dinner: $57
  • Johannesburg Cooking Class: $60
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve Tour with Carnivore Dinner: $154
  • 3-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $672
  • 4-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $850
  • 4-Day Kruger Park Safari & Panoramic Tour Combo including Breakfast and Dinner: $903
  • 5-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $1,115
  • 5-Day Kruger Park Safari & Panoramic Tour Combo including Breakfast and Dinner: $1,119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $6.94
    Johannesburg $18

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

  • Hiking to Yeka | Stopover Tour: 8687' , semi-monolithic rock-hewn church: $31
  • Arba Minch Walking Tour: $32
  • Addis Ababa City - Half Day Tour: $36
  • Addis Ababa - Half Day City Tour: $36
  • Barok tour Ethiopia @aa: $40
  • Walking Tour of Addis Abeba - Discover Addis the Authentic way: $41
  • Addis Ababa City Tours: $43
  • Half Day City Tour of Addis Ababa: $47
  • Historical Tour: $50
  • Addis Ababa City Tour: $50
  • Impress Addis City Tours: $50
  • Addis Ababa City Tour: $51

Tours and Activities in Johannesburg

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:

  • 10 Day - Kruger Park - Swaziland - Durban - Lesotho - Drakensberg Tour: $2,214
  • 15 Days - Johannesburg, Kruger National Park and Cape Town Tour: $4,025
  • 2 Days/ 1 Night - Dinokeng Safaris and Cullinan tours: $312
  • 3 Day Unlimited Kruger National Park Safari Game Drive from Johannesburg Tour: $639
  • 3 days tour package - Soweto/Apartheid Museum/ Pretoria/Lion Park: $312
  • 3-Day Kruger National Park Experience: $794
  • 3-Day NON-SHARED Private Group Kruger Safari Camping Tour from Johannesburg: $3,013
  • 3-day Cradle of Human Kind, Sun City and Pilanesberg Big 5 Tour: $990
  • 4 Hour Johannesburg City Tour: $74
  • 4-Day Johannesburg to Soweto Pretoria Private Tour Farm Stay: $503
  • 4-Day Private Guided Safari Tour of Madikwe with Meals: $938
  • 5 Day Greater Kruger National Park Adventure Safari: $1,066

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $5.73
    Johannesburg $4.10

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: $10
  • Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $57

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Johannesburg, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa 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 Addis Ababa.

Budget Your Trip

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Addis Ababa vs. Johannesburg Travel Comparison

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