Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Addis Ababa?
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 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.
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Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia PricesJohannesburg Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $28Johannesburg $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $28, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $124. 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 Addis Ababa and Johannesburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $15Johannesburg $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $30Johannesburg $126
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $2.75Johannesburg $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Pickup and transfer: $18
- Transfer Services Addis Abeba Airport: $23
- Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
- Bole Airport Transfer: $25
- Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $29
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $39
- Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
- Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
- Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
- Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
- Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
- Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
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$3.75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Pilanesberg Transfer from Johannesburg and Pretoria: $254
- Private Transfer to Sun City Resort from Johannesburg: $246
- Suncity Transfer: $223
- From Sun City Resort Transfer with Commentary: $213
- Kwa Maritane Transfer and Game Drive Package: $196
- Private Transfers from Airport to Hotel/Game Lodge: $163
- Johannesburg to Sandton: Airport Transfers (1-8 pax: Van): $161
- Pilanesberg Shared Transfer and 3 Hour Safari: $150
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg O.R.Tambo Airport(JNB) to Johannesburg hotels: $124
- Airport Transfer with City & Soweto Tour: $124
- OR Tambo Airport Transfer To Krugersdorp: $120
- Soweto Tuk-Tuk or Bike Tour with transfer: $117
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
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Food Meals for one dayAddis Ababa $11Johannesburg $34
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
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Slice of Cake$0.04
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:
- Authentic Ethiopian Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
- Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
- Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks: $50
- Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $50
- Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $50
- Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
- Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
- Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $60
- Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour: $60
- Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
- Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting: $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Street Food Tour: $74
- Joburg street food tour in it's oldest suburb!: $78
- Pan-African Cooking class & Market visit: $95
- Johannesburg Culture and Food Tour: $105
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $116
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $128
- Pan African Cooking Class & Dinning Experience: $140
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $141
- Soweto Township Tour With African food tour: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $2.84Johannesburg $24
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- Addis Ababa City Tour & Coffee Ceremony with Shopping areas: $18
- National Museum Guided Tour with Lucy Fossil: $28
- Guided Walking Tour with Coffee & Food: $28
- Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
- Guided City Tour with Coffee Break & Entry fee: $30
- Kebena to Entoto Green Corridor Discovery Tour: $30
- Best Addis Ababa Half-Day Tour: $32
- Premium Addis Ababa Piassa Walking Tour with Coffee Ceremony: $32
- Mercato Market Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup: $32
- Red Terror Memorial Storytelling Experience: $35
- Flexible City tour Museum's,other layover vist: $35
- Coffee Ceremony & Traditional Clothing Tour: $36
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- 1-Day Authentic Johannesburg Experience: $279
- 2-Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Johannesburg: $1,138
- 3 Days Kruger National Park Safari and Panorama Route Tour: $1,599
- 3-Day Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cradle & Lesedi Tour: $799
- 3-Day Kruger Park and Manyeleti Safari Tour: $625
- 4 Day Private Tour in Zula Joburg to Kruger Panorama: $60
- 6 Days Johannesburg and Kruger National Park Tour: $1,845
- Aerial cableway Hartebeespoort Halfday tour: $166
- African Food Tasting Tour: $77
- Alexandra Township Tour: Walking or Walk & Drive Experience: $58
- Amapiano & Afrobeats Nightlife Experience in Johannesburg: $119
- Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria: $214
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $2.35Johannesburg $5.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:
- Pastry, Chocolate, and Wine Tour with Pickup: $60
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: $9.58
- Wine Tasting: $12
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $166
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Johannesburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Johannesburg?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Johannesburg, 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.