Should you visit Addis Ababa or Johannesburg?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Johannesburg, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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 $60, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $90. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Addis Ababa and Johannesburg in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Addis Ababa can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $38, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $76.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Johannesburg is $102. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Local Transportation
To get around in Addis Ababa, the average visitor spends $6.92 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $15 per day to get around in Johannesburg.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa
Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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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:
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
The price of a meal in Addis Ababa can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $15 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $6.00 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
Johannesburg food costs typically run travelers around $16 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Addis Ababa $15
Johannesburg $16
Typical Food prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
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
In Addis Ababa, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $7.14 per person, per day.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $20 per person, per day in Johannesburg. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
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
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Addis Ababa, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.90.
The average person spends about $4.44 on alcoholic beverages in Johannesburg per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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
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.
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