Which place is cheaper, Pretoria 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Addis Ababa or Pretoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Pretoria, 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 Pretoria?
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.
Pretoria
Located in Gauteng Province, Pretoria is the administrative capital city of South Africa, making it home to many government buildings and three universities. It is actually one of three capital cities, being home to the executive branch, with Cape Town as the legislative capital and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. Within South Africa, Pretoria is also known as the "Jacaranda City" due to the thousands of jacaranda trees lining its streets, parks, and gardens.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa.
-
Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia PricesPretoria Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAddis Ababa $29Pretoria $68
The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $29, while the average daily cost in Pretoria is $68. 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 Pretoria in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAddis Ababa $16Pretoria $28
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAddis Ababa $32Pretoria $56
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Pretoria
Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Pretoria? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Addis Ababa $2.80Pretoria $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:
-
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:
- Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
- City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $39
- Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer: $30
- Bole Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
- Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
- Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer: $100
- Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
- Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
- Airport Pickup and transfer: $18
- Addis Ababa Layover Tour: Mercato Market & Airport Transfer: $77
- Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria
Also for Pretoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sun City Private Transfer: $246
- Airport transfers,door to door shuttle: $53
- Airport Transfers and Private Tours: $44
- Private Transfer from JHB Airport to Hotels and Around Sandton: $41
- Private Oneway Transfer from Johannesburg Airport to Johannesburg: $35
- Private Airport Transfers to Sandton & Joburg CBD: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Pretoria?
Prices for flights to both Pretoria 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 dayAddis Ababa $11Pretoria $29
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:
-
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
- 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
- Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting: $65
- Ethiopian Cooking Class with Coffee Ceremony: $70
- Guided Night Tour with Dinner & Live Music: $72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pretoria
For Pretoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $113
- Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $136
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Addis Ababa $2.89Pretoria $16
Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.
- • Ethiopia Danakil Experience: Fire, Salt & Color Adventure: $450
- • Explore the Wild: 5-Day Chebera Churchura Adventure Tours: $1,775
- "Awash National Park Safari Experience": $280
- 1 Day Addis Ababa City Tour: $180
- 14-Days Northern Ethiopia Tours: $1,580
- 2-Day Wenchi Crater Lake & Ethiopian Highland Experience: $300
- 2-Day: Addis Ababa city tour & Debre Libanos with Lunch: $265
- 2-Night 3-Day Danakil Depression Tour without Flights: $300
- 3-Day Addis Ababa — Monastery, Gorge & Crater Lake Tour: $1,650
- 3-Day Awash National Park Wildlife & Hot Springs Tour: $730
- 3-Day Coffee Farm & Local Culture Experience in Yirgalem: $288
- 3-Day Lalibela Rock-hewn churches and Addis Ababa City Tour.: $890
Tours and Activities in Pretoria
For Pretoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1Day Pilanesburg Big 5 safari experience: $76
- 2 Days Historical Cultural and Sightseeing Tour in Johannesburg: $241
- 2-Day Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria Guided Tour: $199
- 3 tours/ cradle human kind caves and Lesedi Cultural village: $164
- 3-Day Private Tour Johannesburg - See everything: $246
- 5 Hour Lesedi Cultural Village Tour: $119
- Aerial Cableway Private Tour from Johannesburg: $142
- Apartheid History of South Africa (Full day Experience with lunch: $117
- Apartheid Museum Guided Tour: $63
- Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg from Pretoria, every FRIDAY afternoon: $73
- Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg, every FRIDAY afternoon: $73
- Apartheid Museum and Soweto Tour in Johannesburg: $102
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAddis Ababa $2.38Pretoria $35
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Pretoria, we can see that Pretoria 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 Pretoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pretoria 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 Pretoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Pretoria?
Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Pretoria. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Pretoria, 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.