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

Should you visit Alexandria or Johannesburg?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Johannesburg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Alexandria or Johannesburg?

Alexandria

There are few cities in the world with a history as rich, deep, tragic and fascinating than Alexandria, Egypt. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, Egypt's second largest city has seen the most extreme ups and extreme downs. The city watched the beautiful and iconic Alexandria Lighthouse crumble to the ground after several natural disasters. The Alexandria Library housed their most sacred and historical documents only to be burned to the ground. These structures may be physically gone, but the history remains. Alexandria is a city with an ancient allure that draws in visitors from all over the world. Alexandria is a survivor city ready for a comeback.

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 Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Budget Tours to Egypt, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Alexandria?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Alexandria is $20, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $110. 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 Alexandria and Johannesburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Alexandria $7.65
    Johannesburg $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Alexandria $15
    Johannesburg $112
Compare Hotels in Alexandria and Johannesburg

Looking for a hotel in Alexandria 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 Alexandria


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: Alexandria Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Alexandria $2.38
    Johannesburg $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Alexandria

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


  • Taxi to Train Station
    $0.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alexandria:

  • Alexandria Airport Transfer (HBE) Borg El Arab: $14
  • Private Transfer from or to Borg Al Arab Airport: $14
  • Private Airport Transfer in Alexandria: $22
  • Alexandria Airport Arrival Transfer: $24
  • Borg El Arab Arrival & Departure Transfers: $40
  • transfer from Alexandria to Cairo airport, Cairo & Giza hotels: $45
  • Private Transfer From Alexandria City To Cairo Airport: $45
  • Private Transfer from 6 of October City to El Cairo (CAI) Airport: $52
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria Airport (HBE) to Alexandria: $78
  • From Private One-Way Transfer to Cairo: $85
  • Private Transfer from Alexandria to Cairo in Egypt or vice versa: $134
  • Private transfer from Luxor to Alexandria: $240

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $57
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $36
  • Airport & Private Shuttle and Transfer Services in Johannesburg: $57
  • Airport Shuttle and Private Transfers: $23
  • Airport To Suncity Transfer And Return: $416
  • Airport Transfer And Return: $83
  • Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $68
  • Airport Transfers Johannesburg-Pretoria-Sandton: $114
  • Airport Transfers OR Tambo to Sandton Hotels: $55
  • Airport Transfers from Cradle of Humankind Muldesdrift to Jo'burg: $151
  • Airport transfer: $39
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Business Car: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Alexandria or Johannesburg?

Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Alexandria 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
    Alexandria $11
    Johannesburg $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria

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

  • Half-Day Food Tour in Alexandria, Egypt: $35
  • Alexandria Food Tour: $50
  • From Giza: Sound&light show, Giza pyramids and Dinner on the Nile: $94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg

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

  • Maboneng Street Art and Street Food Tour: $50
  • Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $80
  • Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $82
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • JOBURG DINNERS : MABONENG CITY DINNER: $100
  • Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $128

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Alexandria $3.35
    Johannesburg $22

Tours and Activities in Alexandria

Here are a few actual costs in Alexandria for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Pompey's Pillar Entry Ticket: $3.80
  • Skip The Line Entry Ticket to the Roman Theater in Alexandria: $4.42
  • Skip The Line Entry Ticket to Pompey's Pillar in Alexandria: $4.42
  • Entry Ticket To The Citadel of Qaitbay: $4.42
  • Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Entry Tickets: $4.65
  • Alexandria Free Walking Tour Discover the Hidden Gems: $5.00
  • Skip the Line Tickets for The Catacomb of Kom eL Shoqafa: $6.09
  • Qaitbay Citadel Entry Tickets: $6.09
  • Alexandria Library Skip the line Access Entry Ticket: $6.09
  • Skip the Line Tickets for The Roman Theater in Alexandria: $6.09
  • Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa Entry Ticket with Pick and Drop Off: $14
  • Ancient Roman Theater Entry Ticket with Pick up and Drop Off: $14

Tours and Activities in Johannesburg

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

  • Johannesburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $18
  • Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $19
  • Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $25
  • Architectural Walking Tour: $25
  • Ponte Experience: $28
  • Soweto Township Tour: $29
  • Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour: $30
  • Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $30
  • Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour : $31
  • Half-Day Walking Tour in Soweto: $32
  • Johannesburg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Alexandria $1.29
    Johannesburg $4.85

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: $8.54
  • Wine Tasting: $11
  • Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $13
  • Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $128


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alexandria Expensive? and Is Johannesburg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Johannesburg?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria 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.