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

Should you visit Ankara or Johannesburg?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ankara and Johannesburg. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Ankara or Johannesburg?

Ankara

Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.

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 Budget Tours to Turkey, The Best Tours for Seniors to Turkey, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Ankara?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ankara is $116, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $95. 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 Ankara and Johannesburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ankara $57
    Johannesburg $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ankara $114
    Johannesburg $110
Compare Hotels in Ankara and Johannesburg

Looking for a hotel in Ankara 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 Ankara


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: Ankara Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ankara $37
    Johannesburg $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ankara

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


  • Metro Ride
    $0.04
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ankara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ankara:

  • Private transfer: Ankara Airport (ESB) to Ankara: $39
  • Private transfer: Ankara to Ankara Airport (ESB): $39
  • Ankara Private Departure Transfer from City hotels to Airport: $60
  • Ankara Esenboğa Airport From/To City Center Private Transfer: $64
  • Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers to Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels: $71
  • Private Transfers Between Ankara Esenboga Airport - Ankara City Centre: $75
  • Ankara City Center (Cankaya,Kizilay) Hotels to Ankara Esenboga Airport transfers: $76
  • Private Transfer from Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) to Central Ankara: $109
  • Ankara Private Transfer from central Ankara hotels to Ankara Airport (ESB): $109
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Kizilcahamam Town: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Gordion Ancient City: $185
  • Private Transfers Ankara City or Esenboga Airport to/from Beypazari Town: $185

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $42
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure JNB - Airport Transfers: $66
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $35
  • Airport To Suncity Transfer And Return: $405
  • Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $47
  • Airport Transfers from Cradle of Humankind Muldesdrift to Jo'burg: $147
  • Arrival Private Transfer JNB Airport to Johannesburg, Pretoria or SunCity by Van: $77
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Business Car: $61
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $72
  • Departure Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Business Car: $61
  • Departure Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Van: $72
  • From Johannesburg Airport: 1-Way Transfer with Pretoria Tour: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Ankara or Johannesburg?

Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Ankara 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
    Ankara $32
    Johannesburg $17
Typical Food Prices in Ankara

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ankara:


  • A Quick Lunch
    $0.36

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: $41
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • JOBURG DINNERS : MABONENG CITY DINNER: $97
  • Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $99
  • Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $216

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ankara $34
    Johannesburg $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ankara

Here are a few typical costs in Ankara for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Underground City
    $0.25

Tours and Activities in Ankara

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

  • Family-Friendly Smartphone Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Quick Tour, Essentials of Ankara: $6.00
  • Inns and Baths City Sightseeing Mobile Audio Guide: $6.00
  • Private Walking tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $32
  • Ankara : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ) : $33
  • Private Tour with a Local: $38
  • Ankara : Highlights Walking Tour: $48
  • Istanbul: Half-Day Tour with Topkapi Palace: $145
  • Istanbul: Golden Horn & Bosphorus Day Cruise: $165
  • İstanbul: Full-Day Tour with Grand Bazaar: $180
  • Half Day Private Tour in Ankara: $215
  • Ankara Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $218

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: $16
  • Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $16
  • Architectural Walking Tour: $19
  • Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $24
  • Braamfontein Street Art Tour: $27
  • Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $27
  • Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $30
  • Colours of A Graffiti & Street Art Tour: $30
  • (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $30
  • Half-Day Walking Tour in Soweto: $32
  • A Day Of Soweto Food & Beer Tour: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ankara $15
    Johannesburg $4.73

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: $8.23
  • Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $115
  • Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $226


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ankara and Johannesburg, we can see that Ankara is more expensive. And not only is Johannesburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ankara is in Europe and Johannesburg is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Johannesburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Johannesburg 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 Ankara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ankara than you might in Johannesburg.

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


Which is Bigger, Ankara or Johannesburg?

Ankara has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Ankara 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.