Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Aswan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Aswan or Johannesburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Aswan or Johannesburg? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Aswan or Johannesburg?
Aswan
Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.
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 10-Day Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAswan $16Johannesburg $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $16, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $94. 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 Aswan and Johannesburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAswan $6.75Johannesburg $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAswan $14Johannesburg $108
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Johannesburg
Looking for a hotel in Aswan 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: Aswan Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aswan $4.34Johannesburg $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:
- Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Aswan: $5.00
- Aswan Airport Private Transfer: $6.00
- Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $6.40
- Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan: $8.00
- Station Aswan Transfer To hotel: $8.00
- Private Aswan Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Transfer: $10
- Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $10
- Private Aswan Airport Transfer To Hotel : $10
- Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $10
- Private Transfer from Aswan Airport to Anywhere in Aswan: $10
- Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Private Transfer: $10
- Private Airport Arrival/Departure One Way Transfer: $10
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$3.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $34
- Johannesburg Airport JNB to Johannesburg Hotels Arrival Transfer: $35
- Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport (JNB) Departure Transfer: $35
- Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Comfort Private Airport Transfer: OR Tambo Airport (JNB): $38
- OR Tambo Private Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Airport Transfers : $42
- Apartheid Museum Private Transfers: $43
- Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $43
- Johannesburg Airport Private Transfers: Departures (Hotel Pickup): $44
- Private Airport Transfer from OR Tambo Airport to Lesedi Village: $45
- OR Tambo Airport Transfers Around Johannesburg: $46
- Luxury Car Johannesburg Airport Private Transfer: $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Johannesburg?
Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Aswan 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 dayAswan $5.73Johannesburg $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aswan.
- Dinner at Soleih restaurant by vehicle: $33
- Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
- Nubian lunch Or Dinner at Nubian village : $75
- Private 3-Hour Nubian Party with Dinner and Pickup in Aswan: $77
- Your Grandmothers Cooking Class In Aswan : $90
- Dinner In Nile Cruise in Aswan: $150
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: $40
- Taste of Africa Food Tour: $51
- A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $96
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $213
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aswan $6.11Johannesburg $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:
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Temple Kom Ombo for Two$1.26
Tours and Activities in Aswan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:
- The High Dam In Aswan Entry Ticket: $2.53
- Unfinished Obelisk Entry Ticket: $5.60
- Philae Temple Entry Ticket: $11
- Aswan High Dam Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $13
- Philae Temple Complex Skip the Line Entry Ticket: $13
- Temple Of Kalabsha Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $14
- Day Trip to Nubian Village with Camel Tour: $15
- Philae temple entry ticket: $16
- City Tour in Aswan by Bicycle : $16
- Private Day Tour to Phalie Temple, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk: $17
- Unfinished Obelisk Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off: $17
- Kom Ombo Entry Tickets Included Pickup And Drop Off From Aswan: $19
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
- Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $16
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $16
- Architectural Walking Tour: $19
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $24
- Braamfontein Street Art Tour: $24
- Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $27
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $29
- Colours of A Graffiti & Street Art Tour: $29
- Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour : $29
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $29
- A Day Of Soweto Food & Beer Tour: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAswan $1.24Johannesburg $4.65
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: $8.02
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $112
- Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $225
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aswan and Johannesburg, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aswan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aswan 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 Aswan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aswan Expensive? and Is Johannesburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aswan or Johannesburg?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan 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.