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

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Should you visit Cairo or Johannesburg?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Johannesburg can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cairo or Johannesburg?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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 place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Cairo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $27, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $93. 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 Cairo and Johannesburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $14
    Johannesburg $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $28
    Johannesburg $106
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Johannesburg

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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 Cairo


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $4.58
    Johannesburg $16
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.13
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Cairo or Giza Hotels to Cairo Airport: $5.00
  • Hurghada Airport Private Transfer To Hurghada Hotels: $8.66
  • Private Arrival or Departure Cairo Airport Transfer: $9.50
  • Transfer from Cairo or Giza Hotels to Cairo Airport: $9.90
  • Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Your Hotel: $9.90
  • Cairo Airport Transfer by private car: $10
  • Private Cairo Airport Transfers & Limousine to Anywhere in Cairo or vice versa: $10
  • Private Airport Transfer to Cairo and Giza Hotels: $10
  • Private pickup & Transfer from & to cairo Airport: $11
  • Private Arrival Transfer From Cairo Airport: $11
  • Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Cairo or Giza: $11
  • Private Transfer from Cairo Airport: $12

Typical Local Transportation prices in Johannesburg

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $46
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure JNB - Airport Transfers: $65
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $34
  • 3 Day All Incl. Private Kruger Park Safari Incl. Transfer From Johannesburg: $1,272
  • 4 Day All Incl. Private Kruger Park Safari Incl. Transfer From Johannesburg: $2,056
  • Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $43
  • Arrival Private Transfer JNB Airport to Johannesburg, Pretoria or SunCity by Van: $75
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Business Car: $59
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $71
  • Comfort Private Airport Transfer: OR Tambo Airport (JNB): $38
  • Daily Private Transfers to/from Pilanesberg National Park: $145
  • Departure Airport Transfer: OR Tambo International Airport (JNB): $38

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Johannesburg?

Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Cairo 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
    Cairo $7.29
    Johannesburg $16
Typical Food prices in Cairo

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


  • Juice
    $0.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Unusual Cairo Food Tour : $15
  • Delicious food tour in Cairo: $15
  • Family Safari, ATV Quad Bike, Buggy, Dinner, Transfer - Hurghada: $16
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile with Private Transfer from Cairo: $16
  • 2-Hour Nile River Night Dinner Cruise from Cairo: $16
  • Super Safari ATV , Drive Buggy Car, Camel Ride, Dinner, Show-Hurghada: $19
  • Dinner Cruise Cairo With Belly Dancer Show in The Nile River: $20
  • Buffet Dinner Cruise with Folkloric Show: $21
  • Royal Safari Jeep - Quad - Buggy - Show and dinner from Hurghada: $22
  • local oriental food tour from Cairo or Giza hotels: $23
  • Dinner Cruise on the Nile River in Cairo with Entertainment: $23
  • Private Cairo Nile Cruise with Dinner : $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg

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

  • Half-Day Private Unique Johannesburg Urban Dinner Date: $30
  • Taste of Africa Food Tour: $45
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $98
  • Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $213
  • 3-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $732
  • 4-Day Kruger Park Safari & Panoramic Tour Combo including Breakfast and Dinner: $959
  • 4-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $959
  • 5-Day Kruger Park Safari & Panoramic Tour Combo including Breakfast and Dinner: $1,193
  • 5-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $1,193

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cairo $8.83
    Johannesburg $21
Typical Entertainment prices in Cairo

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


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $1.29
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $9.97

Tours and Activities in Cairo

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

  • Papyrus ,Perfume ,Golden Cartouche and Egyptian Cotton Cairo Shopping Tour : $5.00
  • Private Guided Shopping Tour in Cairo: $8.00
  • Private Tour to the Egyptian Museum and tour to the famous old arts of Egypt: $9.00
  • Private tour to The Mosque of Muhammad Ali: $9.00
  • Private Tour to old Islamic Cairo and the old famous arts: $9.00
  • Cairo Highlights Tours Visit Giza Pyramids and Sphinx: $10
  • Private Day tour to Giza pyramids and Sphinx : $10
  • Top Half Day Tour To Giza Pyramids And Sphinx: $10
  • Cairo Half day tours to Giza Pyramids and Sphinx: $10
  • Authentic Breakfast with locals and tour to Giza pyramids and sphinx: $10
  • Best Half-Day tour to Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx with Lunch and Camel Ride : $10
  • 5 Hours Private Tour to Giza pyramids Sphinx and Old Coptic Cairo: $10

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: $15
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $15
  • Professional, Safe and Reliable Shuttle Service, Tours and Safari: $27
  • Ponte Experience: $27
  • Maboneng Street Art Tour: $27
  • Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $29
  • Soweto Township Tour: $30
  • Central Business District: Johannesburg's Downtown Walking Tour : $30
  • Johannesburg's Art Gallery Hoping & Street Art Experience (Meet the Artist): $30
  • Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour : $30
  • Soweto: Walking Tour with a Local Guide and Lunch: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cairo $1.80
    Johannesburg $4.62

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 1 Free Drink: $52

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: $8.13
  • Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $12
  • Private Johannesburg Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $86

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Cairo or Johannesburg?

Cairo is bigger, and its population is about 3.8 times larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the population of Cairo vs. 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 and the activities 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Cairo vs. Johannesburg Travel Comparison

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