Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Doha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Doha 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 Doha 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: Doha or Johannesburg?
Doha
Doha is the capital city of Qatar, modern and rapidly developing with much construction underway. It is home to Doha International Airport, the main point of entry for Qatar, as well as many of the country's best museums and examples of cultural heritage.
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 Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDoha $200Johannesburg $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Doha is $200, 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 Doha and Johannesburg in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDoha $119Johannesburg $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDoha $238Johannesburg $110
Compare Hotels in Doha and Johannesburg
Looking for a hotel in Doha 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: Doha Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Doha $23Johannesburg $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Doha
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Doha:
- Sharing Arrival Transfer - Doha city: $14
- Shared Arrival Transfer - Doha City: $14
- Shared Departure Transfer from Doha: $14
- Sharing Arrival Transfer - West bay: $20
- Sharing Arrival Transfer - West Bay: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer in West Bay: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
- Sharing Arrival Transfer - Pearl Qatar: $27
- Easy Airport Transfers (Airport to Hotel): $30
- Airport Transfer-Hamad International Airport, Doha-Qatar: $34
- Airport Transfer (To and From Doha City): $35
- Private Arrival Transfer - Doha: $50
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 Doha or Johannesburg?
Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Doha 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 dayDoha $61Johannesburg $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Doha
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Doha.
- Private Dinner on Al Safliya Island: $76
- Private Souk Waqif with Lunch or Dinner Tour: $96
- The Pearl-Qatar Food Tour & Boat Ride: $119
- Half Day Doha City Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $143
- BBQ Dinner in the desert resort; Dune bashing & camel ride: $165
- Doha Private Full Day Desert Safari Lunch | Dinner Included: $190
- Full Day Desert Safari with Camp Access, Buffet Dinner,Camel Ride: $195
- Doha : Full Day Desert Safari | BBQ Dinner | Inland sea: $197
- Private Desert Safari with BBQ Lunch/Dinner at Souk Al Wakra: $202
- Full Day Desert Private Safari with Lunch or Dinner: $214
- Private Overnight Desert Safari, Dune bashing, dinner & Breakfast: $220
- From Overnight Desert Safari with BBQ Dinner: $240
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.Doha $18Johannesburg $21
Tours and Activities in Doha
Here are a few actual costs in Doha for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Doha International Airpor: Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.07
- Qatar eSIM Data Plan for Tourists: $8.07
- Al Safliya Island Boat Tour: $25
- Guided Walking Tour of Souq Waqif: $30
- City Highlights Layover Tour: $32
- From Doha Cruise Terminal: Doha City Tour (Private Tour): $35
- Doha Geocaching & City Tour Combo: $35
- City Highlights Sharing Tour: $35
- From Doha Cruise Terminal: Doha Private or Group City Tour: $35
- 4-hour Downtown City Tour: $40
- Doha : Private Custom Walking Tour with A Guide (Private Tou: $43
- Doha City Tour - Airport or Cruise Terminal Pick Up/Drop Off: $45
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 dayDoha $15Johannesburg $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 Doha and Johannesburg, we can see that Doha is more expensive. And not only is Johannesburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Doha is in Middle East 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 Doha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Doha 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 Doha Expensive? and Is Johannesburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Doha or Johannesburg?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Doha. When comparing the sizes of Doha 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.