Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Dubai and Johannesburg can help you decide which place is right for you.
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, 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 Dubai and Johannesburg in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Dubai 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Johannesburg:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Johannesburg, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Johannesburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive? and Is Johannesburg Expensive?.
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Dubai. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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.