Which place is cheaper, Accra or Durban?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Durban or Accra?
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 Durban and Accra. 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: Durban or Accra?
Durban
The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.
Accra
Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in Ghana, and The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana.
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Durban Prices
South Africa PricesAccra Prices
Ghana Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurban $69Accra $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Durban is $69, while the average daily cost in Accra is $49. 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 Durban and Accra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurban $27Accra $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurban $54Accra $42
Compare Hotels in Durban and Accra
Looking for a hotel in Durban or Accra? 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: Durban Hotel Prices and Accra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durban $14Accra $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Durban airport to Durban city transfer: $39
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $47
- 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $50
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $50
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $50
- Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Private Durban Airport Departure Transfer: $66
- Durban Private Airport Arrival Transfer: $66
- Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $111
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:
- Aburi Gardens Transfers: $187
- Airport & City Transfers: $100
- Private Airport Transfer to from ACC Kotoka by Business Car: $80
- Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Durban or Accra?
Prices for flights to both Accra and Durban 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 dayDurban $30Accra $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Accra.
- Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $25
- Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
- Ghana Jollof Cooking Class with Bottomless Wine : $80
- Accra Makola Market Food Tour With Full Lunch: $82
- Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
- Culinary for Social Change-Cooking Class : $90
- Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $90
- Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Lessons and Take Out Services.: $100
- Hands-On Cooking Class With Local Market Tour Option : $130
- Accra Ghana Private Food and Cooking Class: $130
- Fulani Dinner Experience: $150
- Quad Biking, Landmark Tours and Dinner in Aburi: $218
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Durban $18Accra $3.70
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise: $6.32
- Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise: $8.91
- Luxury Canal Boat Cruise - Fun Things Durban Ushaka: $9.19
- 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf: $9.20
- Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise: $11
- Luxury Harbour Ocean Boat Cruise: $12
- Magical Gondola Night Boat Cruise in Durban: $12
- From Half Day Durban City Tour: $53
- Durban City Sightseeing Tour: $54
- Local Markets and Culture Guided Walking Tour: $63
- Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $65
- City Sightseeing and Walking Tour: $82
Tours and Activities in Accra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:
- 1 Day Accra City Tour: $100
- Accra Luxury Beachfront Experience : $81
- Accra Nightlife Experience: $150
- Accra Private Surfing Experience with Pick Up: $250
- Accra to Cape Coast Tour (Slave Castles and Kakum Park): $220
- Cape Coast Elmina Kakum Park Private Day Tour: $200
- Cape Coast Root ,History, & Active Adventure tour: $174
- Ghana Chocolate Tasting Experience : $180
- 2 Days Exciting Accra and Cape Coast City Tour: $250
- 2-day Tour of Downtown Accra: $216
- 3.5 Hours Private City Tour of Accra: $120
- A day tour of Accra : $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurban $14Accra $5.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Durban
Also in Durban, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Stellenbosch and Franschoek Winelands Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour: $260
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durban and Accra, we can see that Durban is more expensive. And not only is Accra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Accra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Accra 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 Durban would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Durban than you might in Accra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durban Expensive? and Is Accra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Durban or Accra?
Durban has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Accra. When comparing the sizes of Durban and Accra, 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.
When is the best time to visit Durban or Accra?
Durban has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Accra experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Durban or Accra in the Summer?
Both Accra and Durban during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Accra year-round.
Durban is around the same temperature as Accra in the summer. The daily temperature in Durban averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and Accra fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in July.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Durban. Durban usually gets more rain in January than Accrain July. Durban gets 134 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Accra receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyDurban 25°C (76°F)Accra 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Durban or Accra in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Durban and Accra. Accra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Durban is cooler than Accra. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durban in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Accra averages at about 26°C (79°F)in October.
In April, Durban usually receives more rain than Accrain October. Durban gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Accra receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberDurban 22°C (71°F)Accra 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Durban or Accra in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Durban as well as Accra. The warm climate attracts visitors to Accra throughout the year.
In July, Durban is generally much colder than Accrain January. Daily temperatures in Durban average around 17°C (62°F), and Accra fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Durban usually gets more rain in July than Accrain January. Durban gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Accra receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDurban 17°C (62°F)Accra 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Durban or Accra in the Spring?
Both Accra and Durban are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Accra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Durban is cooler than Accra in the spring. The daily temperature in Durban averages around 21°C (69°F) in October, and Accra fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Accra. In October, Durban usually receives less rain than Accrain April. Durban gets 98 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Accra receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilDurban 21°C (69°F)Accra 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Accra and Durban
| Durban | Accra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (76°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 21°C (69°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
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.