A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Durban vs. Accra for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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 Adventure Tours to Ghana, and The Best Safaris in Ghana.


Which place is cheaper, Accra or Durban?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Durban is $52, while the average daily cost in Accra is $38. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Durban $24
    Accra $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Durban $48
    Accra $38
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.

Hotels in Durban


Hotels in Accra


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Durban $13
    Accra $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $32
  • Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $35
  • Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $39
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $46
  • Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Business Car: $76
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Business Car: $78
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Minivan: $84
  • Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $107
  • From Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Overnight Safari w/ Transfer: $500

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:

  • Kotoka Airport Exclusive Wheelchair Accessible Transfers!: $130
  • Historic Slave Walking Tour of Jamestown with Transfers: $127
  • Kotoka Airport Exclusive Wheelchair Accessible Transfers!: $115
  • Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $109
  • Arrival Transfer From Accra Airport To Hotel: $100
  • Accra Airport Hotel City Transfers: $58

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Durban $16
    Accra $9.47

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Durban

For Durban, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Durban: $41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra

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

  • Private Ghanaian Cuisine Cooking Class: $40
  • Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
  • Cooking Class: $75
  • Flavors of Ghana: Food Tour Experience.: $78
  • Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
  • Cooking Class with Auntie KK in Osu: $89
  • Accra Street Food Tour: Makola Market Tour With Full Lunch: $94
  • Ghanaian Cooking Class Authentic Tour: $100
  • Savor & Learn: Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Experience: $128
  • Quad Biking, Landmark Tours and Dinner in Aburi: $203
  • Ghanaian Local Foods Cooking Class: $216
  • Food Tour in Accra: $273

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Durban $16
    Accra $3.39

Tours and Activities in Durban

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.

  • 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise: $5.33
  • Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise: $8.00
  • 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf: $8.00
  • Luxury Canal Boat Cruise - Fun Things Durban Ushaka: $8.41
  • Magical Gondola Night Boat Cruise in Durban: $8.68
  • Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise: $10
  • Luxury Harbour Ocean Boat Cruise: $11
  • Durban Walking Tour: $26
  • Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour: $40
  • Durban Half-Day City Tour - Golden Mile, Botanical Gardens: $42
  • Durban City Sightseeing Tour: $43
  • Durban:Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $51

Tours and Activities in Accra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:

  • 1 Day Accra City Tour: $71
  • Accra City Tour: $161
  • Accra Private Surfing Experience with Pick Up: $250
  • Accra Zoo, Canopy Walk and Botanical Gardens Private Tour: $145
  • 3 Days Special Tour of Ghana: $950
  • 6 Hours Cape Coast Tour: $210
  • 6-Day Electric Enchantment-Off the grid Tour: $1,650
  • A Day tour to the Cape Coast Castle and Kakum National Pack: $180
  • Aburi Botanical Gardens And Boti Falls Private Tour: $220
  • Aburi Botanical Gardens and Cocoa farm - Private Tour: $168
  • Accra - Guided City Tour: $100
  • Accra - Guided city Tour of Accra & Beads making Experience: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Durban $13
    Accra $4.86

Sample the Local Flavors in Durban

Also in Durban, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bar Crawl in Durban : $36


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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Durban 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Durban 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Durban 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Durban 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)