Which place is cheaper, Drakensberg 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 Drakensberg?
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 Drakensberg. 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 Drakensberg?
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.
Drakensberg
Drakensberg, whose name derives from the Dutch and means "mountains of the dragons," is a mountainous region which encompasses a vast amount of South Africa's interior, extending into neighboring countries as well. It hugs the eastern border of Lesotho, attracting visitors for hiking, backpacking, and admiring the natural wonders of the landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa.
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Durban Prices
South Africa PricesDrakensberg Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurban $66Drakensberg $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Durban is $66, while the average daily cost in Drakensberg is $106. 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 Drakensberg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurban $25Drakensberg $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurban $50Drakensberg $78
Compare Hotels in Durban and Drakensberg
Looking for a hotel in Durban or Drakensberg? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durban $14Drakensberg $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $112
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $45
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $48
- From Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Overnight Safari w/ Transfer: $520
- Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $48
- Durban Airport Transfer to Westville: $204
- Durban Airport Transfer to Morningside: $205
- Durban Airport Transfer to City of Durban: $175
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Business Car: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Durban or Drakensberg?
Prices for flights to both Drakensberg 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 $29Drakensberg $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Durban $17Drakensberg $8.94
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- ½ Day iSimangaliso Boat Safari Tour From Durban: $177
- 1 Day Safari Isimangaliso - Boat Cruise & Game Drive Fr Durban : $196
- 1/2 Day Durban City & Phezulu Tour From Durban: $163
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $127
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $151
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $182
- 1/2 Day Phezulu Safari Tour from Durban: $155
- 1/2 Day Private Tour Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park: $192
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $171
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Natal Lion Park Tour from Durban: $171
- 1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $156
- 1/2 Tala Game Reserve & Phezulu Safari Park Tour: $172
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurban $13Drakensberg $3.88
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 : $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durban and Drakensberg, we can see that Drakensberg is more expensive. And not only is Durban much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durban would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durban 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 Drakensberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Drakensberg than you might in Durban.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durban Expensive? and Is Drakensberg Expensive?.
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.