A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jerusalem vs. Johannesburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jerusalem or Johannesburg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jerusalem or Johannesburg, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Jerusalem or Johannesburg?

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel, as well as one of the most historically rich cities in the world. It is also the largest city in the country. While Tel Aviv holds many of the responsibilities of a capital city, officially, Jerusalem is still considered the capital. It is important to note that most countries have their embassies in Tel Aviv, not in Jerusalem.

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 Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Jerusalem?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $108, 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 Jerusalem and Johannesburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jerusalem $64
    Johannesburg $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jerusalem $128
    Johannesburg $110
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Johannesburg

Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem 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.

Hotels in Jerusalem


Hotels in Johannesburg


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: Jerusalem Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jerusalem $6.74
    Johannesburg $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Local Bus
    $3.17
  • Light Rail Jerusalem
    $9.82

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jerusalem

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jerusalem:

  • Private Jerusalem Departure Transfer - Hotel/Accommodation to Tel Aviv Airport: $48
  • Private Intercity Transfer - from your Jerusalem hotel to your Tel Aviv hotel: $90
  • Private Transfer: From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: $95
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Allaenby Bridge: $105
  • Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $130
  • VIP Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $130
  • VIP transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $130
  • Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $148
  • Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport Private Transfer: $150
  • Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $150
  • Private Transfer from Dead Sea Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $160
  • Jerusalem Private Transfer To Amman: $195

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:

  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $35
  • Johannesburg Airport JNB to Johannesburg Hotels Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
  • Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport (JNB) Departure Transfer: $35
  • Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $42
  • OR Tambo Private Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Airport Transfers : $43
  • Private Airport Transfer & Grounds to Sandton, Johannesburg & Pretoria 599: $44
  • Johannesburg Airport Private Transfers: Departures (Hotel Pickup): $45
  • OR Tambo Airport Transfers Around Johannesburg: $46
  • Private Airport Transfer from OR Tambo Airport to Lesedi Village: $47
  • Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $47
  • Luxury Car Johannesburg Airport Private Transfer: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Jerusalem or Johannesburg?

Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Jerusalem 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
    Jerusalem $32
    Johannesburg $17
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of dining costs in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Orange Juice
    $2.69
  • Watermelon
    $4.04
  • Lunch
    $12
  • Food at Market
    $15
  • Juice
    $2.69
  • Bagels
    $8.07
  • Lunch for 2
    $15
  • Snacks
    $5.65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jerusalem

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

  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant from Dead Sea: $96
  • Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Dead Sea: $115
  • The Best Food Tour in Jerusalem-Perfect for Viral Travel Content: $117
  • Christmas Eve in Israel: Jerusalem Sightseeing Tour with Dinner and Midnight Mass Viewing in Bethlehem: $125
  • Experience Shabbat With Dinner In Jerusalem: $170

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.
    Jerusalem $8.55
    Johannesburg $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Cooking Classes for 2
    $34

Tours and Activities in Jerusalem

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

  • 360 Virtual Tour of Ancient Jerusalem: $6.00
  • In The Footsteps of Jesus Day Tour - Dguide Self Guiding App: $7.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Skip the Line:1.5Hour AudioTour - Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center Ticket: $11
  • Bethlehem Christian Guided Tour: $20
  • Independent graffiti tour in Jerusalem at your own time and pace: $22
  • Self-Guided Tour at Machne Yehuda Market with Chef Tali Fridman: $25
  • Old City Shabbat Experience and Walking Tour: $28
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Old City: $30
  • Bethlehem Half Day Guided Group Tour : $30
  • Guided Shabbat Experience in Jerusalem: $30
  • Old City Highlights Tour: $39

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 day
    Jerusalem $16
    Johannesburg $4.73
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Beer
    $4.84

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 comparing the travel costs between Jerusalem and Johannesburg, we can see that Jerusalem is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Jerusalem is in Middle East and Johannesburg is in Africa, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jerusalem Expensive? and Is Johannesburg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Jerusalem or Johannesburg?

Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Jerusalem. When comparing the sizes of Jerusalem 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.