Which place is cheaper, Durban or Jinja?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jinja or Durban?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jinja or Durban, 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: Jinja or Durban?
Jinja
Jinja is a city located at the source of the Nile in Uganda, Africa. Many backpackers travel to Jinja, as it is known for its white water rafting. This city is the third largest economy in all of the East African Community. It has a population of about 72,000 people.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Uganda, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Uganda, The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJinja $92Durban $52
The average daily cost (per person) in Jinja is $92, while the average daily cost in Durban is $52. 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 Jinja and Durban in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJinja $44Durban $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJinja $88Durban $48
Compare Hotels in Jinja and Durban
Looking for a hotel in Jinja or Durban? 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: Jinja Hotel Prices and Durban Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jinja $22Durban $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $46
- 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
- Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Business Car: $76
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $39
- Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- From Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Overnight Safari w/ Transfer: $500
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $35
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $32
- Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Jinja or Durban?
Prices for flights to both Durban and Jinja 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 dayJinja $28Durban $16
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jinja $29Durban $16
Tours and Activities in Jinja
Here are a few actual costs in Jinja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 18 Days African Jungle Safari Tour: $9,433
- 3days jinja and sipi falls tour: $800
- David's Shared Walking Tour in Jinja with a Local Cultural Meal: $40
- Half-Day Banana Kayak Experience in Bubugo with Lunch: $25
- Half-Day Jinja Walking Tour: Source of Nile & Boat Ride Options: $31
- Guided Walking Tour with Optional Source of the Nile: $31
- Three days source of the nile & sipi falls tour: $760
- Uganda: 4 Day Jinja City Tour Uganda: $1,655
- White Water Rafting & Source of the Nile Adventure: $760
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJinja $13Durban $13
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 Jinja and Durban, we can see that Jinja 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 Jinja would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jinja 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 Jinja Expensive? and Is Durban Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jinja or Durban?
Durban has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Jinja. When comparing the sizes of Jinja and Durban, 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.
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.