Which place is cheaper, Soweto or Jinja?
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 Jinja or Soweto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jinja or Soweto, 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 Soweto?
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.
Soweto
The name Soweto is an acronym for South Western Townships, first used in 1963 to describe the groups of townships to the south west of Johannesburg. It is a city of contrasts, featuring anything from tin shanties to luxurious mansions, and is probably best known for being the home of two Nobel Prize winners.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Uganda, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Uganda, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cape Town, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cape Town.
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Jinja Prices
Uganda PricesSoweto Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJinja $116Soweto $75
The average daily cost (per person) in Jinja is $116, while the average daily cost in Soweto is $75. 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 Soweto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJinja $45Soweto $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJinja $90Soweto $62
Compare Hotels in Jinja and Soweto
Looking for a hotel in Jinja or Soweto? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jinja $22Soweto $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jinja
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jinja:
- 1-Day Source of River Nile Tour with Transfers: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Jinja or Soweto?
Prices for flights to both Soweto 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 $51Soweto $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jinja $30Soweto $16
Tours and Activities in Jinja
Here are a few actual costs in Jinja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Jinja And Source Of The Nile River Tour(female Guided): $295
- 1-DAY BEST JINJA & SOURCE OF RIVER NILE TOUR: $220
- 2 days Jinja adventure with white water rafting and tubing: $200
- David's Shared Walking Tour in Jinja with a Local Cultural Meal: $40
- EPIC UGANDA SAFARI ADVENTURE | (2 Adults-1 Child Tier) 5-Day: $3,850
- HIGH-OCTANE ADVENTURES—QUADBIKE, ZIPLINE, RIVER-RAFT & MORE: $2,750
- Half-Day Jinja Walking Tour: Source of Nile & Boat Ride Options: $31
- Jinja 2-Day Trip with boat cruise, Zip lining, Quad Bikes: $492
- 2 Day tour with visit to the Sipi Falls: $397
- Full Day Tour with source of the Nile Boat Cruise: $166
- Guided Walking Tour with Optional Source of the Nile: $31
- UGANDA HORSEBACK — SCENIC LANDSCAPES & ADVENTURES | 8-Days: $3,200
Tours and Activities in Soweto
For Soweto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Johannesburg: Soweto Half-Day Tour: $57
- Johannesburg: Soweto Tour with Lunch: $68
- Johannesburg: Soweto Night Tour: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJinja $14Soweto $7.98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jinja and Soweto, we can see that Jinja is more expensive. And not only is Soweto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Soweto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Soweto 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 Soweto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jinja Expensive? and Is Soweto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jinja or Soweto?
Soweto has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Jinja. When comparing the sizes of Jinja and Soweto, 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.