Which place is cheaper, Accra or Johannesburg?
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 Johannesburg or Accra?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Johannesburg and Accra can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Johannesburg or Accra?
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.
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 Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana, and The Best Safaris in Ghana.
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Johannesburg Prices
South Africa PricesAccra Prices
Ghana Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $122Accra $51
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $122, while the average daily cost in Accra is $51. 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 Johannesburg and Accra in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $62Accra $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $124Accra $44
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Accra
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg 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.
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: Johannesburg Hotel Prices and Accra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $18Accra $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
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Taxi Ride$3.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- JNB Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $12
- Private Transfer in Johannesburg OR Tambo and Lanseria: $19
- 24 hour Airport Shuttle and Transfer: $29
- 24 Hour Private Transfer Sandton to OR Tambo: $29
- O R Tambo Airport Sedan Transfers: Sandton, Rosebank and Melrose: $34
- Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport JNB Private Transfer: $37
- Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- OR Tambo Airport Private Transfer To Sandton: $38
- Airport Shuttle and Private Transfers: $39
- 1-4 Passenger Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $40
- Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport (JNB) Departure Transfer: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:
- Private Accra Airport Transfer, Pickup & Drop-off Services: $35
- Private Accra Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet: $39
- Kotoka Airport Private Transfer within Accra City: $50
- Arrival & Departure Airport Hotel Transfers: $70
- Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $77
- Accra Private Airport Transfer: Zero-Stress Meet & Greet: $80
- Airport & City Transfers: $100
- Aburi Gardens Transfers: $187
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Accra?
Prices for flights to both Accra and Johannesburg 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 dayJohannesburg $33Accra $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Unique street food tour from at least 6 different cultures!: $78
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $85
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $96
- Johannesburg Culture and Food Tour: $98
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $112
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $125
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $133
- Pan African Cooking Class & Dinning Experience: $138
- Soweto Township Tour With African food tour: $145
- Rooftop Bar, Dinner and Clubbing (Amapiano): $217
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Accra.
- Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
- Accra Osu Night Market Food Tour with Akosua Serwaa: $80
- Private Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra with Local Drinks: $80
- Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
- Private Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $90
- 12-Course Heritage Tasting Dinner & Optional Nightlife Experience: $130
- Private Ghanaian Cooking Class at Accra's Premier Food Hub: $200
- Quad Biking, Landmark Tours and Dinner in Aburi: $218
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $24Accra $3.87
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Mapatiza Mine Guided Tour with Showroom: $4.63
- Mandela House Entry Ticket: $6.08
- Mapatiza Gemstone Mine Tour Discover Gemstone Transformation: $6.23
- Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Soweto Option: $19
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $22
- Architectural Walking Tour: $25
- Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour: $28
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $32
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $32
- Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour: $34
- Soweto Township Tour: $35
- Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $35
Tours and Activities in Accra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:
- Accra Guided City Tour Cultural and Historical Experience: $40
- Makola Market Walking Tour: $41
- Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day: $45
- Accra City Day Tour Experience.: $48
- African Alcoholic Drinks Tasting Experience: $50
- 1 Day Accra City Tour: $51
- Ghanaian Food Tasting Experience with Music and Drinks: $54
- Ticket to Legacy Rhythm and Fire Show in Ghana: $60
- Accra Textiles and Fashion Tour: $60
- Accra Nightlife Tour: Experience Great Vibes & 2 Free drinks: $60
- Half-Day Private Tour of Nima Market with Pick Up: $65
- Accra Guided City Tour: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $5.38Accra $5.55
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: $9.44
- Wine Tasting: $12
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $162
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Accra, we can see that Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Johannesburg 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 Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Accra Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Accra?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Accra. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg 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.
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.