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

Should you visit Johannesburg or Antananarivo?

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 Antananarivo 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 Antananarivo?

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.

Antananarivo

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar.


Which place is cheaper, Antananarivo or Johannesburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $104, while the average daily cost in Antananarivo is $86. 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 Antananarivo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Johannesburg $53
    Antananarivo $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johannesburg $106
    Antananarivo $56
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Antananarivo

Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Antananarivo? 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 Johannesburg


Hotels in Antananarivo


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 Antananarivo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johannesburg $16
    Antananarivo $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • Private Transfer in Johannesburg OR Tambo and Lanseria: $22
  • O.R. Tambo International Airport to city transfer(JNB): $22
  • Airport Shuttle and Private Transfers: $23
  • 24 Hour Private Transfer Sandton to OR Tambo: $27
  • 24 hour Private Airport Shuttle and Transfer: $27
  • Tour operator. airport and hotels transfers chauffeur and safari tours services.: $30
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $34
  • OR Tambo Airport Private Transfer To Sandton: $35
  • Johannesburg : Airport transfers: $37
  • Luxury Car Johannesburg Airport Private Transfer: $38
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg APT-HTL (JNB): $38
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg HTL-APT (JNB): $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:

  • Cheap Transfer from Airport to your Hotel in Antananarivo: $16
  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $50
  • Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Antananarivo?

Prices for flights to both Antananarivo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Johannesburg $28
    Antananarivo $46

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: $50
  • Unique street food tour from at least 6 different cultures!: $50
  • Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $77
  • Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $79
  • Zulu Food Cooking and Dining Experience with a local Chef: $81
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $99
  • Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $123

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo

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

  • Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johannesburg $20
    Antananarivo $22

Tours and Activities in Johannesburg

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

  • Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $18
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $18
  • Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $24
  • Guided Walking Tour in Johannesburg: $25
  • Architectural Walking Tour: $25
  • Soweto Township Tour: $29
  • Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $29
  • Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour: $29
  • Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour : $30
  • Half-Day Walking Tour in Soweto: $32
  • Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $35
  • JHB Maboneng- Street Art Tour and the Roof Top Restaurants: $35

Tours and Activities in Antananarivo

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

  • Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $23
  • Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
  • Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
  • Antananarivo : Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $34
  • Guided Tour and sunset in queen's palace: $61
  • 4-Hours Night Tour of Antananarivo: $106
  • Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $131
  • Day - Tour Ampefy: $139
  • Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
  • Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $194
  • Madagascar: Customizable Tour with Car Rental Antananarivo: $205
  • Lemurs Park & City Tour: $210

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johannesburg $4.58
    Antananarivo $8.93

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: $8.21
  • Wine Tasting: $11
  • Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $12
  • Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $134


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Antananarivo, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Antananarivo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antananarivo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antananarivo 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 Antananarivo.

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


Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Antananarivo?

Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Antananarivo. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Antananarivo, 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.