Which place is cheaper, Antananarivo or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $94Antananarivo $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $94, while the average daily cost in Antananarivo is $72. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $54Antananarivo $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $108Antananarivo $60
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $16Antananarivo $14
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$3.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Johannesburg Airport JNB to Johannesburg Hotels Arrival Transfer: $35
- Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport (JNB) Departure Transfer: $35
- Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Comfort Private Airport Transfer: OR Tambo Airport (JNB): $37
- OR Tambo Private Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Airport Transfers : $42
- Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $43
- Apartheid Museum Private Transfers: $43
- Johannesburg Airport Private Transfers: Departures (Hotel Pickup): $43
- OR Tambo Airport Transfers Around Johannesburg: $45
- Luxury Car Johannesburg Airport Private Transfer: $51
- Johannesburg Airport Transfers: $54
- Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:
- Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $43
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
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Food Meals for one dayJohannesburg $17Antananarivo $29
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: $39
- Unique street food tour from at least 6 different cultures!: $48
- Taste of Africa Food Tour: $49
- A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $97
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $186
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.
- Street food and Cooking class tour in Antananarivo: $163
- Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $21Antananarivo $24
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
- Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $16
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $16
- Architectural Walking Tour: $18
- Braamfontein Street Art Tour: $23
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $23
- Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $26
- Ponte Experience: $27
- Colours of A Graffiti & Street Art Tour: $28
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $28
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $29
- Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour : $29
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
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Antananarivo: $35
- Private Ambohimanga and Ironwork Shop Tour from Antananarivo: $86
- Private Tour Through the Wildlife of Madagascar and the Kingdom of Rova: $136
- Day - Tour Ampefy: $144
- Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
- Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $201
- Day tour discovery Tour to Ampefy village: $272
- Lemur Day Tour at Andasibe Rainforest and Vakona Lodge Reserve: $299
- 3 days -Wildlife and Lemur discovery Tour to Andasibe: $682
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $4.65Antananarivo $9.65
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: $8.08
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $111
- Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $224
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.
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.