Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Johannesburg and Beijing 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.
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.
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $95, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $77. 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 Beijing in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Beijing? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
Prices for flights to both Beijing 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Johannesburg:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Beijing, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Johannesburg is in Africa and Beijing is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Beijing, 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.