Which place is cheaper, Berlin or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Johannesburg or Berlin?
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 Berlin 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 Berlin?
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.
Berlin
Berlin is the capital and largest city in Germany. As such, travelers can expect typical European prices for everything from hotels to food to sights and attractions. While it's possible to experience this city on a cheaper budget, don't expect to get much without paying a decent amount.
With a population of about 4.5 million, Berlin is a very international city that is well known for its high level of tolerance, an eclectic nightlife, an artistic vibe and many historical sights. There are museums, palaces and landmarks spread throughout the city. Despite having a significant amount of damage during the last few years of World War II, Berlin has been rebuilt with an interesting diversity of architecture styles. This is particularly true after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Architecture in the city represents many different historical periods ranging from medieval buildings through modern, glass structures.
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 Germany, and The Best Cultural Tours in Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $95Berlin $147
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $95, while the average daily cost in Berlin is $147. 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 Berlin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $55Berlin $68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $110Berlin $136
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Berlin
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Berlin? 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 Berlin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $16Berlin $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$3.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Airport To Suncity Transfer And Return: $405
- Johannesburg Airport (JNB): Transfer to Pretoria hotels: $279
- OR Tambo to Sun City Transfer : $235
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg To Pilanesberg: $221
- Johannesburg Airport (JNB): Transfer to Johannesburg hotels: $195
- Private Land Rover transfer to Sun City from Johannesburg and PTA: $195
- Suncity Transfer: $194
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria hotels: $164
- Private Transfer, Airports to Cradle of Humankind & Muldersdrift : $147
- Airport Transfers from Cradle of Humankind Muldesdrift to Jo'burg: $147
- Private Airport Transfer: $121
- Private executive transfer to sun city or airport/hotels : $118
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Berlin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Berlin:
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Short Trip Metro Ticket$1.50
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Bahn Ticket$3.21
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Short Taxi Ride$21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berlin
Also for Berlin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Berlin Airport (SXF) to Berlin - Arrival Private Transfer : $32
- Berlin Airport (BER) to Berlin - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Berlin Airport to Hotels in Berlin: $46
- Listening Station Teufelsberg Tour with Transfer: $53
- Milan: Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $65
- Private Transfer from Brandenburg Airport to Berlin City Center: $70
- Arrival Transfer from Berlin Train Station to Berlin by Sedan: $72
- Berlin City Departure Private Transfer to Berlin Train Station in Luxury Van: $78
- Berlin Airport Transfers : Berlin City to Berlin Airport SXF in Business Car: $80
- Private Transfer to / from Brandenburg Airport (BER): $86
- Private Transfer: Berlin to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER): $87
- Airport transfer Limousine services: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Berlin?
Prices for flights to both Berlin 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 $17Berlin $56
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: $41
- A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
- JOBURG DINNERS : MABONENG CITY DINNER: $97
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $99
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $216
Typical Food Prices in Berlin
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Berlin:
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Sandwich and Coffee To Go$5.36
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Turkish Sandwich$2.14
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Currywurst$2.14
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2 Pho Noodles$9.64
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Restaurant Dinner and Beers (for 2)$64
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Mauer Park (2)$12
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Coffees at Impala$8.36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- English Comedy Ticket including Pizza in Berlin Mitte: $18
- English Stand-Up Comedy with Pizza and Shots: $19
- Hard Rock Cafe Berlin with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Berlin With Set Lunch or Dinner : $34
- Berlin Mitte kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- Kreuzberg kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- No Diet Club - Street Food Tour with many Tastings !: $59
- Evening Yacht Cruise with Aperitif & Optional Dinner: $64
- Evening Food Tour by Bike: $70
- Sicilian Cooking Workshop with unlimited drinks: $70
- Sharing plate food tour in Berlin: $76
- Dinner Cruise on the Spree with Prosecco: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $21Berlin $24
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Golf Tour, Sun City , Gary Player Course - Rated the Best: $227
- Half-Day Safari Tour of the Magaliesberg Mountains by Zipline: $122
- Private Full Day Johannesburg Historical Tour : $194
- Rhino and Lion Park Safari Tour : $96
- Soweto half day tour including Mandela House.Private transport: $72
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $30
- 10 Days Overland Tour-Johannesburg and Cape Town: $2,701
- 15 Days Johannesburg, Kruger National Park – Cape Town Tour: $4,052
- 3 Day Kruger National Park Tour from Johannesburg: $807
- 3 Days 2 Nights Panorama Tour & Kruger National park Safari: $832
- 4-Day Private Tour Johannesburg and Pretoria - See everything in 4 days : $214
- 4-Days Overnight Experience in The Panorama Route & Safari: $1,735
Typical Entertainment Prices in Berlin
For Berlin, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Berlin Zoo (2)$21
Tours and Activities in Berlin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Berlin.
- Selfguided Audiotour "Old Berlin": $3.22
- Selfguided Audiotour "Center of Power": $3.22
- Rude Bastards tour of Medieval Berlin: $3.23
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Rude Bastards Tour of Berlin: $3.23
- Third Reich and Holocaust Self Guided Audio Tour: $3.23
- Self Guided Tours Berlin With 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.26
- Berlin Alternative Street Art Tour: $3.28
- Rude Bastards tour of Medieval Berlin: $3.28
- Berlin tour - Free offer - in Italian: $3.77
- Museum Island Self Guided Audio Tour: $3.77
- Escape Game and Tour: $3.77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $4.73Berlin $18
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: $8.23
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $115
- Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $226
Typical Alcohol Prices in Berlin
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Berlin from other travelers:
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Drinks at a Show$15
Sample the Local Flavors in Berlin
Also in Berlin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- VIP Pub Crawl with Drinks and Challenges: $16
- brewery tour with beer tasting: $19
- Vagabund Brauerei Beer Tasting & Guided Brewery Tour: $24
- Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Club Entry: $24
- Berlin Pub Crawl and Nightlife Clubbing tour: $33
- The Showgirls of Burlesque: $46
- Showgirls of Burlesque Entry Ticket: $70
- Berlin:sunset boat trip with Argentine wine tasting and food: $215
- German Wine Tasting Tour at the Best Wine Bars in Berlin: $251
- German Wine Tasting Tour at the Best Wine Bars in Berlin: $255
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $404
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Berlin, we can see that Berlin is more expensive. And not only is Johannesburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Johannesburg is in Africa and Berlin is in Europe, 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 Johannesburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Johannesburg 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 Berlin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berlin than you might in Johannesburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Berlin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Berlin?
Berlin has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Berlin, 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.