Which place is cheaper, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Johannesburg or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?
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.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, and The Best Photography Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $95Buenos Aires, Argentina $10
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $95, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $10. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $55Buenos Aires, Argentina $4.07
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $110Buenos Aires, Argentina $8.14
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Buenos Aires, Argentina
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $16Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.55
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:
- Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $42
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure JNB - Airport Transfers: $66
- 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $35
- Airport To Suncity Transfer And Return: $405
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $47
- Airport Transfers from Cradle of Humankind Muldesdrift to Jo'burg: $147
- Arrival Private Transfer JNB Airport to Johannesburg, Pretoria or SunCity by Van: $77
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Business Car: $61
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $72
- Departure Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Business Car: $61
- Departure Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Van: $72
- From Johannesburg Airport: 1-Way Transfer with Pretoria Tour: $109
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Taxi from Airport$0.13
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Local Bus$0.00
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Metro Ride$0.00
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Taxi to airport$0.03
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Taxi$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- ONE WAY: Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP) Transfer to/from Buenos Aires City: $18
- Private transfer Vehicle from Ezeiza Airport to Buenos Aires City: $20
- Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Jorge Newbery Airfield Airport (AEP): $26
- Buenos Aires Center One-way Private Transfer to Local Airport: $30
- Buenos Aires Local Airport One - way Private Transfer from 30 USD: $30
- Private Airport Transfer AEP Jorge New Berry to CAPITAL BA: $30
- Jorge Newbery Airport One-way Private Transfer to Buenos Aires City Center: $30
- Private Transfer from Jorge Newbery Airport to Downtown Area: $35
- Roundtrip Transfer Private SUV Ezeiza Airport (EZE) -Buenos Aires City: $39
- Private Transfer Jorge Newbery Airport to Hotel in Buenos Aires: $40
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Ezeiza Airport (EZE) -Buenos Aires City: $40
- Airport Transfer: Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires : $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Prices for flights to both Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 $17Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.19
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Lunch$0.03
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Cup of Coffee$0.01
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Empandas$0.02
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Espresso$0.01
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Dinner (Pizza)$0.01
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Ice Cream$0.01
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Breakfast at Airport$0.04
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Dinner (Sandwiches)$0.01
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Sweets$0.01
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Hot Dog$0.01
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Breakfast (Take-Away)$0.01
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Lunch for 2$0.16
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Cake and Coffee$0.52
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Dinner$1.85
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Powerade$0.11
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Lunch$0.82
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Dinner$1.19
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Chocolate$3.07
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $35
- 3-Hour Buenos Aires Empanadas and Alfajores Guided Cooking Class: $35
- Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $39
- Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $39
- Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Buenos Aires: $39
- Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $40
- Catulo Tango: Tango Show & Folklore with Optional Dinner: $40
- Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $45
- Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $46
- Small Group Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Blending: $49
- La Ventana Tango Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $49
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Class: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $21Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.28
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
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $16
- Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $16
- Architectural Walking Tour: $19
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $24
- Braamfontein Street Art Tour: $27
- Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $27
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $30
- Colours of A Graffiti & Street Art Tour: $30
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $30
- Half-Day Walking Tour in Soweto: $32
- A Day Of Soweto Food & Beer Tour: $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few typical costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Japanese Gardens (for 2)$0.04
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Movie Ticket$0.02
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Tango Class$0.03
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Bar entrance$0.57
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Buenos Aires Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Recoleta Cemetery Walking Tour: $10
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Evita Peron: Don't cry for me Argentina : $10
- La Boca Walking Tour: $13
- Walking Tour Knowing Rodrigo Bueno in Buenos Aires: $15
- True Crime Buenos Aires: A Walking Tour: $15
- Bike tour through the La Boca neighborhood. Tango, Football and Art: $15
- Walking Tour La Boca: $15
- Graffiti Tour: $15
- Palermo Soho for curious people Walking Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $4.73Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.78
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Buenos Aires, Argentina from other travelers:
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Beer$0.01
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Beer (0.66L)$0.02
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Cocktail$0.03
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Alcohol$0.65
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Argentine Wine Tasting in Caminito with Appetizers Included: $30
- Wine tasting at the Barolo Palace: $35
- Wine Tasting of Argentina's Most Classic and Popular Wines: $42
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $42
- Unique Wine Tasting in a Boutique Hotel : $45
- Wine Tasting at Downtown Buenos Aires Ego Experience: $53
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $62
- Upscale Asado & Wine Tasting (BBQ): $70
- Argentinian Private Premium Wine Tasting Live+Guided Walking tour: $76
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Johannesburg is in Africa and Buenos Aires, Argentina is in South America, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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.