Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Johannesburg or Cape Town?
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 Cape Town 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 Cape Town?
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.
Cape Town
Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.
Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in South Africa.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $94Cape Town $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $94, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $96. 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 Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $54Cape Town $38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $108Cape Town $76
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Cape Town? 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 Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $16Cape Town $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
-
Taxi Ride$3.19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $171
- Shuttle Transfer from Johannesburg Airport to Hazyview: $64
- Private Van Airport Transfers : Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria: $71
- Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Car: $102
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Sedan Car: $61
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Van: $71
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Car: $102
- Private Transfer, Airports to Cradle of Humankind & Muldersdrift : $142
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg To Pilanesberg: $214
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria hotels: $163
- Private Transfer Johannesburg Pretoria or SunCity to JNB Airport by Business Car: $70
- Private Transfer JNB Airport to Johannesburg Pretoria or SunCity by Business Car: $76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfers in Cape Town- One way/Round Trips: $15
- 24 hour Private Airport Shuttle and Transfer CBD: $16
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $16
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Claremont Cape Town : $17
- Airport Transfer to Cape Town Cruise Terminal: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Cape Town City Center (CBD): $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $17
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Muizenberg Cape Town : $17
- Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Constantia: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town 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 dayJohannesburg $17Cape Town $41
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 Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cape Malay Cooking with a Chef Founder: $27
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $39
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $41
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $54
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $54
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $57
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $58
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $60
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $60
- From CapeTown: African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $60
- Cruise and Dine Dinner / Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $68
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $73
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $21Cape Town $23
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: $219
- Private Full Day Johannesburg Historical Tour : $187
- Rhino and Lion Park Safari Tour : $94
- Soweto half day tour including Mandela House.Private transport: $67
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $29
- 10 Days Overland Tour-Johannesburg and Cape Town: $2,589
- 15 Days Johannesburg, Kruger National Park – Cape Town Tour: $3,884
- 3 Day Kruger National Park Tour from Johannesburg: $823
- 3 Days 2 Nights Panorama Tour & Kruger National park Safari: $797
- 3 Days Big 5 Kruger National Park Tour from Johannesburg: $1,176
- 4-Days Overnight Experience in The Panorama Route & Safari: $1,663
- 6 Days Johannesburg and Kruger National Park Tour: $1,553
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $2.99
- District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $3.11
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.48
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.01
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.28
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.28
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Return Ticket : $5.15
- Private Guided Tour of Cape Town Diamond Museum: $5.18
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $4.65Cape Town $20
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town
Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Distillery Tour, rum and gin tasting: $6.96
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.43
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $19
- Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $24
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
- Wine tasting tour : $36
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $37
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $37
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $45
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $47
- Fullday Wine Tour: $49
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $50
When comparing the travel costs between Johannesburg and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Cape Town, 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.