Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Johannesburg or Cologne?
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 Cologne 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 Cologne?
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.
Cologne
Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.
-
Johannesburg Prices
South Africa PricesCologne Prices
Germany Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $115Cologne $232
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $115, while the average daily cost in Cologne is $232. 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 Cologne in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $58Cologne $107
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $116Cologne $214
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Cologne
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Cologne? 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 Cologne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $17Cologne $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
-
Taxi Ride$3.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $59
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure JNB - Airport Transfers: $71
- 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $37
- Airport & Private Shuttle and Transfer Services in Johannesburg: $74
- Airport Transfers JHB: $56
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg-Pretoria-Sandton: $71
- Airport Transfers OR Tambo to Sandton Hotels: $58
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Business Car: $78
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $82
- Departure Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Business Car: $78
- JHB: 24HR Private Airport Transfer ORT to Randburg/Roodeport: $64
- JHB: Lesedi Cultural Village Tour TRANSFER&ENTRANCE INCLUDED: $159
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Cologne Bonn CGN Airport to Hotels Private Transfer: $37
- Cologne CGN Airpot to Köln | Bonn | Dusseldorf Private Transfer: $42
- Departure Private Transfer Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne by Car: $72
- Arrival Transfer Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Sedan: $72
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $78
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $91
- Private Limousine Transfer from Cologne Airport to Cologne City: $108
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $155
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Cologne?
Prices for flights to both Cologne 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 $31Cologne $102
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $85
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $96
- Johannesburg Culture and Food Tour: $98
- Zulu Food Cooking and Dining Experience with a local Chef: $106
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $107
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner : $119
- Pan African Cooking Class & Dinning Experience : $131
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $133
- Soweto Township Tour With African food tour: $145
- Rooftop Bar, Dinner and Clubbing (Amapiano): $217
Typical Food Prices in Cologne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
-
Dinner$16
-
Donner Kebab$4.69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $32
- Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $35
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $23Cologne $24
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Mapatiza Mine Guided Tour with Showroom: $4.63
- Mapatiza Gemstone Mine Tour Discover Gemstone Transformation: $4.76
- Mandela House Entry Ticket: $6.08
- Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Soweto Option: $18
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $22
- Architectural Walking Tour: $25
- Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour: $28
- Guided Walking Tour in Johannesburg: $28
- Ponte Experience: $30
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $32
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $32
- Half-Day Walking Tour in Soweto: $32
Tours and Activities in Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking tour of The essential and unmissable: $3.57
- The Dark Side of the Dom Tour: $3.58
- Cologne Highlights, Stories, and Local Atmosphere Tour: $3.58
- Cologne Cathedral tour audio guide with mobile app: $4.92
- Cologne Walking Tour from Roman Era to World War 2 with an App : $6.93
- Aachen Cathedral tour with audioguide on mobile app: $6.93
- Cologne Walking Tour with Audioguide: City and Cathedral: $8.35
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $8.36
- Cologne Interactive City Tour: $8.36
- Cologne Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $9.55
- Aachen Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.55
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $5.05Cologne $27
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: $8.92
- Wine Tasting: $12
- Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:
- Old Town Walking Tour with 1 Brewery Visit & 1 Beer: $21
- Informative and fun brewery tour in German, public: $23
- Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $24
- Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $24
- Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $24
- Brewery tour in Cologne including a variety of tastings: $29
- South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $29
- Night Pub Crawl Tour in Cologne - Shots and Party!: $30
- Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $32
- Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $33
- Kölsch Brewery Tour with 3 Beers Included: $33
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Cologne, we can see that Cologne 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 Cologne 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne 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 Cologne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Cologne?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cologne. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Cologne, 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.