Which place is cheaper, Diani or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Johannesburg or Diani?
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 Diani 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 Diani?
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.
Diani
Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.
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 Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.
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Johannesburg Prices
South Africa PricesDiani Prices
Kenya Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $122Diani $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $122, while the average daily cost in Diani is $69. 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 Diani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $62Diani $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $124Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Diani
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Diani? 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 Diani Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $18Diani $15
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$3.68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Van for 1-7 Passengers Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $59
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg HTL-APT (JNB): $51
- Suncity Transfer: $219
- Shuttle and Transfers to Johannesburg and Pretoria: $79
- Shuttle Transfer from Johannesburg Airport to Hazyview: $75
- Private Van Airport Transfers : Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria: $48
- Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg by Luxury Van: $81
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Sedan Car: $75
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Van: $82
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Car: $111
- Private Transfer in Johannesburg OR Tambo and Lanseria: $19
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria hotels: $176
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani
Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taxi and Airport transfers: $70
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Diani?
Prices for flights to both Diani 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 $33Diani $35
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
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $113
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $125
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $133
- Pan African Cooking Class & Dinning Experience: $138
- Soweto Township Tour With African food tour: $145
- Rooftop Bar, Dinner and Clubbing (Amapiano): $217
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani
For Diani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Diani Beach: Cooking Class with a Local: $60
- Diani Beach: Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $24Diani $15
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- 2 Day Kruger Glamping Budget Adventure: $487
- 2-Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Johannesburg: $1,010
- 5 Days 4 Nights Safari Tour In Madikwe And Pilanersbeg: $2,402
- 6 Days Johannesburg and Kruger National Park Tour: $1,737
- Aerial cableway Hartebeespoort Halfday tour: $163
- African Food Tasting Tour: $75
- Amapiano & Afrobeats Nightlife Experience in Johannesburg: $116
- Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria: $209
- Apartheid Museum & Soweto Tour: $133
- Apartheid Museum & Soweto Tour with Hotel Pickup: $85
- Apartheid Museum Tour: $58
- Apartheid Museum and Soweto tour Guided Private: $138
Tours and Activities in Diani
For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Market and Street Food Walking Tour: $20
- Stori Baharini: Story telling walking tour in Diani Beach: $20
- Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
- Diani Beach: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise to Robinson Island: $28
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
- Sunset Cruise along Kongo River on Wooden Canoe boat: $35
- Diani Beach: Private African Pool Map Guided Tour: $35
- Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $35
- Diani Beach: Italian-Swahili Fusion Dining Experience: $41
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Estuary Sundowner Boat Tour: $42
- Diani Beach: Glass Boat Cruise to Robinson Island: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $5.38Diani $8.88
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: $9.37
- Wine Tasting: $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Diani, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Diani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Diani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Diani 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 Diani.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Diani Expensive?.
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.