A Travel Price Comparison for South Africa Johannesburg vs. Drakensberg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Johannesburg or Drakensberg?

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 Drakensberg 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 Drakensberg?

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.

Drakensberg

Drakensberg, whose name derives from the Dutch and means "mountains of the dragons," is a mountainous region which encompasses a vast amount of South Africa's interior, extending into neighboring countries as well. It hugs the eastern border of Lesotho, attracting visitors for hiking, backpacking, and admiring the natural wonders of the landscape.

Which place is cheaper, Drakensberg or Johannesburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $93, while the average daily cost in Drakensberg is $89. 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 Drakensberg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Johannesburg $53
    Drakensberg $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johannesburg $106
    Drakensberg $74
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Drakensberg

Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Drakensberg? 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.

Hotels in Johannesburg


Hotels in Drakensberg


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johannesburg $16
    Drakensberg $67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg HTL-APT (JNB): $38
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg APT-HTL (JNB): $38
  • Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $175
  • Tour operator. airport and hotels transfers chauffeur and safari tours services.: $30
  • Suncity Transfer: $96
  • Sibunono Shuttles and Transfers : $25
  • Shuttle and Transfer Services in Johannesburg: $82
  • Shuttle Transfer from Johannesburg to Hazyview: $66
  • Shuttle Transfer from Johannesburg Airport to Hazyview: $66
  • Return Private Transfers to Sun City from OR Tambo Airport or Joburg Hotels: $118
  • Private Van Airport Transfers : Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria: $71
  • Private Transfers from Johannesburg Airport to Hotel/Game Lodge: $107

Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Drakensberg?

Prices for flights to both Drakensberg 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 day
    Johannesburg $16
    Drakensberg $16

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: $40
  • Taste of Africa Food Tour: $45
  • Unique street food tour from at least 6 different cultures!: $48
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $98
  • Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $213

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johannesburg $20
    Drakensberg $8.47

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: $224
  • Half-Day Safari Tour of the Magaliesberg Mountains by Zipline: $120
  • Political prison museum,Constitutional court and Soweto tour : $74
  • Private Full Day Johannesburg Historical Tour : $85
  • Rhino and Lion Park Safari Tour : $96
  • Soweto half day tour including Mandela House: $57
  • 10 Days Overland Tour-Johannesburg and Cape Town: $2,663
  • 15 Days Johannesburg, Kruger National Park – Cape Town Tour: $3,995
  • 3 Day Kruger National Park Tour from Johannesburg: $847
  • 3 Days 2 Nights Panorama Tour & Kruger National park Safari: $1,092
  • 4-Day Private Tour Johannesburg and Pretoria - See everything in 4 days : $213
  • 4-Days Overnight Experience in The Panorama Route & Safari: $1,710

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johannesburg $4.60
    Drakensberg $3.67

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: $8.21
  • Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $12
  • Private Johannesburg Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $113
  • Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $229


When comparing the travel costs between Johannesburg and Drakensberg, we can see that Johannesburg 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 Drakensberg Expensive?.