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

Should you visit Johannesburg or Durban?

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 Durban 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 Durban?

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.

Durban

The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.

Which place is cheaper, Durban 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 Durban is $51. 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 Durban in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Johannesburg $53
    Durban $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johannesburg $106
    Durban $48
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Durban

Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Durban? 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 Durban


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 Durban Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johannesburg $16
    Durban $13
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:

  • Airport To Suncity Transfer And Return: $399
  • Private Transfer from Johannesburg Hotel and Aiport to Madikwe: $292
  • Johannesburg Airport (JNB): Transfer to Pretoria hotels: $282
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Johannesburg Airport to Mpumalanga: $279
  • OR Tambo to Sun City Transfer : $233
  • Johannesburg Airport (JNB): Transfer to Johannesburg hotels: $197
  • Private Land Rover transfer to Sun City from Johannesburg and PTA: $194
  • Private Transfer from Johannesburg To Pilanesberg: $187
  • Executive Airport Transfers - OR Tambo to Sandton : $178
  • Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $175
  • Private Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria hotels: $166
  • Airport Transfers from Cradle of Humankind Muldesdrift to Jo'burg: $145

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
  • Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
  • Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $32
  • Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $35
  • Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $39
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $46
  • Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Durban MSC Cruise Port to Durban City by Minivan: $75
  • Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban MSC Cruise Port by Minivan: $75
  • Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Business Car: $76
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Business Car: $78
  • Departure Private Transfer from Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Minivan: $82

Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Durban?

Prices for flights to both Durban 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
    Durban $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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Durban

For Durban, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Durban: $41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johannesburg $20
    Durban $16

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

Tours and Activities in Durban

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.

  • 30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise: $5.33
  • 1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf: $7.99
  • Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise: $7.99
  • Luxury Canal Boat Cruise - Fun Things Durban Ushaka: $8.48
  • Magical Gondola Night Boat Cruise in Durban: $8.75
  • Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise: $10
  • Luxury Harbour Ocean Boat Cruise: $11
  • Durban Walking Tour: $26
  • Whale and Dolphin Watching Boat Tour: $40
  • Durban Half-Day City Tour - Golden Mile, Botanical Gardens: $42
  • Durban City Sightseeing Tour: $43
  • Durban:Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $51

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johannesburg $4.60
    Durban $12

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Durban

Also in Durban, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Bar Crawl in Durban : $37


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Durban, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Durban much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durban would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durban 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 Durban.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Durban Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Durban?

Durban has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Durban, 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.