Which place is cheaper, Florence or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Johannesburg or Florence?
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 Florence 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 Florence?
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.
Florence
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.
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 Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $95Florence $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $95, while the average daily cost in Florence is $165. 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 Florence in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $55Florence $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $110Florence $186
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Florence
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Florence? 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 Florence Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $16Florence $23
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$3.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Airport To Suncity Transfer And Return: $405
- Johannesburg Airport (JNB): Transfer to Pretoria hotels: $279
- OR Tambo to Sun City Transfer : $235
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg To Pilanesberg: $221
- Johannesburg Airport (JNB): Transfer to Johannesburg hotels: $195
- Private Land Rover transfer to Sun City from Johannesburg and PTA: $195
- Suncity Transfer: $194
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria hotels: $164
- Private Transfer, Airports to Cradle of Humankind & Muldersdrift : $147
- Airport Transfers from Cradle of Humankind Muldesdrift to Jo'burg: $147
- Private Airport Transfer: $121
- Private executive transfer to sun city or airport/hotels : $118
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Florence
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
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Taxi Ride Within City$8.57
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Taxi from Airport$27
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In City Parking (Full Day)$32
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Bus Pass (Full Day)$5.36
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Bus From Airport$5.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From The Mall Firenze Shuttle Transfer: $15
- Shared Bus Transfer to/from Pisa Airport: $16
- Private Departure Transfer: Florence Train Station: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer: Florence Train Station: $35
- Florence Airport (FLR) to Florence hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Florence Airport Private Departure Transfer: $48
- From La Spezia: Round-Trip Bus Transfer to Florence: $53
- Private Florence Airport to Hotel Transfer: $59
- Private Transfer: Florence City Center to Peretola Airport (FLR): $63
- From Round Trip Transfer to Cinque Terre: $64
- Private Oneway Transfer Florence Airport to Florence Hotels: $66
- Florence to Pisa Airport (PSA) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Florence?
Prices for flights to both Florence 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 $17Florence $38
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: $41
- A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
- JOBURG DINNERS : MABONENG CITY DINNER: $97
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $99
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $216
Typical Food Prices in Florence
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
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Panini Sandwich$6.96
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Florence Street Food Tour: Market & City Center: $29
- Florence Street Food Tour, Market and City Center: $31
- Walking Food Tour at Sunset with Tastings: $33
- Virtual Live Cooking Class What Do You Have in Your Pantry: $35
- Virtual Cooking Class: Bruschetta & Tiramisù: $35
- Virtual Italian Meatballs Cooking Class, Live from Tuscany: $37
- Street Food Tour with Local Expert Guide: $41
- Street Food Tour and Sightseeing with Local Expert Guide in 2.5 hours : $41
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $59
- Cooking Art Brunelleschi : $59
- 3- Cooking Making Spaghetti & Lasagna: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $21Florence $32
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: $227
- Half-Day Safari Tour of the Magaliesberg Mountains by Zipline: $122
- Private Full Day Johannesburg Historical Tour : $194
- Rhino and Lion Park Safari Tour : $96
- Soweto half day tour including Mandela House.Private transport: $72
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $30
- 10 Days Overland Tour-Johannesburg and Cape Town: $2,701
- 15 Days Johannesburg, Kruger National Park – Cape Town Tour: $4,052
- 3 Day Kruger National Park Tour from Johannesburg: $807
- 3 Days 2 Nights Panorama Tour & Kruger National park Safari: $832
- 4-Day Private Tour Johannesburg and Pretoria - See everything in 4 days : $214
- 4-Days Overnight Experience in The Panorama Route & Safari: $1,735
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florence
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Admission to Uffizi$12
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Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi$4.29
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Firenze Card (for Two)$107
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Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)$21
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Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee$6.43
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Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee$7.50
Tours and Activities in Florence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
- Relive the Renaissance on a Guided Walking Tour: $2.69
- Dark Mysteries and Legends Guided Walking Tour: $2.69
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- The Best tour in Renaissance & Medici Tales - guided by a STORYTELLER: $3.26
- Florence Walking Tour: $3.26
- Private Tour to the Laboratory of Artistic Ceramics in Tuscany: $3.28
- Sunset Walking Tour: $3.28
- Smartphone self guided Tour: $4.29
- Florence Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.50
- Uffizi Gallery Highlights Audio Guide (Ticket NOT included): $5.99
- Galleria dell' Accademia Audio Guide (Ticket NOT included): $5.99
- Florence and Pisa self guided tour: $6.45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $4.73Florence $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: $8.23
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $115
- Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $226
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florence
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
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Glass of Chianti$4.50
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Bottle of Wine$8.04
Sample the Local Flavors in Florence
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting by CarusVini in San Casciano in val di Pesa: $16
- Wine Tasting Activity at Chianti Rufina: $23
- Great wine tasting at Tenuta Moriano: $25
- Sip, Savor, Save! Youth Wine Tasting Tour with Appitisers: $28
- Wine Tasting Experience with Three Types of Tuscan Wine: $29
- Discover Artimino wine tasting, a few steps from Florence: $33
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in the heart of Tuscany: $33
- Classic Wine Tasting in Montalcino: $33
- Wine Tasting and Pairing Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43
- Wine Tasting and Paring Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43
- Wine Tasting and Pairing Class Guided Tour in Florence: $43
- Wine Tasting Experience in Florence city centre: $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Florence, we can see that Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Florence 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 Florence Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Florence?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Florence. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Florence, 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.