Which place is cheaper, Genoa or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Johannesburg or Genoa?
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 Genoa 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 Genoa?
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.
Genoa
Located on the coast of northwest Italy, Genoa is a port city and capital of the Liguria region. With a long history as a rich and powerful trade center, Genoa's past of many centuries is still visible in its old port, stunning architecture, and charming alleyways. A traveler can spend days walking along seaside villas, admiring towering churches, and shopping the boutiques of the city. Genoa is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, featuring what is thought to be his birth home and many other quaint abodes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $95Genoa $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $95, while the average daily cost in Genoa is $160. 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 Genoa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $55Genoa $95
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $110Genoa $190
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Genoa
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Genoa? 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 Genoa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $16Genoa $9.31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
-
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
- Private Arrival Transfer: Johannesburg Airport to Mpumalanga: $281
- Johannesburg Airport (JNB): Transfer to Pretoria hotels: $279
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg To Pilanesberg: $221
- Private Land Rover transfer to Sun City from Johannesburg and PTA: $196
- Johannesburg Airport (JNB): Transfer to Johannesburg hotels: $195
- Suncity Transfer: $193
- Executive Airport Transfers - OR Tambo to Sandton : $179
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria hotels: $164
- Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $159
- Private Transfer, Airports to Cradle of Humankind & Muldersdrift : $146
- Private executive transfer to sun city or airport/hotels : $119
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Genoa
Also for Genoa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Genoa to Genoa Airport (GOA) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Genoa Airport (GOA) to Genoa - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Santa Margherita Port to Genoa Airport GOA: $44
- Private Transfer from Genoa Airport GOA to Santa Margherita Port: $44
- Private Transfer from Santa Margherita Cruise Port to Genoa city: $44
- Private Transfer from Genoa city to Santa Margherita Cruise Port: $44
- Private Transfer Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa, Savona or Portofino by Business Car: $44
- Genoa Airport (GOA) to Genoa - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Savona Cruise Port to Genoa Airport Private Departure Transfer: $59
- Savona Cruise Port to Genoa hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Genoa airport (GOA) to Savona Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- From Genova: Portofino Return Transfer by Open-Top Bus: $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Genoa?
Prices for flights to both Genoa 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 $17Genoa $55
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
- JOBURG DINNERS : MABONENG CITY DINNER: $97
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $99
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $216
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Genoa
For Genoa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Genoese cooking lesson in the garden with lunch: $68
- Genoa Old town Food Tour: $74
- Itinerant dinner in the old town: $75
- Street Food Tour: $85
- Do Eat Better Experience - Food Tours in Genoa: $86
- Traditional Food Tour: $91
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Camogli: $93
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Savona: $93
- Dining experience with cooking demo and wines in Rapallo: $93
- Traditional Home Cooking Class in Genoa: $93
- Tour of Genoa historic center and wine tasting with dinner: $93
- Small-group Street food tour in Savona: $97
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $21Genoa $21
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Private Full Day Johannesburg Historical Tour : $193
- 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-Days Overnight Experience in The Panorama Route & Safari: $1,735
- 6 Days Johannesburg and Kruger National Park Tour: $1,621
- 6 Days of The Best of Johannesburg Experience: $972
- 9 day Kruger Park Safari & Cape Town Luxury Coach Tour: $1,972
- A Day Of Soweto Food & Beer Tour: $32
Tours and Activities in Genoa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Genoa.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Genoa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $7.00
- City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $7.00
- City Highlights Self-guided Walking Tour: $8.50
- Lighthouse Entrance Ticket: $8.61
- Finance and Nobility: Explore medieval Genoa on a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
- Finance and Nobility Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Historic Guided Tour of Christopher Columbus' House: $11
- The City of Children and Young Museum Entry Ticket: $13
- Guided Tour of Rolli Palaces UNESCO Site, Genoa: $15
- Historic Shops in Tour Through Tradition and Flavours: $15
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $4.73Genoa $11
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: $8.28
Sample the Local Flavors in Genoa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Genoa:
- Guided Eco Hiking and Sea View Wine Tasting in Portofino Park: $75
- 3 Hour Pesto Making and Wine Tasting Activity in Campetto Genoa: $105
- CAMOGLI: PRIVATE Ligurian Wine Tasting Experience and walking on National Park: $126
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Genoa, we can see that Genoa 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 Genoa 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 Genoa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Genoa 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 Genoa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Genoa?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Genoa. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Genoa, 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.