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

Should you visit Johannesburg or Hermanus?

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 Hermanus 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 Hermanus?

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.

Hermanus

Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Hermanus 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 Hermanus is $66. 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 Hermanus in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Hermanus? 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 Hermanus


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 Hermanus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johannesburg $16
    Hermanus $7.94
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:

  • Sibunono Shuttles and Transfers : $25
  • Tour operator. airport and hotels transfers chauffeur and safari tours services.: $30
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $34
  • Johannesburg Airport JNB to Johannesburg Hotels Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport (JNB) Departure Transfer: $35
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer(Johannesburg Airport To/From Johannesburg): $36
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg APT-HTL (JNB): $38
  • Private Airport Transfer & Grounds to Sandton, Johannesburg & Pretoria 599: $43
  • Johannesburg Airport Private Transfers: Departures (Hotel Pickup): $44
  • Private Airport Transfer from OR Tambo Airport to Lesedi Village: $46
  • OR Tambo Airport Transfers Around Johannesburg: $47
  • Luxury Car Johannesburg Airport Private Transfer: $51

Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Hermanus?

Prices for flights to both Hermanus 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
    Hermanus $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: $39
  • Taste of Africa Food Tour: $45
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $97
  • Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $210

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johannesburg $20
    Hermanus -

Tours and Activities in Johannesburg

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:

  • Johannesburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $16
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $16
  • Architectural Walking Tour: $18
  • Hidden Gems & Culture in Braamfontein Tour: $22
  • Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $22
  • Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $24
  • Ponte Experience: $27
  • Colours of A Graffiti & Street Art Tour: $29
  • Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $29
  • Johannesburg's Art Gallery Hoping & Street Art Experience (Meet the Artist): $30
  • Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour : $30

Tours and Activities in Hermanus

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:

  • Hermanus Whale Watching Day Tour: $24
  • Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2024: $54
  • Hermanus Land based Whale Walking Tour with Dave de Beer: $69
  • Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $72
  • Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $135
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $272

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johannesburg $4.60
    Hermanus -

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: $8.20
  • Private Johannesburg Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $112

Sample the Local Flavors in Hermanus

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

  • Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide : $21
  • Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $45
  • Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $81


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

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


Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Hermanus?

Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Hermanus. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Hermanus, 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.