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. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $107, while the average daily cost in Hermanus is $96. 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 $54
    Hermanus $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johannesburg $108
    Hermanus $50
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 $8.10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • O.R. Tambo International Airport to city transfer(JNB): $22
  • 24 hour Airport Shuttle and Transfer: $27
  • 24 Hour Private Transfer Sandton to OR Tambo: $27
  • Tour operator. airport and hotels transfers chauffeur and safari tours services.: $31
  • O R Tambo Airport Transfers: Sandton, Rosebank and Melrose: $31
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $35
  • OR Tambo Airport Private Transfer To Sandton: $35
  • Johannesburg : Airport transfers: $38
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg APT-HTL (JNB): $38
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $41
  • Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
  • Johannesburg Airport (JNB): Transfer to Johannesburg Hotels: $42

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 $29
    Hermanus $67

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: $50
  • Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $79
  • Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $80
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $100
  • Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johannesburg $21
    Hermanus -

Tours and Activities in Johannesburg

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

  • Joburg Zoo Entry Ticket: $6.86
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $18
  • Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $18
  • Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $25
  • Guided Walking Tour in Johannesburg: $25
  • Architectural Walking Tour: $25
  • Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour: $26
  • Soweto Township Tour: $30
  • Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $30
  • Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour : $31
  • Johannesburg Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $35
  • Johannesburg Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35

Tours and Activities in Hermanus

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

  • Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2025: $56
  • Sunset Fatbike Dune Experience : $69
  • Morning Fatbike Dune Tour: $69
  • Hermanus Land based Whale Tour with Dave de Beer: $78
  • Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $83
  • Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $119
  • Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $138
  • Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $259

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johannesburg $4.69
    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: $8.36
  • Wine Tasting: $11
  • Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $12

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 : $25
  • Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $131
  • Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $152


When comparing the travel costs between Johannesburg and Hermanus, 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 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.