Which place is cheaper, Oslo or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Johannesburg or Oslo?
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 Oslo 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 Oslo?
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.
Oslo
Oslo is not only the largest city in Norway, and also its capital. It also holds the title as the most expensive city in the world. Oslo is a unique capital city in that its boundaries include much forest and wildlife. The city itself is nestled in an amphitheater type setting. The city's core is in the bottom by the fjord, and the residential areas stretch uphill away from the downtown area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $95Oslo $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $95, while the average daily cost in Oslo is $137. 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 Oslo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $55Oslo $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $110Oslo $162
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Oslo
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Oslo? 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 Oslo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $16Oslo $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:
- 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $35
- Johannesburg Airport JNB to Johannesburg Hotels Arrival Transfer: $35
- Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport (JNB) Departure Transfer: $35
- Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $42
- OR Tambo Private Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Airport Transfers : $43
- Private Airport Transfer & Grounds to Sandton, Johannesburg & Pretoria 599: $44
- Johannesburg Airport Private Transfers: Departures (Hotel Pickup): $45
- OR Tambo Airport Transfers Around Johannesburg: $46
- Private Airport Transfer from OR Tambo Airport to Lesedi Village: $47
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $47
- Luxury Car Johannesburg Airport Private Transfer: $52
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oslo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Oslo are as follows:
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Tram Ticket$6.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oslo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oslo:
- Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim - Arrival Transfer : $41
- Oslo hotels to Oslo Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim- Round-Trip Transfer: $81
- Private Transfer from Olso Airport to Olso Hotels: $82
- Private One-way Airport Transfer (Oslo Airport To/From Oslo): $89
- Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo Airport (OSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer from Oslo Airport to Oslo Cruise Port: $90
- Oslo City Center to Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
- Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo hotels- Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- Olso: Private Transfer from the City Center to Oslo Airport: $108
- Departure Private Transfer from Oslo to Oslo Airport OSL by Business Car: $114
- Arrival Private Transfer Oslo OSL Airport to Oslo by Business Car: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Oslo?
Prices for flights to both Oslo 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 $17Oslo $30
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oslo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Oslo.
- Oslofjord Cruise with Seafood Dinner: $59
- Oslo Alternative Culture and Street Food Tour: $73
- Christmas Street Food Tour with Akevitt and Christmas beer : $111
- 3-course Dinner Cruise in the Oslofjord: $119
- Oslo Fjord 3 Course Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $21Oslo $19
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
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $16
- Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $16
- Architectural Walking Tour: $19
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $24
- Braamfontein Street Art Tour: $27
- Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $27
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $30
- Colours of A Graffiti & Street Art Tour: $30
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $30
- Half-Day Walking Tour in Soweto: $32
- A Day Of Soweto Food & Beer Tour: $32
Tours and Activities in Oslo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Oslo are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Explore Oslo with Passionate Tour Guides: $3.23
- Guided Walking Tour in Central Oslo: $4.45
- Digging up the Past in Røros: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Tour a Pie en Oslo en Español: $7.41
- Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- An Oslo Waterfront Stroll: Self-paced Audio Tour: $7.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Akershus to Kongen Marina Waterfront: $7.99
- Oslo Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $8.07
- Discover Oslo's Heart: Audio Tour Through Time and Beauty: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- The Fram Museum Admission Ticket: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $4.73Oslo $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: $8.23
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $115
- Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Oslo, we can see that Oslo 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 Oslo 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 Oslo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oslo 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 Oslo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Oslo?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Oslo, 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.