Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Johannesburg or Ouarzazate?
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 Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate?
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.
Ouarzazate
Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.
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Johannesburg Prices
South Africa PricesOuarzazate Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $104Ouarzazate $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $104, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is $57. 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 Ouarzazate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $53Ouarzazate $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $106Ouarzazate $44
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Ouarzazate
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Ouarzazate? 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 Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $16Ouarzazate $3.57
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$3.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Pilanesberg Transfer from Johannesburg and Pretoria : $217
- Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $54
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure JNB - Airport Transfers: $65
- 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $34
- Airport & Private Shuttle and Transfer Services in Johannesburg: $54
- Airport Shuttle and Private Transfers: $23
- Airport Transfers JHB: $40
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $65
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg-Pretoria-Sandton: $108
- Airport Transfers OR Tambo to Sandton Hotels: $52
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Business Car: $67
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $76
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:
- Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
- Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $45
- "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
- Private Transfert Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate: $184
- Private Transfer between Ouarzazate & Marrakech: $335
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Ouarzazate?
Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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 $28Ouarzazate $29
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: $76
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $77
- A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $97
- Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $114
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $120
Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:
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Dinner for Two$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ouarzazate.
- Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $20Ouarzazate $11
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Johannesburg Zoo Entry Ticket: $6.58
- 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: $17
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $24
- Architectural Walking Tour: $25
- Ponte Experience: $27
- Guided Walking Tour in Johannesburg: $28
- Soweto Township Tour: $28
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $29
- Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour : $30
- Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour: $31
Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate
Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $23
- Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $23
- 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
- Guided tour of the Palmerie de Skoura by electric mountain bike : $49
- Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $52
- Marrakech Palm Grove 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure.: $52
- 3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $85
- 3 Days - 2 Nights Desert Tour From Marrakech with Camel Ride: $86
- From Marrakech : Merzouga 3 day desert tour with camel ride: $89
- From Marrakech: 3-Day Desert Tour to Zagora with Ouarzazate: $114
- Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $116
- 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $116
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $4.59Ouarzazate -
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: $8.13
- Wine Tasting: $10
- Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $12
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $133
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Ouarzazate, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Ouarzazate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ouarzazate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Ouarzazate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Ouarzazate?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Ouarzazate, 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.