Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Johannesburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Johannesburg or Rabat?
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 Rabat 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 Rabat?
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.
Rabat
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best 2-Week Tours in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $99Rabat $45
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $99, while the average daily cost in Rabat is $45. 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 Rabat in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $57Rabat $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $114Rabat $56
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Rabat
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Rabat? 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 Rabat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $17Rabat $2.17
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$3.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- OR Tambo Airport Transfer to Ivory Tree Game Lodge: $449
- OR Tambo Airport Transfer To Mabula Game Lodge: $431
- Airport To Suncity Transfer And Return: $422
- Group safari and Game reserve transfers: $366
- OR Tambo Airport Transfer To Sun City Resort: $306
- OR Tambo Airport transfer to Ukutula Lion Park: $295
- Private Arrival Transfer: Johannesburg Airport to Mpumalanga: $292
- Johannesburg Airport (JNB): Transfer to Pretoria hotels: $287
- Private Transfer to Pilanesberg: $253
- Private Land Rover transfer to Sun City from Johannesburg and PTA: $205
- Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $205
- Suncity Transfer: $202
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rabat
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
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Taxi to Sale$3.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rabat
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Rabat Airport to Rabat City: $15
- Private Transfer from Rabat to Rabat Salé Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat Medina : $25
- 1-Way Private Transfer to or from Rabat Airport: $32
- Private Transfer from Rabat Sale Airport to Rabat City: $43
- Private Departure Transfer from Rabat to Casablanca Airport: $51
- Transfer Rabat to Kenitra: $53
- Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport Private Transfer: $56
- Private Transfer From Rabat Airport to Casablanca : $58
- Rabat Hotels to Casablanca Airport : Private Transfer: $61
- Private Transfer from Rabat to Casablanca Airport: $62
- Private Transfer from Rabat (RBA) Airport to Temara: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Rabat?
Prices for flights to both Rabat 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 $18Rabat $13
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
- Unique street food tour from at least 6 different cultures!: $70
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $77
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $82
- A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $104
- Lesedi Cultural Village Day Tour including Buffet Dinner: $127
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $130
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rabat
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Join Best Moroccan Cooking Class with Chef Khadija ( Over 35 years Experience ): $51
- Walking Food Tour: $76
- Cooking Class in a Family Home: $77
- Rabat Food Tour in the Old Town: $78
- Rabat Family Cooking Class: $81
- Night Tour River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner: $99
- Rabat Night Tour with River Sunset Boat Ride & Moroccan Dinner : $101
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class in Rabat with a Local Family: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $22Rabat $2.93
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Half-Day Safari Tour of the Magaliesberg Mountains by Zipline: $126
- Private Full Day Johannesburg apartheid museum and Soweto Tour : $201
- Soweto half day guided tour.Pick up and drop off: $52
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $54
- 10 Days Overland Tour-Johannesburg and Cape Town: $2,816
- 15 Days Johannesburg, Kruger National Park – Cape Town Tour: $4,224
- 2-Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Johannesburg: $1,042
- 3 Day Kruger National Park Private Tour from Johannesburg: $842
- 3 Days 2 Nights Panorama Tour & Kruger National park Safari: $867
- 4-Days Overnight Experience in The Panorama Route & Safari: $1,809
- 6 Days Johannesburg and Kruger National Park Tour: $1,690
- 6 Days of The Best of Johannesburg Experience: $1,014
Tours and Activities in Rabat
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
- SUP Adventure Rabat (kayaking, stand up paddle , boating) VIP: $15
- Private Traditional Hammam Experience in Rabat Medina: $28
- Private Half-Day Exploration Tour of Rabat in a Green Taxi: $28
- Savory Home-Cooked Meal and Experience Moroccan Hospitality: $32
- Rabat old Medina ,Hassan Tower and Kasbah Oudaya Walking tour : $40
- Private Cultural Walking Tour of Rabat with Licensed Tour Guide: $44
- Private Boat Tour of the Bouregreg River, a Traditional Boat: $45
- Rabat tour ;Small Group Guided Walking tour in the City of Light: $45
- private Tour between the monuments of Rabat City : $45
- Private Catamaran Adventure in Rabat: $49
- Rabat Guided Biking Tour: $60
- Private Boat Guided Tour in Rabat: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $4.91Rabat -
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: $8.66
- Wine Tasting: $11
- Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $13
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $130
- Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $233
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Rabat, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Rabat?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Rabat. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Rabat, 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.