Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?
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 Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?
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.
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.
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Johannesburg Prices
South Africa PricesSao Paulo Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJohannesburg $115Sao Paulo $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $115, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $60. 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 Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJohannesburg $58Sao Paulo $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJohannesburg $116Sao Paulo $56
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Sao Paulo? 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 Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Johannesburg $17Sao Paulo $5.76
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$3.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- OR Tambo to Sun City Transfer : $225
- Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $209
- Suncity Transfer: $206
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria hotels: $179
- JHB: Lesedi Cultural Village Tour TRANSFER&ENTRANCE INCLUDED: $159
- Private Transfer, Airports to Cradle of Humankind & Muldersdrift : $156
- Airport Transfers from Cradle of Humankind Muldesdrift to Jo'burg: $156
- Kwa Maritane Transfer and Game Drive Package: $156
- Go Karting & Transfer to Lanseria Included: $145
- Johannesburg Quad Biking & Return Transfer: Haartebeespoort: $145
- Abseiling & Return Transfer Included Lanseria: $145
- Pilanesberg Shared Transfer and 3 Hour Safari: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Rio de Janeiro Airport (GIG) (SDU): $16
- Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) Private Transfer to Sao Paulo City/Hotels: $27
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $39
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Congonhas Airport: $39
- Receptive and Transfer Airports, Cities and Coast: $42
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $47
- Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $65
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Sao Paulo APT-HTL(GRU): $67
- Transfer (Taxi) airport to Sao Paulo: $77
- Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo Private Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer from Guarulhos to Santos: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo 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 $31Sao Paulo $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Unique street food tour from at least 6 different cultures!: $60
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $85
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $96
- Johannesburg Culture and Food Tour: $98
- Zulu Food Cooking and Dining Experience with a local Chef: $105
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner : $106
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $107
- Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $110
- Pan African Cooking Class & Dinning Experience : $130
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $133
- Soweto Township Tour With African food tour: $145
- Rooftop Bar, Dinner and Clubbing (Amapiano): $217
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Make 9 Brazilian Faves in a 4-Hour Cooking Workshop in Sao Paulo: $85
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Johannesburg $23Sao Paulo $3.89
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Golf Tour, Sun City , Gary Player Course - Rated the Best: $242
- Half-Day Safari Tour of the Magaliesberg Mountains by Zipline: $130
- Private Full Day Johannesburg apartheid museum and Soweto Tour : $118
- Private soweto half day tour: $80
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $56
- 1 Day Pilanesberg Safari with Tour Guide: $271
- 2 Day Kruger Glamping Budget Adventure: $487
- 2-Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Johannesburg: $1,010
- 5 Days 4 Nights Safari Tour In Madikwe And Pilanersbeg: $2,402
- 6 Days Johannesburg and Kruger National Park Tour: $1,737
- Aerial cableway Hartebeespoort Halfday tour: $153
- African Food Tasting Tour: $65
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Sao Paulo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Downtown-Center History Walking Tour - in English: $31
- São Paulo: 2 Hour Immersion Waling Tour in Paulista Avenue: $34
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $48
- Boat Trip Billings Dam and Experience Bororé Island: $50
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour - In English: $55
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour - In English: $65
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $66
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $68
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
- Shared tour of the tourist attractions of São Paulo: $77
- São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJohannesburg $5.05Sao Paulo $3.38
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: $8.85
- Wine Tasting: $12
- Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $192
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Sao Paulo, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Johannesburg is in Africa and Sao Paulo is in South America, 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Sao Paulo, 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.