A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Johannesburg vs. Zagora for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Johannesburg or Zagora?

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 Zagora 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 Zagora?

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.

Zagora

A small town in southern Morocco, Zagora is a popular base camp for excursions on foot, by camel, or four wheel drive vehicles into the surrounding desert. One of the most famous and historic treks is the ancient caravan route to Timbuktu, marked by a famous sign at the end of town - indicating a journey of "52 days" by camel.

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 Morocco, and The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Zagora or Johannesburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Johannesburg is $94, while the average daily cost in Zagora is $50. 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 Zagora in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Johannesburg $54
    Zagora $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johannesburg $108
    Zagora $72
Compare Hotels in Johannesburg and Zagora

Looking for a hotel in Johannesburg or Zagora? 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 Zagora


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 Zagora Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johannesburg $16
    Zagora $1.42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $34
  • Johannesburg Airport JNB to Johannesburg Hotels Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport (JNB) Departure Transfer: $35
  • Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
  • Comfort Private Airport Transfer: OR Tambo Airport (JNB): $38
  • OR Tambo Private Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Airport Transfers : $42
  • Apartheid Museum Private Transfers: $43
  • Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $43
  • Johannesburg Airport Private Transfers: Departures (Hotel Pickup): $44
  • Private Airport Transfer from OR Tambo Airport to Lesedi Village: $45
  • OR Tambo Airport Transfers Around Johannesburg: $46
  • Luxury Car Johannesburg Airport Private Transfer: $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagora

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagora:

  • Airport Private Transfer: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Johannesburg or Zagora?

Prices for flights to both Zagora 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 $17
    Zagora $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: $40
  • Taste of Africa Food Tour: $51
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $96
  • Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $213

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johannesburg $21
    Zagora $2.85

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
  • Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $16
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $16
  • Architectural Walking Tour: $19
  • Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $24
  • Braamfontein Street Art Tour: $24
  • Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $27
  • Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $29
  • Colours of A Graffiti & Street Art Tour: $29
  • Johannesburg Street Art & Museum Walking or E-scooter Tour : $29
  • (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $29
  • A Day Of Soweto Food & Beer Tour: $32

Tours and Activities in Zagora

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

  • 2 Days Tour to Zagora Desert with sunset from Marrakech: $82
  • Marrakech: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour Zagora & BenHaddou: $111
  • 2 days tour from Zagora to Erg Chegaga: $136
  • Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $164
  • Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $164
  • Private Day Camel Trekking Tour in Draa Valley from Zagora: $214
  • From 2-Day Desert Tour to Erg Chegaga: $288
  • From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $353
  • From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $356
  • From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $376
  • From Agadir 4 Days 3 night Désert Tours to Marrakech: $1,326

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johannesburg $4.65
    Zagora -

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: $8.02
  • Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $112
  • Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $225


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johannesburg and Zagora, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Zagora much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zagora would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagora 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 Zagora.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johannesburg Expensive? and Is Zagora Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Johannesburg or Zagora?

Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Zagora. When comparing the sizes of Johannesburg and Zagora, 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.