Which place is cheaper, Soweto or Kampala?
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 Kampala or Soweto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kampala or Soweto? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Kampala or Soweto?
Kampala
Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.
Soweto
The name Soweto is an acronym for South Western Townships, first used in 1963 to describe the groups of townships to the south west of Johannesburg. It is a city of contrasts, featuring anything from tin shanties to luxurious mansions, and is probably best known for being the home of two Nobel Prize winners.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Uganda, The Best Safaris in Uganda, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cape Town, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cape Town.
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Kampala Prices
Uganda PricesSoweto Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKampala $71Soweto $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Kampala is $71, while the average daily cost in Soweto is $86. 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 Kampala and Soweto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKampala $56Soweto $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKampala $112Soweto $70
Compare Hotels in Kampala and Soweto
Looking for a hotel in Kampala or Soweto? 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: Kampala Hotel Prices and Soweto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kampala $2.35Soweto $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:
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Taxi around town$3.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:
- Uganda Equator Line tour in Kayabwe with Lunch & transfers: $140
- The best Half day Kampala City Tour with Transfers: $110
- Private Transfer from Kampala to Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda: $78
- Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $78
- Private Entebbe Airport Transfer Pick-Up and Drop-off 24/7: $80
- Private Airport Transfers in Uganda, by Globetrotters Africa: $69
- Private Airport & In-Country Transfers in Central Uganda: $60
- Jinja 1 Day Source of River Nile Tour with Transfers: $250
- Entebbe Airport pickup (Entebbe - Kampala) reliable 24/7 transfer: $48
- Airport Transfer from Entebbe to Kampala: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Kampala or Soweto?
Prices for flights to both Soweto and Kampala 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 dayKampala $14Soweto $39
Typical Food Prices in Kampala
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:
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Lunch for 2$1.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kampala.
- Cooking class Experience in Kampala Uganda: $35
- Matoke Moments Kampala Food Tour 12+ Tastings: $49
- Private Ugandan Food Cooking Class and Culture Experience: $55
- Amazing Race - Food Tour: $103
- Fishing Village Food Tour & Luwombo Stop: $119
- Kampala cooking tour: $133
- Kampala food tour: $205
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kampala -Soweto $18
Tours and Activities in Kampala
Here are a few actual costs in Kampala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Best of Entebbe City Guided Walking Tour: $55
- 1 Day Jinja & Source of the Nile River tour (female guided): $230
- 1 Day Jinja and Source of the Nile River Tour: $200
- 1 Day Jinja source of the River Nile tour: $260
- 1 Day Kampala City Tour: $290
- 1 Day Ngamba Island chimpanzee tour: $270
- 1 Day Shoebill Stork and Birding Experience: $190
- 1 Day Tour of Jinja and Source of the Nile: $180
- 1 Day Uganda Equator Tour From Kampala To Kayabwe: $200
- 1 Day Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary Safari and Wildlife Tour, Uganda: $300
- 1 day Uganda Equator Experience: $200
- 1 day kampala tour: $205
Tours and Activities in Soweto
For Soweto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Visit Gospel service with additional Bicycle Tour of Soweto: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKampala -Soweto $9.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kampala and Soweto, we can see that Soweto is more expensive. And not only is Kampala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kampala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kampala 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 Soweto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Soweto than you might in Kampala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kampala Expensive? and Is Soweto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kampala or Soweto?
Soweto has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Kampala. When comparing the sizes of Kampala and Soweto, 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.