Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Luxor?
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 Luxor or Johannesburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Luxor or Johannesburg? 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: Luxor or Johannesburg?
Luxor
Egypt is surely on the top of every history lover's bucket list. Nowhere is the history more engrossing than in Luxor. From amazing monuments dating back to ancient Thebes to rows of temples up the Nile, this remarkable city is full the stories of past greatness.
The East Bank – or the central part of Luxor Township – is the hotbed for tourism. This is where most of the hotels and resorts are, while the West Bank is home to the ancient ruins and archaeological wonders you'll want to explore.
Before traveling to Egypt, be sure to check on the current affairs and political climate. It could have a major effect on the amount of tourists visiting, and, if conditions are too dangerous, you may want to reschedule. Also note, ladies, to avoid any issues, dress modestly. This is a very conservative region of the world. The less skin showing, the better.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Egypt, The Best Luxury Tours to Egypt, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.
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Luxor Prices
Egypt PricesJohannesburg Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLuxor $31Johannesburg $120
The average daily cost (per person) in Luxor is $31, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $120. 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 Luxor and Johannesburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLuxor $10Johannesburg $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLuxor $20Johannesburg $122
Compare Hotels in Luxor and Johannesburg
Looking for a hotel in Luxor or Johannesburg? 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: Luxor Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Luxor $5.25Johannesburg $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Luxor
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Luxor:
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Taxi Ride$0.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Luxor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Luxor:
- Private VIP Luxor Airport Transfer with Meet and Greet: $4.50
- Luxor Private Transfer Hotel to Airport or vice versa: $6.00
- Private Transfer from / to luxor int'l airport: $6.00
- Private Transfer Between Luxor Airport & Any Hotel: $6.00
- Private Luxor Airport Transfer: Arrival or Departure: $7.49
- Pickup Transfers And Taxi Services From Hotel In Luxor To Luxor Airport: $7.50
- Luxor Private Transfer From East&west Banks hotels to the Airport: $8.00
- Private transfer from/to Luxor train station: $8.00
- Luxor Airport Private transfer to your Hotel / Nile Cruises: $8.00
- Departure Transfer from Luxor Hotels to Luxor airport: $8.00
- Private Arrival Transfer from Luxor Airport to Luxor Hotels: $8.00
- Luxor Transfers: $8.00
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$3.62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- 1-4 Passenger Arrival & Departure JNB - Airport Transfers: $76
- 1-4 Passenger Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $40
- Airport & Private Shuttle and Transfer Services in Johannesburg: $79
- Airport Shuttle and Private Transfers: $39
- Airport Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $77
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg: $92
- Airport Transfers Johannesburg-Pretoria-Sandton: $76
- Airport Transfers OR Tambo to Sandton Hotels: $58
- Airport transfers, door to door .private transfers: $62
- Arrival Transfer: JNB Airport to Johannesburg by Business Car: $73
- Comfort Private Airport Transfer: OR Tambo Airport (JNB): $44
- Departure Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Business Car: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Luxor or Johannesburg?
Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Luxor 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 dayLuxor $15Johannesburg $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Luxor
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Luxor.
- Luxury Nile Sunset Felucca Sail | Private Dinner - Hotel Transfer: $13
- Luxor West Bank By Night and Alabaster Museum Tour with Dinner: $30
- Luxor West Bank Tour: School, Church & Cooking Class: $35
- Eat Like a Local:Traditional Egyptian Food / Dinner at Local Family Home - Luxor: $36
- Riding a felucca at Sunset and Dinner an Egyptian House in Luxor: $40
- 3 Hours Culinary Journey with Family Food Tour in Luxor: $40
- Nile River Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Luxor (private Tour): $44
- Experience Egyptian cooking at Luxor Farm: $45
- Luxor City Private Walking and Food Tour: $50
- Felucca at Sunset and Dinner at an Egyptian House in Luxor: $60
- Day Tour to Farm Luxor with Bread Making & Cooking Class: $62
- Luxor Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show with Dinner and Transfers: $95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.
- Joburg street food tour in it's oldest suburb!: $78
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $85
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $96
- Johannesburg Culture and Food Tour: $98
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $114
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $127
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $133
- Pan African Cooking Class & Dinning Experience: $139
- Soweto Township Tour With African food tour: $145
- Rooftop Bar, Dinner and Clubbing (Amapiano): $217
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Luxor $9.66Johannesburg $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Luxor
Here are a few typical costs in Luxor for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Ride (for 2)$0.53
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Temple Karnak for Two$2.54
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Camel Ride for Two$1.17
Tours and Activities in Luxor
Here are a few actual costs in Luxor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dahabiya Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan: $5.00
- Private Day tour: Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut Temple & Memnon: $5.60
- Medinet Habu Temple QR Code Entry Ticket: $6.50
- Private Luxor West Bank Tour: Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut&Colossi: $7.92
- Luxor Half Day Tour : Karnak & Luxor Temples: $8.00
- Private Half-Day Luxor Tour:Valley of the Kings,Habu & Hatshepsut: $8.39
- Luxor Tour:Valley of the King&Hatshepsut Temple&colossi of Memnon: $8.41
- Private Tour: Medinet Habu,Valley of the Queens & Deir el-Medina: $8.49
- Private Half Day Tour:Valley of Kings & Hatshepsut Temple& Memnon: $8.50
- Private Tour: Valley of the Kings & Hatchepsut Temple &Tut's Tomb: $8.53
- Private luxor Tour: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Memnon: $8.63
- Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Private Day Tour: $9.00
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Mapatiza Mine Guided Tour with Showroom: $4.63
- Mandela House Entry Ticket: $6.08
- Mapatiza Gemstone Mine Tour Discover Gemstone Transformation: $6.34
- Discover Hidden Treasure with Scratch Patch Experience in Midrand: $16
- Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour with Soweto Option: $19
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $22
- Architectural Walking Tour: $25
- Braamfontein Street Art & Culture Tour: $28
- Johannesburg Walking Tour: Explore Top Sights & Hidden Gems: $30
- Ponte Experience: $32
- Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $32
- Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLuxor $2.89Johannesburg $5.29
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: $9.50
- Wine Tasting: $12
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $164
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Luxor and Johannesburg, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Luxor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Luxor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Luxor 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 Luxor.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Luxor Expensive? and Is Johannesburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Luxor or Johannesburg?
Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Luxor. When comparing the sizes of Luxor and Johannesburg, 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.