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

Should you visit Minsk or Johannesburg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minsk or Johannesburg, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Minsk or Johannesburg?

Minsk

Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.

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 Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Minsk?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Minsk is $64, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $95. 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 Minsk and Johannesburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Minsk $32
    Johannesburg $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Minsk $64
    Johannesburg $110
Compare Hotels in Minsk and Johannesburg

Looking for a hotel in Minsk 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.

Hotels in Minsk


Hotels in Johannesburg


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Minsk $12
    Johannesburg $16

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg

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


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $35
  • Johannesburg Airport JNB to Johannesburg Hotels Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
  • Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport (JNB) Departure Transfer: $35
  • Transfers Between Lanseria Airport And Johannesburg : $42
  • OR Tambo Private Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Airport Transfers : $43
  • Private Airport Transfer & Grounds to Sandton, Johannesburg & Pretoria 599: $44
  • Johannesburg Airport Private Transfers: Departures (Hotel Pickup): $45
  • OR Tambo Airport Transfers Around Johannesburg: $46
  • Private Airport Transfer from OR Tambo Airport to Lesedi Village: $47
  • Airport Transfers Johannesburg : $47
  • Luxury Car Johannesburg Airport Private Transfer: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Minsk or Johannesburg?

Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Minsk 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
    Minsk $21
    Johannesburg $17

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: $41
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • JOBURG DINNERS : MABONENG CITY DINNER: $97
  • Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $99
  • Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $216

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Minsk $20
    Johannesburg $21

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
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus with Optional Soweto Tour: $16
  • Jo'burg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Apartheid Museum & Soweto: $16
  • Architectural Walking Tour: $19
  • Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial, to Orlando Towers Tour: $24
  • Braamfontein Street Art Tour: $27
  • Maboneng Street Art & Culture Tour: $27
  • Soweto: Bike Tour with a Local Tour Guide: $30
  • Colours of A Graffiti & Street Art Tour: $30
  • (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $30
  • Half-Day Walking Tour in Soweto: $32
  • A Day Of Soweto Food & Beer Tour: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Minsk $14
    Johannesburg $4.73

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: $8.23
  • Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $115
  • Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $226


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

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


Which is Bigger, Minsk or Johannesburg?

Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Minsk. When comparing the sizes of Minsk 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.