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

Should you visit Moshi or Johannesburg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi 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: Moshi or Johannesburg?

Moshi

Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It’s known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain's cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and makes a good introduction to the splendors of the north. It's a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences and a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the center of one of Tanzania's major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there’s much more to do, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain’s lower slopes.

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 Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Moshi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $71, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $94. 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 Moshi and Johannesburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Moshi $37
    Johannesburg $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Moshi $74
    Johannesburg $108
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Johannesburg

Looking for a hotel in Moshi 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 Moshi


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: Moshi Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Moshi $17
    Johannesburg $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi

Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer From Kilimanjaro International Airport 7 Seater: $42
  • Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi : $49
  • Airport transfer to Arusha/Moshi: $55
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer : $60
  • Transfer Services: Kilimanjaro Airport (jro) Moshi, & Arusha: $60
  • Private Transfer from Moshi to Arusha: $250

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:

  • Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $174
  • Suncity Transfer: $186
  • Private executive transfer to sun city or airport/hotels : $115
  • Private Van Airport Transfers : Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria: $71
  • Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Sedan Car: $61
  • Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $71
  • Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Car: $102
  • Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Van: $71
  • Private Transfer from Johannesburg To Pilanesberg: $214
  • Private Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria hotels: $163
  • Private Transfer from Johannesburg O.R.Tambo Airport(JNB) to Johannesburg hotels: $114
  • Private Transfer JNB Airport to Johannesburg Pretoria or SunCity by Business Car: $76

Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Johannesburg?

Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Moshi 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
    Moshi $20
    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: $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.
    Moshi $19
    Johannesburg $21

Tours and Activities in Moshi

For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Guided City tour of Moshi: $20
  • Town tour and Local Markets tour: $27
  • Private guided tour to the night lifestyle of Moshi town: $30
  • Culture tour: $40
  • Materuni: Coffee Plantation Tour: $40
  • Day Tour Around Moshi Tanzania: $50
  • 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
  • Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation Half Day Tour: $55
  • Chemka Hot Springs Tour from Moshi: $59
  • Moshi Materuni Waterfalls, Chemka Hot Springs, & Coffee Tour: $60
  • Private Materuni Waterfall & Coffee Tour. : $61
  • MATERUNI WATERFALLS AND COFFEE TOUR: $64

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: $219
  • Private Full Day Johannesburg Historical Tour : $190
  • Rhino and Lion Park Safari Tour : $95
  • Soweto half day tour including Mandela House.Private transport: $68
  • (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $29
  • 10 Days Overland Tour-Johannesburg and Cape Town: $2,665
  • 15 Days Johannesburg, Kruger National Park – Cape Town Tour: $3,998
  • 3 Day Kruger National Park Tour from Johannesburg: $847
  • 3 Days 2 Nights Panorama Tour & Kruger National park Safari: $821
  • 3 Days Big 5 Kruger National Park Tour from Johannesburg: $1,274
  • 4-Day Private Tour Johannesburg and Pretoria - See everything in 4 days : $209
  • 4-Days Overnight Experience in The Panorama Route & Safari: $1,711

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Moshi $3.45
    Johannesburg $4.65

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 Moshi and Johannesburg, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Moshi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moshi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moshi 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 Moshi.

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


Which is Bigger, Moshi or Johannesburg?

Johannesburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Moshi 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.