Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nairobi or Johannesburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Johannesburg 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: Nairobi or Johannesburg?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Adventure Tours to South Africa, and The Best Eco Tours in South Africa.
-
Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesJohannesburg Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Johannesburg $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $104. 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 Nairobi and Johannesburg in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Johannesburg $53
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Johannesburg $106
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Johannesburg
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Johannesburg $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
-
Taxi from Airport$9.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- NBO:Jomo Kenyatta Airport Arrivals Private Transfer: $16
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
- Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
- Nairobi Airport Transfer, Hotel Pick up and Drop Off: $20
- Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Nairobi: $30
- From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
- Airport Transfers within Nairobi: $30
- Nairobi Private Airport Transfer: $35
- From JKIA Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax max): $35
- JKIA Airport and Hotel Private Vehicle Transfer: $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Johannesburg
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:
-
Taxi Ride$3.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg HTL-APT (JNB): $38
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg APT-HTL (JNB): $38
- Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $191
- Tour operator. airport and hotels transfers chauffeur and safari tours services.: $30
- Suncity Transfer: $188
- South Africa Airport Transfer, Johannesburg Guided day Tour: $128
- Private executive transfer to sun city or airport/hotels : $117
- Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Sedan Car: $65
- Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $76
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Sedan Car: $65
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Van: $76
- Private Transfer in Johannesburg OR Tambo and Lanseria: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Johannesburg?
Prices for flights to both Johannesburg and Nairobi 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 dayNairobi $13Johannesburg $28
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner for Two$5.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Nairobi, Kenya : Universal Cooking Classes: $34
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $35
- Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi.: $48
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $50
- Kibera Slum Bomas of Kenya and Dinner at Carnivore Nairobi: $55
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
- Carnivore Dinner Experience: $80
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $85
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: $50
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $76
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $77
- A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $97
- Lesedi Cultural Experience + Lunch or Dinner: $114
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $120
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Johannesburg $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Village Visit$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
- Nairobi City Walking and Historic Tours: $18
- Downtown Walking Tour with Local Guide: $18
- Nairobi City Walk Tour : $20
- Nairobi Downtown walks and Experiences: $20
- Kibera Slum storytelling tour with a Local: $23
- Nairobi Walking City Tour: $25
- vibrant kibera slum tour: $25
- Ancient Nairobi and Modern City Tour: $25
- Giving Back and Donation Kibera Tour: $25
- Experience Nairobi Night Life Partying in the City and Beyond: $25
- Private Guided Nairobi City and Cultural Walking Tour: $25
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: $222
- Half-Day Safari Tour of the Magaliesberg Mountains by Zipline: $119
- Private Full Day Johannesburg apartheid museum and Soweto Tour : $108
- Rhino and Lion Park Safari Tour : $134
- Soweto Private half day tour: $73
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $36
- 1 Day Full Johannesburg Top Attractions Tour: $278
- 1 Day Pilanesberg Safari with Tour Guide: $271
- 2 Days Kruger Fly-in Big 5 Safari Tour from Johannesburg: $971
- 2-Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Johannesburg: $912
- 2-Day Kruger Overland Big 5 Safari Tour: $821
- 3 Day Kruger Safari Tour from Johannesburg: $911
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Johannesburg $4.59
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Nairobi bar crawl:Drink and Mingle: $17
- Nairobi Ultimate Bar Crawl: $60
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: $8.13
- Wine Tasting: $10
- Hop on Hop Off Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $12
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $133
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Johannesburg, we can see that Johannesburg is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Nairobi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Johannesburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Johannesburg?
Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Johannesburg. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.