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.
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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.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesJohannesburg Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $67Johannesburg $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $121. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Johannesburg $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Johannesburg $122
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Johannesburg $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Nairobi Airport Transfer, Hotel Pick up and Drop Off: $20
- Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to City Hotels or Wilson Airport: $24
- Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport or City Hotels: $28
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
- Airport Transfer in Nairobi- JKIA: $30
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- From JKIA Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax max): $35
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$3.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Van for 1-7 Passengers Johannesburg - Airport Transfer: $60
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Johannesburg HTL-APT (JNB): $51
- Suncity Transfer: $221
- Shuttle and Transfers to Johannesburg and Pretoria: $79
- Private Van Airport Transfers : Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria: $48
- Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg by Luxury Van: $80
- Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg by Luxury Car: $115
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Sedan Car: $75
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Luxury Van: $80
- Private Transfer in Johannesburg OR Tambo and Lanseria: $19
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to Pretoria hotels: $175
- Private Roundtrip Transfer from Johannesburg Intl Airport: $95
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
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Food Meals for one dayNairobi $13Johannesburg $33
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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:
- Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
- Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers: $100
- Authentic home dinner with a local Family in Nairobi: $108
- Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
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
- Zulu Food Cooking and Dining Experience with a local Chef: $113
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $113
- Lesedi Cultural Village Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $126
- 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.Nairobi $46Johannesburg $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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:
- Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
- Kibera Slum Tour with a Local: $15
- Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Nairobi City Tour and Pickup: $20
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Nairobi History and Modern Culture Walking Tour: $22
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Cultural Discovery Tour of Unfiltered Mathare: $23
- Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day Tour: $25
- Experience Nairobi Night Life Partying in the City and Beyond: $25
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- 2 Day Kruger Glamping Budget Adventure: $487
- 2-Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Johannesburg: $1,010
- 4 Day Private Tour in Zula Joburg to Kruger Panorama: $60
- 5 Days 4 Nights Safari Tour In Madikwe And Pilanersbeg: $2,402
- 6 Days Johannesburg and Kruger National Park Tour: $1,737
- Aerial cableway Hartebeespoort Halfday tour: $163
- African Food Tasting Tour: $76
- Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria: $212
- Apartheid Museum & Soweto Tour: $133
- Apartheid Museum & Soweto Tour with Hotel Pickup: $85
- Apartheid Museum Tour: $58
- Apartheid Museum Tour from Johannesburg: $98
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Johannesburg $5.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
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: $9.48
- Wine Tasting: $12
- Wine Tasting and Cableway Half Day Tour: $163
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.