Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $63Johannesburg $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $97. 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 $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Johannesburg $112
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 $17
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$9.44
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
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
- Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
- Safe Airport Transfer in Nairobi: $21
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to City Hotels or Wilson Airport: $24
- Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- Airport Transfer in Nairobi- JKIA: $30
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Nairobi Airport Private Transfers: $35
- One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfers - JKIA 45 minutes waiting time: $35
- Nairobi airport transfer: $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$3.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:
- Wheel Chair Accessible Airport Transfers Around Johannesburg: $49
- Transfers Between OR Tambo and Pilanesburg : $198
- Suncity Transfer: $195
- South Africa Airport Transfer, Johannesburg Guided day Tour: $134
- Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Van: $76
- Private Transfer: Tambo Airport JNB to Johannesburg in Luxury Car: $104
- Private Transfer: Johannesburg to Tambo Airport JNB in Sedan Car: $65
- Private Transfer, Airports to Cradle of Humankind & Muldersdrift : $148
- Private Transfer from Johannesburg O.R.Tambo Airport(JNB) to Johannesburg hotels: $116
- Private Roundtrip Transfer from Johannesburg Intl Airport: $98
- Private Land Rover transfer to Sun City from Johannesburg and PTA: $198
- Private Airport Transfers in Johannesburg : $55
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 $7.63Johannesburg $17
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$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $80
- Barbecue Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $85
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $91
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $92
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $98
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
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
- Unique street food tour from at least 6 different cultures!: $70
- Zulu Food Cooking & Dining Experience with a local Chef: $75
- Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $79
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $101
- Lesedi Cultural Village with lunch or dinner cultural food: $101
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $47Johannesburg $21
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$16
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Ebike adventure Hire Nairobi (Electric mountain bike hire): $15
- Private Guided Nairobi City and Cultural Walking Tour: $25
- Nairobi City Tour: $25
- Nairobi city walking tour : $25
- Mathare Community Slum Tour: $26
- Private Historical Walking Tour in Innercity Nairobi: $27
- Nairobi City and Cultural ShoppingTour: $29
- Nairobi Historical Walking City Tour: $32
- Souvenir Crafts, Fabric Shopping & Hair Braiding & City Tour : $35
- Nairobi Arusha shuttle bus ticket book bus online Tickets: $35
- Coffee farm tour, coffee roasting and tasting experience: $35
- The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
Tours and Activities in Johannesburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:
- Half-Day Safari Tour of the Magaliesberg Mountains by Zipline: $123
- Private Full Day Johannesburg Historical Tour : $195
- Rhino and Lion Park Safari Tour : $98
- (Meet the Artist)Art Gallery & Street Art tour with lunch: $53
- 10 Days Overland Tour-Johannesburg and Cape Town: $2,736
- 15 Days Johannesburg, Kruger National Park – Cape Town Tour: $4,104
- 3 Day Kruger National Park Private Tour from Johannesburg: $870
- 3 Days 2 Nights Panorama Tour & Kruger National park Safari: $843
- 4-Days Overnight Experience in The Panorama Route & Safari: $1,757
- 6 Days Johannesburg and Kruger National Park Tour: $1,641
- 6 Days of The Best of Johannesburg Experience: $886
- A Day Of Soweto Food & Beer Tour: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Johannesburg $4.82
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: $8.38
- Wine Tasting: $11
- Experience Johannesburg Wine Tour Views and Luxury: $228
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.