Which place is cheaper, Durban or Port Elizabeth?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for South Africa Port Elizabeth vs. Durban for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Port Elizabeth or Durban?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Port Elizabeth and Durban 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: Port Elizabeth or Durban?
Port Elizabeth
Located on the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, Port Elizabeth is a major sea port and tourist destination featuring a pleasant climate, opportunities for water sports, historical landmarks, wildlife areas, and clean beaches.
Durban
The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPort Elizabeth $43Durban $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Port Elizabeth is $43, while the average daily cost in Durban is $50. 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 Port Elizabeth and Durban in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPort Elizabeth $23Durban $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPort Elizabeth $46Durban $48
Compare Hotels in Port Elizabeth and Durban
Looking for a hotel in Port Elizabeth or Durban? 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: Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices and Durban Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Port Elizabeth $9.26Durban $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Port Elizabeth
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Port Elizabeth:
- Airport Transfers Port Elizabeth to St Francis Bay: $76
- Transfers - Port Elizabeth Airport; Local Hotels and BnB up to 50km: $34
- Airport Transfers Port Elizabeth to Jeffreys Bay: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Shuttle / Transfers: $30
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $35
- 1-3 Passenger Private Durban Airport Transfer: $42
- Private Durban Airport Departure Transfer: $55
- Arrival Private Transfer: Durban MSC Cruise Port to Durban City by Minivan: $75
- Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban MSC Cruise Port by Minivan: $75
- Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Business Car: $76
- Departure Private Transfer from Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Minivan: $79
- Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Minivan: $82
- Private Arrival Transfer: Durban International Airport to Umhlanga: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Port Elizabeth or Durban?
Prices for flights to both Durban and Port Elizabeth 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 dayPort Elizabeth $13Durban $15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Port Elizabeth $9.07Durban $16
Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Port Elizabeth are as follows:
- 12-Day Garden Route Tour with Accommodation: $3,500
- 4-Day Garden Route Explorer Adventure Accommodated Tour from Port Elizabeth: $706
- 4-Day Garden Route Explorer Adventure Camping Tour from Port Elizabeth: $559
- 5 Day Backpacker Tour from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town: $399
- 5 Day Central Wildcoast Tour: $530
- 7 Day Flowers of Namaqualand Tour from Port Elizabeth: $932
- Addo Elephant National Park Day Tour from Port Elizabeth: $121
- Addo Elephant National Park Full-Day Tour from Port Elizabeth: $144
- Bicycle Rentals & Tours Port Elizabeth: $12
- Big 5 Tour from Port Elizabeth: $228
- Bungy Jump Tour from Port Elizabeth: $148
- Central Wildcoast: 5 Day backpacking & Hiking Tour: $529
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- Canal Cruise: $6.70
- Luxury Boat Cruise Tour at Durban Point Waterfront Canals: $8.05
- Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $34
- Durban Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $36
- Discover Inner City Jewels Walking Tour in Durban: $37
- Durban City Sightseeing Tour: $41
- Durban Half-Day City Tour - Golden Mile, Botanical Gardens: $43
- Durban City Tour: $44
- Durban City Highlights Tour: $46
- St Lucia: iSimangaliso Wetland Park: Full-Day/Half-Day Tour: $52
- Royal Reed Dance Day Tour From Durban: $54
- Durban Highlights tour: $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPort Elizabeth $2.50Durban $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Port Elizabeth
Also in Port Elizabeth, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $3.94
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Port Elizabeth and Durban, we can see that Durban is more expensive. And not only is Port Elizabeth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Port Elizabeth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Port Elizabeth 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 Durban would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Durban than you might in Port Elizabeth.
When is the best time to visit Port Elizabeth or Durban?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Durban in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Port Elizabeth as well as Durban.
Port Elizabeth is cooler than Durban in the summer. The temperature in Port Elizabeth is usually 22°C (72°F) in January, and Durban stays around 25°C (76°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Port Elizabeth this time of the year. In the summer, Port Elizabeth often gets more sunshine than Durban. Port Elizabeth gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durban receives 184 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Durban. Port Elizabeth usually gets less rain in January than Durban. Port Elizabeth gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Durban receives 134 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPort Elizabeth 22°C (72°F)Durban 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Durban in the Autumn?
Both Durban and Port Elizabeth are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Port Elizabeth is cooler than Durban. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Port Elizabeth in April are around 19°C (66°F), and Durban is about 22°C (71°F).
It's quite sunny in Durban. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durban during autumn. Port Elizabeth gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Durban receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, Port Elizabeth usually receives less rain than Durban. Port Elizabeth gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Durban receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPort Elizabeth 19°C (66°F)Durban 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Durban in the Winter?
Both Durban and Port Elizabeth during the winter are popular places to visit.
In July, Port Elizabeth is generally cooler than Durban. Temperatures in Port Elizabeth average around 15°C (58°F), and Durban stays around 17°C (62°F).
In Durban, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Port Elizabeth. In the winter, Port Elizabeth often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Durban. Port Elizabeth gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durban receives 230 hours of full sun.
Port Elizabeth usually gets more rain in July than Durban. Port Elizabeth gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Durban receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPort Elizabeth 15°C (58°F)Durban 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Durban in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Port Elizabeth and Durban.
Port Elizabeth is cooler than Durban in the spring. The temperature in Port Elizabeth is usually 17°C (63°F) in October, and Durban stays around 21°C (69°F).
In Port Elizabeth, it's very sunny this time of the year. Port Elizabeth usually receives more sunshine than Durban during spring. Port Elizabeth gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Durban receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Port Elizabeth usually receives less rain than Durban. Port Elizabeth gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Durban receives 98 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPort Elizabeth 17°C (63°F)Durban 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Durban and Port Elizabeth
| Port Elizabeth | Durban | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 126 mm (5 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (69°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
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