A Travel Price Comparison for South Africa Port Elizabeth vs. Johannesburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth 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: Port Elizabeth or Johannesburg?

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.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Johannesburg or Port Elizabeth?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Port Elizabeth is $43, while the average daily cost in Johannesburg is $90. 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 Johannesburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Port Elizabeth $23
    Johannesburg $52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Port Elizabeth $46
    Johannesburg $104
Compare Hotels in Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg

Looking for a hotel in Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth


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: Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices and Johannesburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Port Elizabeth $9.23
    Johannesburg $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Port Elizabeth

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Port Elizabeth:

  • Airport Transfers Port Elizabeth to Jeffreys Bay: $27
  • Transfers - Port Elizabeth Airport; Local Hotels and BnB up to 50km: $34
  • Airport Transfers Port Elizabeth to St Francis Bay: $76

Typical Local Transportation prices in Johannesburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Johannesburg:


  • Taxi Ride
    $3.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johannesburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johannesburg:

  • Private Airport Transfer: Johannesburg to Johannesburg O. R.Tambo Airport (JNB): $14
  • Private Airport Transfer: Johannesburg O. R. Tambo Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg: $17
  • Private transfer service from OR Thambo, Lanseria and Wonderboom Airport: $33
  • Tour operator. airport and hotels transfers chauffeur and safari tours services.: $37
  • Private transfer: Johannesburg to Johannesburg Airport (JNB): $38
  • Private transfer: Johannesburg Airport (JNB) to Johannesburg: $38
  • Flexi Airport Transfer with Meet And Greet: $38
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Johannesburg Airport Transfer: $42
  • Private Johannesburg Airport Arrival Transfer: $49
  • Transfer and Shuttles: $50
  • Business Travel - Individual Airport Transfers - Johannesburg: $54
  • Private Airport Transfer to Sandton Hotels: $54

Is it cheaper to fly into Port Elizabeth or Johannesburg?

Prices for flights to both Johannesburg 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Port Elizabeth $13
    Johannesburg $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johannesburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johannesburg.

  • JoburgPlaces Secret Underground Storytelling Dinner: $57
  • JoburgPlaces Migrant Cuisine Storytelling Dinner: $57
  • Johannesburg Cooking Class: $60
  • A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
  • Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve Tour with Carnivore Dinner: $154
  • 3-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $672
  • 4-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $850
  • 4-Day Kruger Park Safari & Panoramic Tour Combo including Breakfast and Dinner: $903
  • 5-Day Kruger National Park Safari including Breakfast and Dinner: $1,115
  • 5-Day Kruger Park Safari & Panoramic Tour Combo including Breakfast and Dinner: $1,119

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Port Elizabeth $9.04
    Johannesburg $20

Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Port Elizabeth are as follows:

  • The Donkin Reserve: Uncover the Port Elizabeth's lively history on an audio tour: $5.00
  • Bicycle Rentals & Tours Port Elizabeth: $12
  • Skip the Line: 2-Hour Guided Game Drive at Kragga Kamma Game Park Ticket: $19
  • Hiking Tours: $20
  • Team Truland's Rum Shop Tours- "We Create Experiences": $21
  • Route 67 Mandela Walking Tour: $21
  • River Cruise on the Sundays River: $23
  • Port Elizabeth Shore Excursion: Port Elizabeth Walking Tour: $34
  • Port Elizabeth Walking City Tour: $34
  • Port Elizabeth Private Walking Tour: $60
  • Township Experience from Port Elizabeth: $77
  • Giraffe Walk and Buffalo Experience Combo: $80

Tours and Activities in Johannesburg

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johannesburg are as follows:

  • Johannesburg Free Walking tours: $3.35
  • The Windybrow Heritage Tour: $13
  • motsoaledi walking tours: $14
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Johannesburg: $17
  • Maboneng Precinct Walking Tour: $19
  • City Sightseeing Johannesburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
  • Taste of Africa (Food & Beer tasting Experience): $23
  • East City Cycle Tour: $24
  • City Skate Tours - Exploring Cities on Skateboards: $27
  • Innercity Walking Tour: $27
  • Ponte Experience: $27
  • Walking Tour of Hillbrow: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Port Elizabeth $2.49
    Johannesburg $4.49

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

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: $10
  • Johannesburg Pub Crawl: $57

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg, we can see that Johannesburg 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 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 Port Elizabeth.

Budget Your Trip

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Port Elizabeth vs. Johannesburg Travel Comparison

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