Which place is cheaper, Hermanus or Soweto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Soweto or Hermanus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Soweto and Hermanus. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Soweto or Hermanus?
Soweto
The name Soweto is an acronym for South Western Townships, first used in 1963 to describe the groups of townships to the south west of Johannesburg. It is a city of contrasts, featuring anything from tin shanties to luxurious mansions, and is probably best known for being the home of two Nobel Prize winners.
Hermanus
Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cape Town, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cape Town, The Best 2-Week Tours from Johannesburg, and The Best Wildlife Tours to South Africa.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySoweto $61Hermanus $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Soweto is $61, while the average daily cost in Hermanus is $67. 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 Soweto and Hermanus in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSoweto $31Hermanus $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSoweto $62Hermanus $50
Compare Hotels in Soweto and Hermanus
Looking for a hotel in Soweto or Hermanus? 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: Hermanus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Soweto $12Hermanus $8.04
Is it cheaper to fly into Soweto or Hermanus?
Prices for flights to both Hermanus and Soweto 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 daySoweto $20Hermanus $38
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Soweto $16Hermanus -
Tours and Activities in Soweto
For Soweto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Johannesburg: Soweto Half-Day Tour: $58
- Johannesburg: Soweto Tour with Lunch: $69
- Johannesburg: Soweto Night Tour: $95
Tours and Activities in Hermanus
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:
- Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $268
- Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $74
- Hermanus Land based Whale Walking Tour with Dave de Beer: $70
- Hermanus Whale Watching Day Tour: $24
- Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $73
- Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $136
- Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2024: $55
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySoweto $8.10Hermanus -
Sample the Local Flavors in Hermanus
Also in Hermanus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide : $25
- Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $82
- Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $149
- Whale Watching Boat Trip and Wine tasting ,Penguin: $166
When comparing the travel costs between Soweto and Hermanus, we can see that Hermanus is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Soweto Expensive? and Is Hermanus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Soweto or Hermanus?
Soweto has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Hermanus. When comparing the sizes of Soweto and Hermanus, 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.