Which place is cheaper, Port Elizabeth or Soweto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Soweto or Port Elizabeth?
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 Port Elizabeth. 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 Port Elizabeth?
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.
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.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySoweto $61Port Elizabeth $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Soweto is $61, while the average daily cost in Port Elizabeth is $44. 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 Port Elizabeth in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSoweto $31Port Elizabeth $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSoweto $62Port Elizabeth $46
Compare Hotels in Soweto and Port Elizabeth
Looking for a hotel in Soweto or Port Elizabeth? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Soweto $12Port Elizabeth $9.56
Is it cheaper to fly into Soweto or Port Elizabeth?
Prices for flights to both Port Elizabeth 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
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Food Meals for one daySoweto $20Port Elizabeth $14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Soweto $16Port Elizabeth $9.37
Tours and Activities in Soweto
For Soweto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Visit Gospel service with additional Bicycle Tour of Soweto: $44
- Johannesburg: Soweto Half-Day Tour: $57
- Johannesburg: Soweto Tour with Lunch: $67
- Johannesburg: Soweto Night Tour: $92
Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Port Elizabeth are as follows:
- 7 Day Garden Route Tour- Durban to Cape Town via Addo N Park: $1,543
- Addo Elephant Park Tours .: $175
- From 5-Day Garden Route Tour to Cape Town: $543
- Port Elizabeth City Walking Tour: $44
- Port Elizabeth tuk-tuk tour, experience the natural beauty.: $70
- Cape Recife Safari and City Sightseeing Tour: $140
- Xhosa Township/Cultural Experience: $127
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySoweto $8.10Port Elizabeth $2.58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Soweto and Port Elizabeth, we can see that Soweto 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 Soweto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Soweto than you might in Port Elizabeth.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Soweto Expensive? and Is Port Elizabeth Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Soweto or Port Elizabeth?
Soweto has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Port Elizabeth. When comparing the sizes of Soweto and Port Elizabeth, 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.