A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tbilisi vs. Pretoria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tbilisi or Pretoria?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Tbilisi or Pretoria? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Tbilisi or Pretoria?

Tbilisi

Tbilisi is the capital of the country of Georgia. Its cobblestoned old town reflects a long, complicated history, with periods under Persian and Russian rule. Its diverse architecture encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. Looming over it all are Narikala, a reconstructed 4th-century fortress, and Kartlis Deda, an iconic statue of the "Mother of Georgia." Tbilisi’s eternal charms of a dramatic setting in the deep valley of the swift Mtkvari River, picturesque architecture, an ever-lively arts and cultural scene, and the welcoming Georgian lifestyle have been added a whole new 21st-century dimension of inviting cafes and restaurants serving ever better food, up-to-date lodgings from backpacker hostels to international five-stars, interesting bars and clubs, spruced-up museums, galleries, parks, plazas and whole streets, modernized transport and a sprinkling of eye-catching contemporary architecture. The mix of modern and ancient elements makes Tbilisi the beating heart of the South Caucasus and it is well worth a visit.

Pretoria

Located in Gauteng Province, Pretoria is the administrative capital city of South Africa, making it home to many government buildings and three universities. It is actually one of three capital cities, being home to the executive branch, with Cape Town as the legislative capital and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. Within South Africa, Pretoria is also known as the "Jacaranda City" due to the thousands of jacaranda trees lining its streets, parks, and gardens.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in South Africa, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Pretoria or Tbilisi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tbilisi is $29, while the average daily cost in Pretoria 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 Tbilisi and Pretoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tbilisi $13
    Pretoria $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tbilisi $26
    Pretoria $50
Compare Hotels in Tbilisi and Pretoria

Looking for a hotel in Tbilisi or Pretoria? 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 Tbilisi


Hotels in Pretoria


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tbilisi $6.20
    Pretoria $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tbilisi

Also for Tbilisi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer: Tbilisi - Kazbegi: $60
  • Transfer to Ski resort Bakuriani: $181
  • Transfer from airport to any place in Tbilisi: $33
  • Transfer from Tbilisi to skiing resort Gudauri: $61
  • Transfer from Tbilisi to Yerevan whith tour.: $175
  • Transfer from Tbilisi to Yerevan: $25
  • Transfer from Tbilisi airport with luxury BMW car: $73
  • Transfer from Tbilisi City to Tbilisi Airport: $10
  • Transfer from Tbilisi Airport to the city: $35
  • Transfer from Tbilisi Airport to Tbilisi: $10
  • Transfer airport Tbilisi - Gudauri: $80
  • Transfer Tbilisi to Gudauri ski resort: $53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pretoria

Also for Pretoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sun City Private Transfer: $250
  • Shuttle Transfer from Gauteng to Greater Kruger: $61
  • One Way Private Transfer from Airports and Hotels in Sandton: $89
  • Gauteng, South Africa: Airport transfers, shuttle services: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Tbilisi or Pretoria?

Prices for flights to both Pretoria and Tbilisi 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
    Tbilisi $8.03
    Pretoria $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tbilisi

For Tbilisi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Natural Wine Degustation and Tasting with Georgian Dinner Option: $20
  • Small-Group Khinkali and Khachapuri Cooking Class in Tbilisi: $24
  • Georgian Cooking Class with Khinkali and Khachapuri: $25
  • Adjarian Khachapuri Making Private Virtual Cooking Class: $40
  • Traveling Spoon Georgian Dumplings Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Cooking Class with a Local Family: $49
  • Tbilisi Street Food Tour: $70
  • Food Tour with 9 Tastings and Wine: $70
  • Full Day Tbilisi Tour with Cooking Class & Wine Tasting Activity: $95
  • In Georgian Cooking Masterclass by Local: $102
  • Half-Day Food Tour of Tbilisi Dezerter's Bazaar: $125
  • Private Cooking Class with a Georgian Grandmother in Tbilisi: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tbilisi $15
    Pretoria $14

Tours and Activities in Tbilisi

For Tbilisi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Borjomi city tour,Тур по Городу Боржоми: $70
  • Full Day Private Tour in Vardzia, Rabati and Borjomi with Guide: $90
  • Kakheti One Day Tour: $17
  • Private Adorable City Tour of Tbilisi: $34
  • "Tbilisi to Borjomi Rabati Vardzia:Full-Day GuidedGroupTour: $38
  • "Tbilisi to Kazbegi, Gudauri, Ananuri Group Guided Tour": $16
  • "Bodbe,Signaghi,Telavi:GuidedTour FreeWineTasting: $17
  • 002 | Kakheti Wine Region Full Day Tour -Group: $25
  • 1 Day Guided Express Shared Tour in Tbilisi in Georgia: $219
  • 1 Day Tour in Dashbashi Canyon: $50
  • 1 Full Day Kakheti Private tour: $67
  • 1-Day Kazbegi Private tour : $36

Tours and Activities in Pretoria

For Pretoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hours Bicycle Tour in Soweto(Johannesburg): $91
  • 4-Hours Pretoria Private History Tour : $83
  • Aerial Cableway Private Tour from Johannesburg : $82
  • Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre Half-Day Tour from Johannesburg: $199
  • Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg from Pretoria, every FRIDAY afternoon: $51
  • Apartheid Museum Tour in Johannesburg, every FRIDAY afternoon: $51
  • Artistic Half Day Tour of Johannesburg : $86
  • Cheer on the Cheetah Run for Conservation Adventure: $194
  • Cradle of Human Kind & Lion & Rhino Park Tour Full day Tour Private : $188
  • Cradle of Humankind Half Day Tour with Lunch : $110
  • Cradle of Humankind Private Tour and Safari: $108
  • Cradle of Humankind half day tour: $102

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tbilisi $18
    Pretoria $31

Sample the Local Flavors in Tbilisi

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tbilisi:

  • 3 Hours Walk Around Wine Tasting of 12 Different Wines in Tbilisi: $10
  • Tbilisi.First impression of Tbilisi-evening walking,wine tasting: $11
  • One-day tour of Kakheti from Tbilisi, free wine tasting: $14
  • Tbilisi Walking Tour Including Wine Tasting Cable Car and Bakery: $14
  • Tbilisi Walking Tour with Cable Cars, Wine Tasting and Traditional Bakery: $15
  • Kakheti Day Group Tour: Free Wine Tasting: $15
  • Full Day Wine Tour Bodbe , Sighnaghi , Telavi: $16
  • Wine Tasting Feel the Difference of Qvevri or Classical Wine: $16
  • Kakheti Wine Tour, Кахетия -Винный Тур: $19
  • Kakheti: Sighnaghi city of love, Bodbe, Telavi, Free wine tasting: $19
  • Full Day Bodbe Sighnaghi and Telavi Wine Tasting Tour: $20
  • Whole day Wine Tour to Kakheti from Tbilisi: $20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tbilisi and Pretoria, we can see that Pretoria is more expensive. And not only is Tbilisi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tbilisi is in Europe and Pretoria is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tbilisi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tbilisi 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 Pretoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pretoria than you might in Tbilisi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tbilisi Expensive? and Is Pretoria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tbilisi or Pretoria?

Pretoria has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Tbilisi. When comparing the sizes of Tbilisi and Pretoria, 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.