Is Durban expensive to visit?
Durban is a frequently visited and budget-friendly place to visit. With a daily average travel cost of $51, it's somewhat less expensive than most other destinations in the world. When compared to the rest of Africa, it is a reasonably affordable destination. It ranks in the top 25% of cities in Africa for its affordability. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Zagora and Zanzibar.
Durban, South Africa
How expensive is Durban?
For a trip to Durban, travelers spend on average $51 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Durban here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Durban?
On average, a weekend trip to Durban costs about $154 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $308.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Durban?
A one week trip to Durban costs about $359 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $719.
Is it expensive to backpack in Durban?
With more than 4 hostels in the area, Durban is a fairly popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $13 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Durban here.) There's a wide range in prices for beds, as the cheapest hostels cost $10, but the most expensive can be more than $17 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Durban.
- $10 for a dorm bed at Tekweni Backpackers Hostel
- $12 for a dorm bed at Smiths Cottage
- $17 for a dorm bed at Durban Backpackers - On the Beach
Are hotels expensive in Durban?
If you're considering hotel prices in Durban, you'll find them to be notably budget-friendly in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $63. In Durban, there are about 11 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $166. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $58 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $57 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Durban
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 11 | $166 |
| 4 stars | 52 | $70 |
| 3 stars | 76 | $58 |
| 2 stars | 5 | $57 |
| 1 star | 4 | $46 |
| No rating | 1 | $176 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Durban?
In Durban, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $16 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $17.
- Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $51
- Day Tour of Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana: $158
- Sani Pass Private Day Tour from Durban: $160
- Hluhluwe Safari & Emdoneni Wild Cat Project Day Tour from Durban: $241
- Durban Walking Tour: $26
- Hluhluwe Imfolozi & DumaZulu Cultural Village Tour from Durban: $241
- Big 5 Safari Durban Day Tour from Durban : $142
- Drakensberg Kamberg Rock Art & Mandela Capture Site Day Tour from Durban: $187
Is food expensive in Durban?
In Durban, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $16 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $20.
- Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Durban: $40
Is transportation expensive in Durban?
The prices of local transportation in Durban can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $13 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $15. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Durban
If you're planning a trip to Durban, South Africa, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.