Is South Africa expensive to visit?
South Africa is not only a popular destination, but it is also fairly affordable. Compared to the rest of Africa, it is a moderately priced country to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of countries in Africa for its travel costs, and is comparable to destinations such as Madagascar and Tanzania.
As this is a fairly popular country to visit, you'll find a number of great places in South Africa at a variety of price ranges. The most expensive destinations are Drakensberg, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. If you're looking for lower cost destinations, you can visit Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, and Durban.
Average daily price of selected cities in South Africa, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Cape Town | $174 |
| Johannesburg | $112 |
| Drakensberg | $108 |
| Hermanus | $100 |
| Kruger National Park | $97 |
| Soweto | $80 |
| Hibiscus Coast | $74 |
| Durban | $67 |
| Pretoria | $63 |
| Port Elizabeth | $57 |
Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa
How expensive is South Africa?
On average, visitors spend about $106 per day during their visit to South Africa (U.S. Dollars). Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for South Africa here.
How expensive is a one week trip to South Africa?
On average, a one week trip to South Africa costs about $745 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 one week trip costs $1,490.
How expensive is a two week trip to South Africa?
A two week trip to South Africa costs about $1,490 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 two week trip costs $2,979.
How expensive is a month long trip to South Africa?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one month trip to South Africa costs around $3,192 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $6,384.
The view from Table Mountain, Cape Town
Is it expensive to backpack in South Africa?
South Africa is a popular backpacker destination with more than 70 hostels around the country. Hostels cost, on average, $16 per night for a dorm. (See hostel prices in South Africa here.) In particular, many backpackers head to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Port Elizabeth. You'll find the most expensive hostels in Cape Town, which average $18 a night. The cheapest hostels are in Port Elizabeth which average $13 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in South Africa.
- $21 for a dorm bed at Villa Viva Cape Town in Cape Town
- $24 for a dorm bed at CURIOCITY Joburg in Johannesburg
- $16 for a dorm bed at Lungile Backpackers in Port Elizabeth
Where to find affordable hostels in South Africa
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | 35 | $18 |
| Johannesburg | 12 | $16 |
| Port Elizabeth | 5 | $13 |
Are hotels expensive in South Africa?
When it comes to hotel prices in South Africa, they are slightly more affordable compared to other countries. On average, you can expect to spend about $78 per night for a comfortable room. It's essential to note that within South Africa, certain cities such as Kruger National Park command a higher average price, reaching $912 per night. On the flip side, there are also more budget-friendly alternatives like Port Elizabeth, where hotel prices average $48 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in South Africa
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Kruger National Park | $912 |
| Hermanus | $117 |
| Cape Town | $79 |
| Hibiscus Coast | $75 |
| Durban | $63 |
| Johannesburg | $54 |
| Port Elizabeth | $48 |
Cape Town, South Africa
How expensive are sightseeing activities in South Africa?
Activities and things to do in South Africa can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $18 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.
- Panorama Guided Experience: $126
- Private Full Day Soweto and Johannesburg Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria : $139
- Exclusive Wine and Cape Town Tours by Martin Stevens: $143
- Township Walking Tour: $46
- Table Mountain Private Hike Tour of Kasteelpoort Route from Cape Town: $166
- False Bay Walk & Penguin Kayak Experience - Best thing to do: $135
- Cape Point Penguin Tour: $229
- Private Cape Of Good Hope Tour with Table Mountain Ticket Including Park Fees: $191
Is food expensive in South Africa?
Food in South Africa can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $35 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Half-Day Small Group Cooking Experience in Franschhoek: $118
- Private Cape Malay Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $100
- Private Authentic Cape Malay Cooking Class in Manenberg with Locals: $92
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $72
- Langa Township and Bokaap Cooking Class Half Day Tour: $143
- Safari Game Drive and Dinner in the Bush near Hoedspruit: $146
Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa
Is transportation expensive in South Africa?
Local transportation in South Africa can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $16 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Intercity transportation in South Africa can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $46 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.
More for South Africa
If you're planning a trip to 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.