Is South Africa Expensive?

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

How expensive is South Africa?

On average, visitors spend about $88 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 $615 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 $1,230.

How expensive is a two week trip to South Africa?

A two week trip to South Africa costs about $1,230 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 $2,460.

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 $2,635 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $5,271.

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, $15 per night for a dorm. (See hostel prices in South Africa here.) In particular, many backpackers head to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Drakensberg. You'll find the most expensive hostels in Cape Town, which average $17 a night. The cheapest hostels are in Johannesburg which average $14 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
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• $14 for a dorm bed at CURIOCITY Backpackers in Johannesburg
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• $16 for a dorm bed at Karma Backpackers in Drakensberg
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Where to find affordable hostels in South Africa

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

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 $17 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.

• Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $51
• Panorama Authentic Guided Tour in South Africa: $126
• Half Day Guided Tour in Soweto: $60
• Best of the Winelands Private Tour: $138
• Private Cape Of Good Hope Tour with Table Mountain Ticket Including Park Fees: $185
• Wildlife Wonders - Addo Elephant National Park Tour: $186
• Authentic Cape Town Tour: $289
• Private Half Day Authentic Soweto Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria : $104

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 $20 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: $109
• Dinner At Mandela's - Cultural Township Dinner Experience: $27
• Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $96
• African Cooking with a Chef Founder: $27
• Swartberg Sunset Tour and Dinner: $75
• The Cape Town Essentials Food Tour: $106

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 $15 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 $43 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.

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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.