Is Johannesburg expensive to visit?
Johannesburg is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $94. Compared to the rest of Africa, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It's ranked in the top 50% of cities in Africa for its travel costs, comparable to places like Jinja and Cape Town.
Johannesburg, South Africa
How expensive is Johannesburg?
On average, visitors spend about $94 per day when visiting Johannesburg (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $187 per day. 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 Johannesburg here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Johannesburg?
A weekend trip to Johannesburg costs about $281 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 weekend trip costs $562.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Johannesburg?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Johannesburg costs around $656 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,312.
Is it expensive to backpack in Johannesburg?
With more than 10 hostels in the area, Johannesburg is a 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 $14 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Johannesburg here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $8, but the most expensive can be more than $34 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Johannesburg.
- $14 for a dorm bed at CURIOCITY Backpackers
- $11 for a dorm bed at Brown Sugar Backpackers
- $14 for a dorm bed at Lebo's Soweto Backpackers
Are hotels expensive in Johannesburg?
From our analysis of hotel prices in Johannesburg, we can see that they are very affordable in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $54. The area hosts around 26 five-star hotels, averaging $206 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $43 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $34 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Johannesburg
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 26 | $206 |
| 4 stars | 107 | $65 |
| 3 stars | 98 | $43 |
| 2 stars | 13 | $34 |
| 1 star | 9 | $34 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Johannesburg?
Activities and things to do in Johannesburg 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 $21 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $17.
- Half Day Guided Tour in Soweto: $60
- Private Half Day Authentic Soweto Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria : $104
- Soweto half day Tour: $56
- Private Half Day Pretoria City Tour from Johannesburg or pretoria: $101
- Johannesburg and Apartheid Museum and Soweto Guided Full-Day Tour : $135
- Johannesburg's Downtown Walking Tour with lunch: $72
- Private 5-Hour Lion Park Tour from Johannesburg or Pretoria: $115
- Lesedi Cultural Village Experience Tour with Lunch: $102
Is food expensive in Johannesburg?
Food in Johannesburg can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $17 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $20. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Johannesburg Culture and food tour: $96
- A Private Traditional Cape Malay Cooking Class, with a MKR Finalist: $95
- Johannesburg: Pan-African Cooking & Dinning Experience: $186
- Johannesburg: Maboneng Street Art and Street Food Tour: $39
- Johannesburg: Taste of Africa Food Tour: $49
Is transportation expensive in Johannesburg?
Exploring local transportation in Johannesburg shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $16 per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $15. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Johannesburg
If you're planning a trip to Johannesburg, 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.