Travel budget and cost of living in South Africa how much does a trip cost?
Are you planning to go to South Africa and need to budget for your trip? On this page you can see sample prices. This enables you to get to grips with actual prices and the cost of living in South Africa. Then, why not use our free tool to calculate your South Africa travel budget.
Travel budget in South Africa
South Africa: calculate your travel budget
South Africa: sample budgets by traveller type
These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in South Africa for 2 people.
Low budget
(backpacker)
Daily budget:
- $ 48 for 2 ppl.
- $ 7.7 per person
- $ 6.1 per person
- Free activities
Total budget:
$ 1048* (19152 ZAR)
Average budget
(traveller)
Daily budget:
- $ 86 for 2 ppl.
- $ 20 per person
- $ 11 per person
- $ 6.5 per person
Total budget:
$ 2223* (40614 ZAR)
High budget
(tourist)
Daily budget:
- $ 108 for 2 ppl.
- $ 35 per person
- $ 20 per person
- $ 14 per person
Total budget:
$ 3389* (61936 ZAR)
* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).
Cost of living in South Africa in 2024
Cost of living: South Africa VS United States
On average, the cost of living in South Africa in 2024 is 49% less than in the United States (USA).
The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:
Explore each type of expense in detail:
Cost of living in South Africa by city
See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in South Africa compared to the national average.
Cities | /South Africa | View Details |
---|---|---|
Worcester | 112% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Worcester |
Mossel Bay | 20% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Mossel Bay |
Port Elizabeth (South Africa) | 15% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Port Elizabeth (South Africa) |
Knysna | 8% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Knysna |
Standerton | 7% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Standerton |
Hermanus | 4% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Hermanus |
Cape Town | 2% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Cape Town |
Johannesburg | 2% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Johannesburg |
Nelspruit | 0% less | Travel budget and cost of living in Nelspruit |
Pretoria | 0% less | Travel budget and cost of living in Pretoria |
Durban | 4% less | Travel budget and cost of living in Durban |
Kimberley | 6% less | Travel budget and cost of living in Kimberley |
Bloemfontein | 10% less | Travel budget and cost of living in Bloemfontein |
Local prices in South Africa by expense type
South Africa: Restaurant budget
![Lunch](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/restaurant.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 4.9 to $ 18)
59% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![3 course dinner](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/restaurant-menu.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 14 to $ 38)
49% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![McDonald's meal](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/mcdo.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 4.1 to $ 5.4)
57% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Local beer](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/biere-locale.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.3 to $ 3)
63% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Imported beer](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/biere-import.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1 to $ 2.7)
54% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Cappuccino](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/cappuccino.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.1 to $ 2.7)
63% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Fizzy drink](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/soda.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.7 to $ 1.5)
62% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Water bottle](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/eau.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.5 to $ 1.1)
65% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
South Africa: Hotel and accommodation budget
![1-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel1.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 23 to $ 354)
55% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![2-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel2.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 31 to $ 305)
47% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![3-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel3.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 34 to $ 316)
61% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![4-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel4.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 44 to $ 460)
59% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![5-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel5.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 69 to $ 631)
55% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Hostel/Youth Hostel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hostel.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 20 to $ 327)
54% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Room with kitchen](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_cuisine.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 36 to $ 402)
58% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Hotel with swimming pool](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_piscine.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 38 to $ 474)
42% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Cottage or guest house](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_gite.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 41 to $ 264)
57% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Family room](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_famille.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 55 to $ 570)
23% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
South Africa: Supermarket food budget
![Milk](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/lait.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.8 to $ 1.6)
2% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Bread](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/pain.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.7 to $ 1.2)
73% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Rice](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/riz.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1 to $ 2.4)
67% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Eggs](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/oeufs.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.3 to $ 3.3)
40% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Chicken](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/poulet.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.7 to $ 6.5)
63% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Apples](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/pommes.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.9 to $ 2)
72% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Tomatoes](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/tomates.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.9 to $ 2)
70% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Potatoes](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/pdt.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.5 to $ 2.2)
61% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Water bottle](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/bouteille-eau.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.7 to $ 1.2)
58% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
South Africa: Public and private transport budget
![Bus ticket](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/ticket-bus.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.9 to $ 3.6)
41% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Taxi (per km)](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/taxi.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.5 to $ 1.6)
37% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Petrol](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/essence.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.2 to $ 1.4)
33% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Taxi (initial pick-up charge)](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/taxi_priseencharge.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.9 to $ 2.2)
68% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Car hire](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/voiture-location.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 21 to $ 67)
44% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
South Africa: Leisure activity budget
![Cinema](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/cinema.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 4.7 to $ 10)
53% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Tennis](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/tennis.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 3 to $ 14)
59% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
South Africa: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes
![Cigarettes](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/cigarette.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.5 to $ 3.6)
71% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Levi's jeans](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/levis.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 29 to $ 67)
14% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Summer dress](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/robe.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 14 to $ 50)
31% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
Plane ticket budget
![Sydney → Johannesburg](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/afrique-du-sud-johannesburg_219.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1344)
![London → Cape Town](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/afrique-du-sud-cape-town-le-cap_618.jpg)
(fair price: $ 795)
![London → Johannesburg](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/afrique-du-sud-johannesburg_219.jpg)
(fair price: $ 679)
![Manchester → Cape Town](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/afrique-du-sud-cape-town-le-cap_618.jpg)
(fair price: $ 825)
![Manchester → Johannesburg](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/afrique-du-sud-johannesburg_219.jpg)
(fair price: $ 698)
![Melbourne → Johannesburg](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/oualler/afrique-du-sud-johannesburg_219.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1198)
About the information on the cost of living in South Africa
The information about the cost of living in South Africa shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.
Information about cost of living in South Africa updated on 25-07-2024.
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