Travel Costs in South Africa
All figures are approximate estimates in USD for comparison.
- Budget / day
- $35
- Mid-range / day
- $90
- Luxury / day
- $300
- Budget meal
- $4
- Coffee
- $2
- Local transport
- $0.8
- Budget hotel
- $18
- Mid-range hotel
- $65
Overview
South Africa is relatively affordable for international travelers, largely because the South African Rand is weak against the US dollar, stretching budgets considerably. Costs vary significantly by region — Cape Town and the Garden Route are noticeably pricier than inland cities like Johannesburg or smaller towns. Safari experiences and game lodge stays are the biggest budget drivers, often pushing daily spending well above average.
Notes
Use Uber rather than metered taxis in major cities for safer and cheaper rides, and shop for groceries at chains like Woolworths Food or Pick n Pay to save significantly on meals compared to eating out every day.