How Much Does Johannesburg Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Johannesburg offers a complex financial landscape where budget travelers can thrive alongside extreme luxury. Visitors should prepare for a daily budget ranging from $40 / R652 for budget-conscious solo travelers to over $1,210 / R19,551 for those seeking high-end exclusivity. While costs for basics like street food and public transport remain low, private security and premium lodging in areas like Sandton drive the upper end of the spectrum. Compared to major European capitals, the city offers significantly more value for dining and experiences, though transportation logistics require careful planning. Understanding the distinction between neighborhood price points is key to managing expenses effectively.
Is Johannesburg expensive to visit?
Johannesburg is a highly affordable destination for international travelers, with daily costs ranging from $40 / R652 to $1,210 / R19,551 depending on the level of comfort and security required.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Johannesburg
$40
per person /day
$199
per person /day
$1,210
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $121 | $596 | $3,630 |
| 5-Day Trip | $201 | $992 | $6,050 |
| 7-Day Trip | $282 | $1,390 | $8,470 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
Factor in a 15% buffer to cover hidden costs like the $0.62 / R10 tip for informal car guards and the expected 10–15% restaurant service charge. Note that Uber fares often increase by approximately $3.12 / R50 during the afternoon rush hour from 16:00–18:00.
How Does It Compare?
See how Johannesburg stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Johannesburg
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Street Food Meal (Kota / Quarter) A local specialty—hollowed-out bread filled with chips and meat. ~$3.41 / R55. | $3.41 R55 |
| Mid-range Restaurant Main Course A standard main at a decent spot in Rosebank or Sandton. ~$13. | $13 R211 |
| Local Beer (500ml draught) Expect higher prices in luxury hotel bars. ~$3.24 / R52. | $3.22 R52 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Gautrain Airport Link (OR Tambo to Sandton) The safest and fastest way to reach the city center. ~$15 / R243. | $15 R243 |
| Uber Standard Ride (Sandton to Rosebank) Uber is the primary safe transport for tourists. ~$7.06 / R114. | $7.13 R115 |
| Rea Vaya BRT (Maximum distance >35km) Cheapest transit option, though less convenient for many tourist spots. ~$1.86 / R30. | $1.86 R30 |
| Small Car Rental (Daily Rate) Includes basic insurance. Useful for day trips to Pilanesberg or the Cradle. ~$36 / R580. | $36 R581 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel Dorm Bed (Curiocity Johannesburg) Located in the Maboneng precinct. Budget ~$21 / R342 per night. | $22 R351 |
| Mid-range Hotel Room (Garden Court Sandton City) Excellent location near the Gautrain station and Sandton City Mall. ~$121 / R1,959 per night. | $121 R1,955 |
| Luxury Hotel Suite (The Saxon Hotel) World-class luxury in Sandhurst. ~$918 / R14,836 per night. | $918 R14,839 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Apartheid Museum Admission International adult price. Students and pensioners pay ~$6.18 / R100 (R100). | $9.31 R150 |
| Soweto Towers Bungee Jump Iconic 100-meter jump from the cooling towers. ~$39 / R628. | $39 R632 |
| Cradle of Humankind Combo Ticket Includes Maropeng Visitor Centre and Sterkfontein Caves. ~$13 / R215. | $13 R215 |
| City Sightseeing 1-Day Bus Ticket Online discount price. Walk-up price is ~$21 / R346 (R345). | $20 R316 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Johannesburg is diverse and affordable, with local specialties like a Kota street food meal costing just $3.41 / R55. A sit-down main course at a reputable restaurant in Rosebank typically averages around $13, while a 500ml local beer costs approximately $3.22 / R52.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Pata Pata
$6.83–$11 / R110–R180Maboneng · Local chain
Great for affordable local flavors like Oxtail stew (~$10 / R162).
Chaf Pozi
$9.31–$16 / R150–R251Soweto · Street food area
The ultimate Shisa Nyama (braai) experience right under the Orlando Towers.
Soul Food
$5.27–$8.06 / R85–R130Maboneng · Food court
Hearty, affordable portions in a trendy setting. Try the Bunny Chow for ~$5.3 / R86.
Kitchener's Carvery Bar
$5.58–$9.31 / R90–R150Braamfontein · Local chain
Johannesburg's second oldest pub; great for a cheap burger and beer (~$8.83 / R143 combo).
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Uber is the primary safe transport method for visitors, with a typical ride from Sandton to Rosebank costing about $7.13. While the Rea Vaya bus is the cheapest option at $1.86 for long distances, the Gautrain Airport Link is the preferred fast connection from the airport at $15 / R243.
Accommodation Overview
Budget travelers can find hostel dorm beds in the trendy Maboneng precinct for around $22 / R351 per night. Mid-range comfort in commercial hubs like Sandton costs approximately $121 / R1,955, while world-class luxury suites at properties like The Saxon can reach $918 / R14,839 per night.
Accommodation Budget in Johannesburg
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the City Sightseeing 1-Day Bus Ticket online for $20 / R316 to save nearly $2.35 / R38 compared to walk-up prices.
- 2 Eat local street food like the Kota (a hollowed-out bread loaf) in Soweto for a filling meal at only $3.41 / R55.
- 3 Use the Gautrain to avoid high-priced airport transfers, but switch to Uber for group travel within the city as it is more cost-effective for 3 or more people.
- 4 Visit the Cradle of Humankind using the combo ticket for $13 / R215, which covers both the Maropeng Visitor Centre and Sterkfontein Caves.
- 5 Look for "Happy Hour" deals in the Melville district, particularly along 7th Street, where local beers can drop below the average $3.22 / R52.
- 6 Explore the Maboneng precinct on foot during the day to enjoy the street art and urban atmosphere without spending on guided tours.
- 7 Stick to the Rea Vaya BRT for longer distances if on a strict budget, as it costs only $1.86 for routes exceeding 35km.
- 8 Group your activities in Sandton and Rosebank to minimize Uber costs, which average $7.13 between these two commercial hubs.
- 9 Shop for snacks and essentials at local supermarkets like Checkers or Pick n Pay rather than convenience stores inside hotels.
- 10 Take advantage of the student and pensioner discount at the Apartheid Museum, which reduces the entry fee to approximately $6.18 / R100.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Apr, Jul
+20-35%
May, Jun, Aug
-15-25%
Sep, Oct, Nov
Winter (Jun–Aug) is the best time for game viewing near the city, but early summer (Sep–Nov) offers the best balance of weather and price. High-end lodges see major spikes in Dec.
Events to Watch
- ● Christmas/New Year (late Dec): +50% hotels
- ● Easter Weekend: High activity prices
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Explore the 81-hectare Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia for free.
- 2 Walk through The Wilds Nature Reserve, a revitalized park in Houghton featuring skyline views and art installations.
- 3 Visit the Wits Art Museum (WAM) in Braamfontein, which offers free admission to its extensive African art collections.
- 4 Take a self-guided walking tour of the vibrant street art and murals throughout the Maboneng precinct.
- 5 Wander through the Mining District’s outdoor museum along Main Street to see historic machinery and sculptures.
- 6 Spend an afternoon at Zoo Lake, a popular public park perfect for people-watching and free outdoor picnics.
- 7 Visit the Goodman Gallery in Parkwood to view contemporary South African and international art for free.
- 8 Hike up the Melville Koppies Central on designated open days for archaeological sites and panoramic city vistas.
- 9 Browse the local crafts and atmosphere at the Sunday Market on Main in Maboneng, which offers free entry.
- 10 Walk the grounds of Constitution Hill to see the public art and architecture (museum entry requires a fee).
- 11 Explore the James Hall Museum of Transport, which houses historic steam engines and trams with no mandatory entry fee.
- 12 Visit the Everard Read Gallery, South Africa's oldest commercial gallery, which is free to browse in Rosebank.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Saxon Hotel High Tea
The most prestigious high tea in Africa, served in Nelson Mandela's former retreat. ~$53 / R856.
Pilanesberg Full Day Safari
See the Big Five in a malaria-free volcanic crater just 2.5 hours from the city. ~$198 / R3,195.
Soweto Quad Bike Tour
A unique, high-energy way to navigate the streets of Soweto with a local guide. ~$53 / R856.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Johannesburg
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Johannesburg and what they cost
Cradle of Humankind (Maropeng)
$36 / R581 by car rental or private tour
$13 / R215
$62 / R1,003
Pretoria (Voortrekker Monument & Union Buildings)
$11 / R180 by Gautrain
$7.45 / R120
$31 / R501
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
South African Rand (ZAR)
1 $ ≈ 16 R
Yes
Excellent in malls, restaurants, and hotels; cash is only needed for tipping guards or buying from informal street vendors.
Standard is 10-15% in restaurants. Parking guards and petrol attendants expect ~$0.59–$1.18 / R9.51–R19.
Use ATMs inside malls or bank branches (Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank) for safety. Avoid street-side ATMs at night.
Only expected at craft markets like Rosebank Sunday Market or with street vendors. Never bargain in shops or restaurants.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$14 for 1GB-5GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18–$29 / R285–R476 for a 10GB-20GB tourist bundle at the airport
WiFi: Widely available in Sandton and Rosebank malls, cafés, and hotels. Limited in townships.
Use a Saily or Airalo eSIM for immediate data upon landing; for heavy use, a local Vodacom SIM provides better coverage.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Johannesburg.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Where to Stay
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Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown