South Africa offers an extraordinary blend of wildlife safaris, stunning landscapes from Table Mountain to the Garden Route, vibrant cities, and a rich cultural heritage. From world-class wine regions to pristine beaches and the iconic Kruger National Park, it's a destination that captivates every type of traveler.
Local currency: South African Rand (ZAR, R).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in South Africa.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $12-18/night (dorm bed at Once in Cape Town, Curiocity)
- Budget
- $35-55/night (budget guesthouse)
- Midrange
- $80-150/night (3-star hotel or boutique guesthouse)
- Luxury
- $250-1,500+/night (5-star hotels, safari lodges)
Food
- Street
- $2-5 (bunny chow, vetkoek, braai rolls at roadside stalls)
- Local
- $8-15 (sit-down meal at township restaurant or casual eatery)
- Midrange
- $18-35 (mid-range restaurant main course with drink)
- Fine
- $70-150+ (fine dining, La Colombe, Test Kitchen tasting menu)
Transport
- Bus
- $1.50-3 (MyCiTi single trip Cape Town); $9 (Gautrain Sandton to OR Tambo)
- Taxi
- $5-15 (Uber or Bolt city ride)
- Airport
- $12-30 (Uber/Bolt or MyCiTi bus to airport)
- Daytrip
- $25-60 (car hire for a day; organized day tour $60-120)
Activities
- Museum
- $5-10 (Iziko museums, District Six Museum)
- Sites
- $15-30 (Robben Island $30, Table Mountain cable car $22, Apartheid Museum $8)
- Tour
- $40-80 (half-day organized tour)
- Excursion
- $80-250 (full-day safari, shark cage diving, wine tours)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to South Africa costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$280-350/week (hostel, street food, free activities, local transport)
Midrange traveller
$700-1,050/week (guesthouse, mix of restaurants, key attractions, Uber)
Luxury traveller
$2,500-10,000+/week (luxury hotels, fine dining, premium tours, safari lodges)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy a prepaid Vodacom or MTN SIM card at the airport (R200/$11) for mobile data — roaming costs are extremely expensive
Rent a car for exploration outside cities; South Africa's excellent road network and petrol prices make self-driving far cheaper than tours
Woolworths Food and Pick n Pay supermarkets have excellent ready-to-eat food at a fraction of restaurant prices — ideal for picnic lunches
Domestic flights are often cheaper than long-distance buses when booked in advance — FlySafair and Kulula offer competitive prices
Many Cape Town museums have free admission for international visitors on specific days; check Iziko Museums website for current free entry days
Book accommodation well in advance for December-January (South African summer peak season) to avoid price inflation of 50-100%
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Cape Point and Boulders Beach Walk (Cape Peninsula)
The Cape of Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park is accessible on foot from the main parking area, offering dramatic cliffside walking with ocean views — though the park entry fee applies
Bo-Kaap Neighborhood Walk
Strolling the colorful cobblestone streets of Bo-Kaap is completely free and one of Cape Town's most photographed experiences; local mosques and heritage architecture are visible from the street
V&A Waterfront Promenade
The entire V&A Waterfront harbor area is free to walk; enjoy watching seals, boats, and fishermen with Table Mountain as a backdrop without spending a cent
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (free zones)
The garden has paid sections but the lower entrance areas and Boomslang Walkway are visible from outside; check for free entry days for South African residents and low-cost community access
Camps Bay Beach
South Africa's most famous urban beach is free to use; bring your own food and drinks to save money while enjoying the stunning setting between the Atlantic and the Twelve Apostles
Constitution Hill Free Public Art
The exterior and public areas of Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, including the Constitutional Court building's extensive public art collection, are free to view