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Is South Africa expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
South Africa is good value for visitors from Europe, North America and Australia, thanks to a weak rand: wine, food and self-drive travel cost much less than at home. A budget day is about R1,400 per person (roughly US$75–80), mid-range about R3,050, and the money goes on accommodation, safari lodges, internal flights and car rental.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | R500 | R1,200 | R4,500 |
| Food & drink | R350 | R700 | R1,500 |
| Sights & tickets | R300 | R650 | R1,200 |
| Local transport | R250 | R500 | R1,200 |
| Per person, per day | R1,400 | R3,050 | R8,400 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our South Africa day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Table Mountain cableway return | about R450–500 |
| Boulders Beach penguins (foreigners) | about R200–250 |
| Cape of Good Hope (Table Mountain NP) | about R400–450 |
| Robben Island tour | about R600–650 |
| Wine tasting in Stellenbosch | about R100–200 |
| Kruger daily conservation fee (foreigners) | about R500–550 |
| Uber within Cape Town | about R60–150 |
| Internal flight | about R1,500–3,500 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost, ranging from rest camp huts in Kruger to all-inclusive private lodges in the Sabi Sand at R8,000–30,000. Internal flights between Cape Town and the Kruger area are a significant extra. Park fees for foreigners, the Table Mountain cableway and Robben Island add up. Food and wine are excellent value, and a rental car (about R400–800 a day) is cheap compared with Europe.
When it is cheaper
Cape Town's winter (June to August) is the cheapest time for coastal hotels; December–January holidays and Easter are the most expensive. In Kruger, rest camps book out in school holidays.
How to spend less
- Stay in SANParks rest camps inside Kruger instead of private lodges.
- Self-drive in Kruger rather than paying for guided drives every day.
- Consider a Wild Card if you will visit several national parks.
- Use Uber in Cape Town rather than tours for short trips.
- Choose restaurants in the winelands at lunch for cheaper set menus.
- Book internal flights early for the lowest fares.
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Common questions
Is South Africa expensive?
No, it is good value for most foreign visitors, especially for food, wine and car rental.
How much does a day in South Africa cost?
About R1,400 per person on a budget, R3,050 mid-range and R8,400 in comfort, excluding internal flights.
How much is Kruger?
About R500–550 per day for foreigners, plus accommodation.