Cost of Living in Pretoria
How much does it cost to visit Pretoria? Daily budgets, accommodation costs, and real price examples for 2026.
Photo: Pietro De Grandi / Unsplash
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget
Hostels, street food, free attractions
ZAR 700
per day
Weekly: ZAR 4900
Monthly: ZAR 21000
Examples
- 🏨Stay at a dorm bed in an Airbnb like the one in Arcadia.ZAR 250
- 🍽️Lunch at a local takeaway like 'Brothers Burgers' for a hearty meal.ZAR 150
- 🚌Utilize local minibus taxis for short distances.ZAR 100
- 🎟️Visit the Union Buildings and explore the surrounding gardens (free entry).ZAR 0
- 🎟️Explore Church Square and the Pretoria City Hall.ZAR 0
- 🍽️Dinner at a casual eatery in Hatfield like 'Hillside Restaurant'.ZAR 200
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, restaurants, guided tours
ZAR 1500
per day
Weekly: ZAR 10500
Monthly: ZAR 45000
Examples
- 🏨Stay at a comfortable guesthouse like 'The Orient Boutique Hotel'.ZAR 700
- 🍽️Lunch at 'La Cantina' for Italian cuisine.ZAR 250
- 🚌Use Uber for convenient transport around the city.ZAR 300
- 🎟️Visit the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa.ZAR 200
- 🎟️Explore the Pretoria Art Museum.ZAR 50
- 🍽️Dinner at 'Fumo Restaurant' for a refined dining experience.ZAR 500
Luxury
5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours
ZAR 3500
per day
Weekly: ZAR 24500
Monthly: ZAR 105000
Examples
- 🏨Stay at 'The Capital Menlyn Maine' with its amenities.ZAR 1800
- 🍽️Gourmet lunch at 'Mosaic Restaurant' known for its tasting menus.ZAR 700
- 🚌Private chauffeur service for the day.ZAR 1000
- 🎟️Private guided tour of the Cullinan Diamond Mine (day trip).ZAR 500
- 🎟️Spa treatment at your hotel or a luxury spa.ZAR 300
- 🍽️Fine dining dinner at 'Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient'.ZAR 700
Cost by Category
accommodation
R 300 - R 1200
food
R 200 - R 600
Transport
R 100 - R 300
activities
R 100 - R 400
Cost by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Budget Level | vs City Centre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arcadia | Mid-range | around center | first-timers, culture |
| Brooklyn | Luxury | more expensive | luxury, couples |
| Hatfield | Budget | cheaper | nightlife, solo travelers |
| Waterkloof | Luxury | significantly more expensive | luxury, couples |
Money-Saving Tips for Pretoria
🏨 Accommodation
- Stay in budget neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre
- Book apartments for longer stays (weekly discounts)
- Travel in shoulder season for lower hotel rates
- Compare prices across multiple booking platforms
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Eat where locals eat, away from tourist hotspots
- Try street food and market stalls for cheap eats
- Buy lunch specials instead of evening meals
- Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen
🚌 Transport
- Buy multi-day transit passes for unlimited travel
- Walk between nearby attractions to save fares
- Use public transport over taxis where possible
- Book airport transfers in advance for fixed prices
🎟️ Activities
- Take free walking tours (tip-based)
- Look for free museum days or discounted hours
- Book tours and activities online for lower prices
- Explore parks, markets, and neighbourhoods on foot
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FAQ: Pretoria Costs
How much does it cost to visit Pretoria?
Budget travellers can visit Pretoria for around ZAR 700/day (ZAR 4900/week). Mid-range travellers should budget ZAR 1500/day, while luxury travel costs around ZAR 3500/day.
Is Pretoria expensive?
Pretoria is on the expensive side. Budget travellers need at least ZAR 700/day. Consider staying in budget neighbourhoods and eating at local spots to save.
How much should I budget per day in Pretoria?
For a comfortable mid-range experience in Pretoria, budget ZAR 1500/day. This covers a decent hotel, meals at sit-down restaurants, public transport, and a couple of activities.
What is the cheapest way to visit Pretoria?
Budget travellers in Pretoria can get by on ZAR 700/day by staying in hostels or budget hotels, eating street food and local restaurants, using public transport, and choosing free walking tours and public attractions.