South Africa
First-world safari, wine and coast, bought with a volatile rand.
Slightly pricier. The exchange rate moved −3.2%; local prices rose +4.2%.
- Lean
- $46
- Comfort
- $240
Ranked 48 of 65.
The short answerIn US dollars, as of November 12, 2026
South Africa is 3.9% more expensive for US-dollar travelers than a year ago, after adjusting for inflation. A mid-range day costs about $103 per person, excluding international flights. The US State Department advisory is Level 2 (increased caution), and it ranks 48 of 65 on the Trip Arbitrage Index with a score of 55 out of 100.
What your money buys there
30 monthsThe dashed line is what a currency converter shows. The solid line is the same thing after prices in both countries are taken into account. When they part, the solid one is telling the truth.
How the score is built
- Dislocation ×0.36
- 41
- Price floor ×0.30
- 48
- Safety ×0.20
- 75
- Ease ×0.14
- 80
Real price drop vs last year and vs the five-year norm
How low the daily cost is in absolute terms
From the current travel advisory
How well set up the country is for visitors
The full reading
| Real change, 3 months | +2.8% | Is the move still going, or already reversing? |
|---|---|---|
| Real change, 12 months | −3.9% | The headline: what your money buys versus a year ago. |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | −3.2% | What a currency converter would tell you. |
| Local inflation, 12 months | +4.2% | How much of that the destination's own prices took back. |
| Versus five-year average | −5.6% | Cheap or dear against its own recent history. |
| Advisory | Level 2 | Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 4.2 / 5 | Well set up |
- Self-drive Kruger at $50 a day
- Winelands tastings at $5
- Excellent restaurants at half London's prices
Violent crime is real and requires planning. Power cuts have eased but not vanished.
When to go
November is peak season- Janoff
- Feboff
- Marpeak
- Aprpeak
- Maypeak
- Junshoulder
- Juloff
- Augshoulder
- Seppeak
- Octpeak
- Novpeak
- Decoff
Safety and ease
- US State Department
- Level 2: Increased caution · updated May 26, 2025
- Read the full advisory ↗
- Advisories are often regional. A country-wide level can hide both safe areas and no-go zones, and other governments may judge differently.
- Tourism infrastructure
- Well set up · 4.2 / 5
South Africa, in five questions
Answers are generated from the index reading of November 12, 2026, in US dollars. To cite: “Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026.”
- How much does it cost per day to travel in South Africa?
- As of November 12, 2026, a day in South Africa costs about $46 on a lean budget, $103 mid-range and $240 in comfort, per person, excluding international flights. These are modeled estimates, updated daily for local inflation and the exchange rate.
- Is South Africa cheaper to visit than a year ago?
- No. Over the past 12 months the exchange rate moved −3.2% for US-dollar holders while prices in South Africa rose +4.2%, a net real change of −3.9% in purchasing power. Against its own five-year average, South Africa is 5.6% more expensive.
- Is South Africa safe to travel to right now?
- The US State Department rates South Africa at Level 2: Increased caution. Violent crime is real and requires planning. Power cuts have eased but not vanished. Advisories are often regional and other governments may differ, so read the full advisory before booking.
- When is the cheapest time to visit South Africa?
- The shoulder months, when the weather is workable and prices ease, are June, August. The best conditions, and the highest prices, come in September, October, November, March, April, May. November is peak season.
- How easy is South Africa to travel around?
- South Africa scores 4.2 out of 5 for ease of travel (well set up), a measure of transport, lodging, payments, wayfinding and access to healthcare. First-world safari, wine and coast, bought with a volatile rand.
Elsewhere in Africa
Reading of November 12, 2026. In US dollars, South Africa reads −3.9% over twelve months in real terms with a mid-range day near $103. Costs are modeled, not quoted: see the method.