Joburg to Cape Town: Is it cheaper to fly or drive?

After we saw an increase yet again in fuel prices earlier this month, the question is whether it is still cheaper to travel by car instead of flying from Joburg to Cape Town. Of course, an impacting factor is also whether you are travelling alone or not.  

FUEL COSTS

The weakening of South Africa’s currency and the global rise in oil prices have led to numerous increases in fuel costs in SA, according to Business Tech.

However, the same factors have influenced the airline industry. Prices of jet fuel and exchange rates have influenced airline ticket prices. The cost of jet fuel has increased by 223% between October 2020 and October 2023. Fuel costs make up half of airlines’ operating expenses.

Having said this, it is clear that South Africans face high costs either way, whether flying or driving.

FLYING OR DRIVING – WHAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE?

Business Tech researched the cost of travelling from Joburg to Cape Town. The data showed that travelling by road still works out to be cheaper than flying. This is regardless of whether you are travelling alone or not. If you travel with more than one person, however, then driving is substantially cheaper. Driving for a family of four, for example, will cost about the same as travelling alone.

The research was conducted using popular cars in five vehicle type categories. A single trip from Joburg to Cape Town will cost you between R2157 and R2557 if you travel by car. The average price for a return trip is around R4708.

The average flight ticket price for a return trip from Joburg to Cape Town for one person, ranges between R4 449 and R6 592 depending on factors like flight times and dates. The advantage of flying is of course that it is much faster. Therefore, you save a lot of time and get to spend more time in Cape Town.

However, some people prefer to drive and make a few stops along the way – whether to see new places or to rest in between. Colesberg, a sheep-farming area in the heart of the Northern Cape, is a popular choice for staying overnight when driving from Joburg to Cape Town.

ALSO READ: South African Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold