Motoring & Leisure
Article By Malcolm Libera
How much it costs to drive vs fly from Joburg to Cape Town and Durban for the holidays.
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In 2025, driving emerges as a considerably cheaper option than flying for Christmas travel in South Africa.
This is especially true for journeys between Johannesburg and major holiday destinations like Cape Town or Durban.
An average return trip by car costs approximately R4,217 to Cape Town and R2,185 to Durban.
In contrast, average round-trip flight prices for the same routes are significantly higher, at R6,714 and R3,476, respectively.
Despite the expected increase in diesel and petrol prices for December, South Africans can expect very simialr prices at the pumps this year compared to December 2024. This makes road travel even more attractive for budget-conscious holidaymakers.
For families, the savings become even more pronounced. A car trip costs the same regardless of the number of passengers, making it far more economical for a group of four compared to flying.
A family traveling by car would need to spend an extraordinary amount—around R26,000 for Cape Town or R14,000 for Durban on overnight accommodation during the journey—to match the cost of plane tickets for four.
BusinessTech looked at the price of a round trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town and Durban with the most popular cars per vehicle type (prices sourced from TopAuto. Prices also include toll fees)
JHB to CPT
| Type | Car | Consumption per 100km |
Single Trip | Return Trip |
| SUV | Toyota Corolla Cross | 6.8L | R2,240.67 | R4,481.34 |
| Bakkie | Toyota Hilux | 7.3L* | R2,185.22 | R4,370.44 |
| Hatchback | VW Polo Vivo 1.6 | 6.5L | R2,152.17 | R4,304.34 |
| Crossover | Suzuki Fronx | 5.5L | R1,856.92 | R3,713.84 |
*Diesel
JHB to DBN
| Type | Car | Consumption er 100km |
Single Trip | Return Trip |
| SUV | Toyota Corolla Cross | 6.8L | R1,146.59 | R2,293.18 |
| Bakkie | Toyota Hilux | 7.3L* | R1,123.84 | R2,247.68 |
| Hatchback | VW Polo Vivo 1.6 | 6.5L | R1,110.47 | R2,220.94 |
| Crossover | Suzuki Fronx | 5.5L | R989.88 | R1,979.76 |
*Diesel
Below are the prices per airline for a round trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town and Durban for a 10-day holiday during Christmas (20 Dec 2025 to 2 Jan 2026) and include one bad of luggage.
| Airline | Round trip price (JHB to CPT) |
Round trip price (JHB to DBN) |
| CemAir | R6,939 | R5,249 |
| FlySafair | R5,824 | R2,840 |
| Lift | R5,860 | R2,385 |
| Airlink | R7,421 | R2,808 |
| SAA | R7,529 | R4,101 |
Even factoring in potential overnight stops for rest during the roughly 15-hour drive to Cape Town, driving remains the more affordable option.
The cost of air travel has risen notably, putting additional strain on holiday budgets.
Increased operational costs for airlines, such as higher airport fees, maintenance costs, and rising demand during the festive season, have pushed ticket prices higher.
Additionally, the demand for air travel spikes during the Christmas period, further driving up prices.
Despite the convenience and time savings offered by air travel—especially for those who can afford the higher prices—the financial benefit of driving is hard to ignore.
For solo travelers, couples, or families, the significant cost difference makes driving the preferred option.
While flying takes only a few hours and eliminates the need for overnight stops, the price gap is difficult to justify for many South Africans, especially during a time when budgets are often stretched.
Ultimately, whether traveling solo or with loved ones, South Africans planning their festive season getaways are likely to find driving the more economical choice for Christmas 2025.
*Prices sourced from each airline’s website Departing flights were for Saturday, 20 December, while return flights were for Friday, 02 January. Air travel prices are prone to change and not all airlines offer the same packages.
Article Credit to: BusinessTech Motoring.
What is your view on driving versus flying to your holiday destination like Durban or Cape Town, do you think it’s better to drive or fly? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you found our content informative, do like it and share it with your friends.
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