Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Antananarivo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Antananarivo or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Antananarivo and Cape Town can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Antananarivo or Cape Town?
Antananarivo
Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar; it is also sometimes referred to as Tana. This city is the cultural and political center of Madagascar as a whole. There are multiple universities, museums, and other social venues in the city, as well as a national rugby team. This city has a very apparent French influence.
Cape Town
Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.
Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Madagascar, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntananarivo $72Cape Town $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Antananarivo is $72, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $96. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Antananarivo and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntananarivo $30Cape Town $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntananarivo $60Cape Town $76
Compare Hotels in Antananarivo and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Antananarivo or Cape Town? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Antananarivo Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antananarivo $14Cape Town $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antananarivo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Antananarivo:
- Private Airport Transfert Ivato Antananarivo: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfers in Cape Town- One way/Round Trips: $15
- 24 hour Private Airport Shuttle and Transfer CBD: $16
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $16
- Airport Transfer to Cape Town Cruise Terminal: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $17
- Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Muizenberg Cape Town : $17
- Private Transfer Cape Town Airport to or from From Cape Town: $19
- Cape Town Airport (CPT) to Cape Town - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Private Airport Transfers: $21
- Shopping Mall Transfers: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Antananarivo or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Antananarivo change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAntananarivo $29Cape Town $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antananarivo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Antananarivo.
- Street food and Cooking class tour in Antananarivo: $163
- Cooking And Cuisine Tasting From Tana-Malagasy Fine Foodie Madagascar Tour: $245
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner At Mandela's - Cultural Township Dinner Experience: $27
- African Cooking with a Chef Founder: $27
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $39
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $41
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $54
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $57
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $58
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $60
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $73
- South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
- Cape Town Food tour with locals: $100
- The Cape Town Essentials Food Tour: $106
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antananarivo $24Cape Town $23
Tours and Activities in Antananarivo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Antananarivo are as follows:
- 3 days -Wildlife and Lemur discovery Tour to Andasibe: $682
- Antananarivo Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $25
- Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $30
- Antanavario: Private custom tour with a local guide: $23
- Day - Tour Ampefy: $144
- Day tour discovery Tour to Ampefy village: $272
- From 9 days unique adventure trip to Tulear: $1,971
- Full Day Private Tour in Antananarivo: $201
- Half-Day Private Tour in Lemur's Park: $150
- Lemur Day Tour at Andasibe Rainforest and Vakona Lodge Reserve: $299
- Madagascar Adventures on Tana, West, East, North, and South: $2,550
- Madagascar: Andasibe and Nosy Be Tour in one week: $2,240
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $2.99
- District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $3.11
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.24
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.24
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Private Guided Tour of Cape Town Diamond Museum: $5.18
- Intaka Island Kayak Tour: $5.18
- The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap: $5.34
- Harbor Cruise: $5.39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntananarivo $9.65Cape Town $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town
Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.36
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $19
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $27
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $37
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $37
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $47
- Fullday Wine Tour: $49
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $50
- Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $52
- Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Wine Tram: $61
- Wine Tasting Private Tour through Durbanville Winelands: $64
- Cape Town Tour with wine tasting.Full day peninsula tour.: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antananarivo and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Antananarivo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antananarivo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antananarivo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town than you might in Antananarivo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antananarivo Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Antananarivo or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Antananarivo. When comparing the sizes of Antananarivo and Cape Town, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.