A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aswan vs. Cape Town for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Aswan or Cape Town?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Aswan or Cape Town? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Aswan or Cape Town?

Aswan

Lounging along the Nile like Egyptian royalty is a fantasy for most world travelers. If you want to do it without the hustle and bustle of Cairo, there's always Aswan. This city in the south of Egypt is the smallest of the three major cities on the Nile. Located just below the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Aswan's 275,00 people include a large portion of Nubians – mostly resettled from their flooded homeland.

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 10-Day Tours in Egypt, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Egypt, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Aswan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Aswan is $19, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $127. 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 Aswan and Cape Town in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aswan $6.37
    Cape Town $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aswan $13
    Cape Town $76
Compare Hotels in Aswan and Cape Town

Looking for a hotel in Aswan 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.

Hotels in Aswan


Hotels in Cape Town


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: Aswan Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aswan $4.09
    Cape Town $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aswan

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aswan:

  • transfer from aswan to luxor with visits: $77
  • private Transfer from Aswan to Luxor with the temples : $45
  • Transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $69
  • Transfer from Aswan to Hurghada : $95
  • Transfer from Aswan to Abu Simbel temples : $30
  • Transfer from Aswan Train Station to your hotel or the opposite : $9.00
  • Transfer from Aswan Airport to Hotels or Nile Cruise in Aswan : $13
  • Private transfer from Hotel To Aswan Airport : $40
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Luxor: $35
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $10
  • Private transfer from Aswan to Aswan Airport: $8.00
  • Private transfer from Aswan Airport to Aswan Hotels: $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfers: $11
  • Transfer from Cape Town City Center to Cape Town Airport: $17
  • Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Claremont Cape Town : $17
  • Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $18
  • Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $18
  • Durbanville Wine Valley Group Tour with Transfer: $18
  • Private Transfer from Cape Town Port to Cape Town Airport (CPT): $19
  • 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $19
  • Private Airport Transfers: $21
  • Cape Town Airport Transfers: $22
  • Airport transfers: $22
  • Cape Town Airport Transfers To and From the Hotels : $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Aswan or Cape Town?

Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Aswan 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Aswan $9.36
    Cape Town $72

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aswan

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aswan.

  • Nubian Dinner in Nubian Village Of Aswan: $40
  • Private Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village in Aswan: $44
  • Nubian Dinner at the Nubian village : $47
  • Nubian Dinner at Nubian Village: $49
  • Dinner on board a cruise on the Nile: $59
  • Private 3-Hour Nubian Party with Dinner and Pickup in Aswan: $77
  • Experience the Magic of Aswan in One Day Food Tour with Guide: $280

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:

  • Cape Malay Cooking with a Chef Founder: $29
  • Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $41
  • Malay Cooking Class and Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $43
  • Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $56
  • Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $60
  • Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $62
  • Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $62
  • From CapeTown: African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $68
  • African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $70
  • African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $75
  • South African Cooking in Cape Town with Local Chef Richard: $76
  • South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Aswan $5.77
    Cape Town $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Aswan

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Aswan are as follows:


  • Temple Kom Ombo for Two
    $1.19

Tours and Activities in Aswan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Aswan are as follows:

  • 3 Hour Private Tour, Ancient Wonders in Philae Temple Tour : $55
  • Abu Simbel Temples Full Day Tour From Aswan With Entry Tickets : $99
  • Abu Simble Private day tour from Aswan: $85
  • Aswan OR Luxor : Full Day Private Guided Tour to Kom Ombo and Edfu temples: $99
  • Day Tour To Luxor From Aswan by Car: $60
  • Exploration of Philae Temple and High Dam in Aswan Private Tour: $29
  • Full Day Tour to Luxor from Aswan by Car: $210
  • Full-Day Private Tour of Aswan, Philae Temple and Obelisk: $95
  • Full-Day Private Tour to Abu Simbel Temples in Aswan : $84
  • High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, & Philae Private Tour: $20
  • Kayak Tour around the Temple of Philae & Heissa Island : $26
  • Nubian Village Day Tour In Aswan: $25

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.62
  • 30 Minute Harbour Boat Cruise with Seal Watching: $3.80
  • Half Hour Seal and Harbour Cruise from Cape Town: $3.90
  • District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $4.00
  • V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
  • Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.42
  • Long March to Freedom Guided Tour: $5.00
  • Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
  • Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Maritime Meander: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Cape Town: $5.55
  • Hout Bay: Duiker Island Seal Colony Cruise: $5.97
  • Harbor Cruise: $6.25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aswan $1.17
    Cape 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: $9.74
  • African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $20
  • Indigenous food and Wine Tasting: $21
  • Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $27
  • Stellenbosch and Paarl Half-Day Wine Tour: $36
  • From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $41
  • Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $42
  • half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $47
  • Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $49
  • Fullday Wine Tour: $52
  • From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $52
  • Aquila Reserve Safari with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $55


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aswan and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Aswan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aswan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aswan 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 Aswan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aswan Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Aswan or Cape Town?

Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Aswan. When comparing the sizes of Aswan 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.