Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beijing 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 Beijing 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: Beijing or Cape Town?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, 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 dayBeijing $77Cape Town $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $77, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $98. 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 Beijing and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $39Cape Town $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $78Cape Town $78
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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: Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $7.63Cape Town $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.71
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Train from Airport for Two$6.90
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Taxi to Hotel$8.28
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2 Metro Passes$2.21
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Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Beijing HTL-APT (PEK): $62
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Beijing APT-HTL (PEK): $62
- Transfers to Jinshanling Great Wall with professional driver: $95
- Tianjin International Cruise Port to Beijing Capital Airport by private transfer: $148
- Tianjin International Cruise Port Transfer from Beijing: $130
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing Daxing Airport by Private Transfer: $148
- Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Beijing International Airport: $153
- Tianjin Binhai Airport to Beijing - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $158
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $205
- The Great Wall Jinshanling PRIVATE TRANSFER From Beijing : $105
- Shijingshan Amusement Park with FlyOver China Experience by Private Transfer: $78
- Shared Shuttle Bus Transfer Between Tianjin Cruise Port And Downtown Beijing : $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $18
- Airport transfers: $22
- 1 Day Durbanville Valley Wine Tasting Tour with Private Transfers: $179
- 1 Day Explore Cape Town Like a Local with Private Guided Transfer: $149
- 1 Day Hemel en Aarde Whale Coast Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $204
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $54
- AIRPORT Transfer to and from Cape Town City: $28
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $18
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town): $54
- Airport Transfer to Cape Town Cruise Terminal: $17
- Airport Transfer: Cape Town to Cape Town Airport CPT in Luxury Car: $88
- Airport Transfers: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Beijing 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 dayBeijing $21Cape Town $42
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.83
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Hot Pot Dinner$6.90
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.76
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Watermelon$1.93
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
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Two Popsicles$0.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Deal 20% off Beijing Nango HotSpring Water World with Dinner: $38
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- Mogolian Hot Pot Dinner with no limit soft drink and local beer .: $70
- discovery more Beijing back street evening food tour with locals : $79
- Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $80
- Discovery more local Beijing evening food Tour: $89
- Beijing Evening Guided Tour: Roast Duck Dinner and Acrobatic Show: $102
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Center Beijing: $108
- Beijing’s Delights Dong Si Hutong Half Day Private Food Tour: $110
- Private Beijing Food Tour in Traditional Hutongs: $119
- Old Beijing Lamb Ribs Hot Pot Hutong Food Tour : $125
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 Class in Bo-Kaap: $41
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $43
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $55
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $56
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $59
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $61
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $61
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $62
- Cruise and Dine Dinner / Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $70
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $76
- South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
- Private Authentic Cape Malay Cooking Class in Manenberg with Locals: $92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $24Cape Town $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.28
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Two Opera Tickets$59
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.66
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Day Mutianyu Great Wall and Beijing Airport Drop off Tour: $235
- 4 hours Deep Forbidden City Private Tour by Knowledgeable Guide.: $80
- 4-Hour Beijing Layover Tour to Hutong from Daxing Airport: $145
- All Inclusive Private Summer Palace, Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour: $204
- All Inclusive Private Tour: Juyongguan Greatwall, Sacred Road, MingTombs : $176
- Beijing 2 Summer Palace Private Garden Tour: $140
- Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with English Driver : $100
- Beijing Private Tour of Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Bird's Nest and Water Cube: $297
- China Art Museum and 798 Art Zone Private Tour: $137
- Classic One Day Beijing Tour: $240
- Forbidden City Tour : $110
- Mutianyu Great Wall And Ming Tomb Private One Day Tour: $205
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: $3.24
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.59
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.14
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.38
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.38
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $5.00
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Return Ticket : $5.32
- Intaka Island Kayak Tour: $5.40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $12Cape Town $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $120
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
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:
- Distillery Tour, rum and gin tasting: $7.17
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.66
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $24
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
- Sip 15 Wines on a 3-Region Wine Tour with Cheese: $38
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $38
- Three Region Wine Tour: $44
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $47
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $49
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $51
- Fullday Wine Tour: $51
- From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Cape Town is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beijing or Cape Town?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cape Town. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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.
When is the best time to visit Beijing or Cape Town?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Cape Town is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Beijing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Beijing or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Cape Town. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Beijing is generally a little warmer than Cape Townin January. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin January. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.
Beijing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Cape Townin January. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBeijing 27°C (80°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Beijing is cooler than Cape Town in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Town during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Cape Townin April. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBeijing 14°C (56°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Beijing during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Beijing can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Cape Town. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Cape Town averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Townin July. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Cape Townin July. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBeijing -4°C (26°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Cape Town. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Beijing is generally cooler than Cape Townin October. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Cape Townin October. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBeijing 14°C (57°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Beijing
| Beijing | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
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.