Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Bilbao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bilbao or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bilbao and Cape Town. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Bilbao or Cape Town?
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, 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 dayBilbao €137Cape Town €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €137, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is €91. 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 Bilbao and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBilbao €72Cape Town €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBilbao €144Cape Town €72
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Bilbao 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: Bilbao Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bilbao €26Cape Town €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Private transfer from Bilbao City Center to Bilbao Airport (BIO): $33
- Private transfer from Bilbao Airport (BIO) to Bilbao City Center: $33
- Private one way arrival OR departure transfer in Bilbao from/to airport: $67
- Private Transfer on arrival and departure in Bilbao: $72
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Logroño: $245
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao Cruise Port: $208
- Private Transfer from Vitoria to Bilbao: $153
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to San Sebastian Airport: $291
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Logroño Airport : $245
- Private Transfer from Vitoria city to Bilbao Airport: $153
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Pamplona city: $230
- Private Transfer from Vitoria Airport to Logroño city: $245
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 Bilbao or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Bilbao 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 dayBilbao €45Cape Town €39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Basque Food Tour with Guide: $86
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $102
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $109
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $113
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $115
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
- The High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $135
- Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $135
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
- Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $156
- Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $198
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.Bilbao €29Cape Town €21
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- PRIVATE San Sebastian and Basque Coast Tour from Bilbao: $290
- Pintxos Tasting in Bilbao Small Group or Private Walking Tour: $81
- Awesome Bilbao – Private Family Walking Tour: $386
- BILBAO-City Highlights Bike Tour: $36
- Basque Coast Tour: Vizcaya Bridge, Gaztelugatxe, Bermeo and Gernika: $66
- Basque Country 7-Day Guided Tour from Bilbao: $1,152
- Bike tour with Pintxos & Drinks in Getxo (Scenic Bilbao Seaside): $60
- Bilbao & Guggenheim Museum Private Walking Tour with guide: $286
- Bilbao & Guggenheim Private Walking Tour from Hotel/Center: $281
- Bilbao - Private Historic walking tour: $377
- Bilbao 3-Day Package: Guggenheim, Hotel Stay and Bike Tour: $253
- Bilbao : Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $48
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 dayBilbao €21Cape Town €19
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Bilbao: $25
- Immersive Evening Spanish Wine Tasting w/ Sommelier: $53
- Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $54
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $80
- Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $81
- Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $148
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $178
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $188
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Bilbao: $201
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $217
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $241
- From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $242
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 Bilbao and Cape Town, we can see that Bilbao is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe 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 Cape Town would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cape Town 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 Bilbao would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bilbao than you might in Cape Town.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bilbao Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao 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 Bilbao 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 Bilbao has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Bilbao or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Cape Town. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.
Bilbao is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. In the summer, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin January. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.
Bilbao usually gets more rain in July than Cape Townin January. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 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 JanuaryBilbao 20°C (68°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Bilbao is around the same temperature as Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bilbao in October average around 16°C (62°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during autumn. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Bilbao. In October, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Cape Townin April. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 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 AprilBilbao 16°C (62°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Bilbao during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene.
In January, Bilbao is generally cooler than Cape Townin July. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 9°C (48°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin July. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets more rain in January than Cape Townin July. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 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 JulyBilbao 9°C (48°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Cape Town. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months.
Bilbao is cooler than Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during spring. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Cape Townin October. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 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 OctoberBilbao 12°C (54°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Bilbao
| Bilbao | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 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.