Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Bonn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bonn or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bonn 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: Bonn or Cape Town?
Bonn
Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, 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 dayBonn €154Cape Town €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Bonn is €154, 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 Bonn and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBonn €85Cape Town €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBonn €170Cape Town €72
Compare Hotels in Bonn and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Bonn 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: Bonn Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bonn €23Cape Town €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bonn
Also for Bonn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bonn hotels Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From 3-Day Safari and Coastal Tour with Transfer: $508
- From Group Transfer Only to Aquilla Game Reserve: $459
- Big 5 Aquila Safari Private Transfer with Park Fee From Cape Town: $300
- Jeep Dune Adventure Tour, Sandboarding & Transfer: $279
- Shark Cage Diving & Penguins Tour to Gansbaai with private transfers: $274
- Cape Town Morning or Afternoon Safari including private transfer: $254
- Aquila Safari Game Drive, Lunch & Shared Transfers from Cape Town: $252
- Whale Watching In Hermanus with Private Transfer: $250
- Pvt Airport to Hout Bay Transfer: $243
- Full Day Private Chauffeur and Transfer Services in Cape Town: $240
- 1 Day Helderberg Valley Winelands Tour with Private Transfers: $232
- Hermanus Wine Tour (Full Day Including Cape Town Transfers): $230
Is it cheaper to fly into Bonn or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Bonn 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 dayBonn €49Cape Town €39
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: $28
- 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: $71
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $76
- Private Cooking Class and Meal in Local Wynberg Cape Town Home: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bonn €34Cape Town €21
Tours and Activities in Bonn
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bonn.
- Autumn tours with a live guide: $20
- Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $121
- Bonn : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $52
- Bonn Crime-Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Bonn Musikerviertel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Bonn Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $223
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.58
- Bonn Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Bonn Self Guided City Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $7.31
- Bonn Walking Tour (In the footsteps of Ludwig Van Beethoven): $323
- Bonn and Bad Godesberg hop-on hop-off tour in a double-decker bus: $22
- 1.5-Hour River Cruise on the Rhine: $20
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Wineries Private Tour in Stellenbosch, Paarl Tasting Included: $137
- Bespoke Tour : Cape Point , Table Mountain & Penguin Colony : $257
- Cape Agulhas Full Day Private Tour: $192
- Cape Point Full Day Tour: $192
- Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope day tour Up to 10 persons: $66
- Cape Town - Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens and City Tour: $280
- Cape Town Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour: $30
- CapeWinelands Private Tour to Stellenbosch,Franschhoek and Paarl: $96
- Day Tour in Robben Island, Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain : $166
- Long Walk to Freedom in Robben Island including Ticket & Afrogem: $156
- Mandela's Robben Island Museum Bo-Kaap Cape Town City Tour + Ferry ticket f/d: $165
- Penguins Private Tour- Cape of Good Hope & Cape Point Tour from Cape Town: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBonn €23Cape Town €19
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: $7.13
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.60
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $24
- Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $25
- 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
- Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bonn and Cape Town, we can see that Bonn is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bonn 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 Bonn would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bonn 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 Bonn Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bonn or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Bonn 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 Bonn 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 Bonn has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Bonn or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bonn and Cape Town. The summer months attract visitors to Bonn because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Bonn is cooler than Cape Town. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bonn in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Cape Town averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during summer. Bonn gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bonn usually receives more rain than Cape Townin January. Bonn gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryBonn 19°C (66°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Cape Town in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bonn as well as Cape Town. The shopping scene are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.
In October, Bonn is generally cooler than Cape Townin April. Daily temperatures in Bonn average around 12°C (53°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. In the autumn, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin April. Bonn gets 109 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun.
Bonn usually gets more rain in October than Cape Townin April. Bonn gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilBonn 12°C (53°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Bonn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bonn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bonn. Bonn is much colder than Cape Town in the winter. The daily temperature in Bonn averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.
Bonn usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during winter. Bonn gets 45 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bonn usually receives less rain than Cape Townin July. Bonn gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyBonn 3°C (37°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Bonn or Cape Town in the Spring?
Both Cape Town and Bonn during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Bonn is much colder than Cape Town. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bonn in April average around 10°C (50°F), and Cape Town averages at about 16°C (61°F)in October.
In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Bonn often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin October. Bonn gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun.
Bonn usually gets more rain in April than Cape Townin October. Bonn gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberBonn 10°C (50°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Bonn
| Bonn | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (50°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (53°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (44°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.