Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Bordeaux?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bordeaux or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bordeaux 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: Bordeaux or Cape Town?
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the place to go for fine wines. It's a very mellow, cultural city where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a quaint cafe or restaurant without being rushed. The city is the capital of Gironde, and the entire metropolitan area has over one million residents. The city also has a rather large and vibrant university and the population is known to be very tolerant and liberal. There is a very strong artistic vibe in the city and, due to it's history of English rule, there is an English flair to the area. The large student population means that there is no shortage of opportunities to see shows, hear music, or visit a museum.
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 from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
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Bordeaux Prices
France PricesCape Town Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBordeaux €156Cape Town €147
The average daily cost (per person) in Bordeaux is €156, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is €147. 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 Bordeaux and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBordeaux €63Cape Town €68
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBordeaux €126Cape Town €136
Compare Hotels in Bordeaux and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Bordeaux 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: Bordeaux Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bordeaux €15Cape Town €15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bordeaux
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:
- Private Transfer from Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport: $155
- Private Transfer from Bordeaux Airport to City of Bordeaux: $189
- Departure Private Transfers : Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
- Private Transfer Service: $113
- Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Van Business: $247
- Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Premium Class: $155
- Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Business Sedan: $114
- Bordeaux airport transfer To All hotel & airbnb downtown : $195
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Car: $143
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Business Car: $102
- Bordeaux : Private transfer to/from Mérignac Airport: $101
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers To Hermanus: $225
- Cape Town International Airport Private Affordable Transfers: $53
- Airport transfers: $22
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $55
- 1-3 Passenger Private Cape Town - Airport Transfer: $28
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $20
- Airport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Cape Town City Center : $17
- Airport Transfer ( Cape Town): $39
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town): $55
- Airport Transfer: Cape Town Airport CPT to Cape Town in Luxury Car: $102
- Airport Transfer: Cape Town to Cape Town Airport CPT in Luxury Car: $101
- Airport Transfers: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Bordeaux or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Bordeaux 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 dayBordeaux €79Cape Town €63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bordeaux
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bordeaux.
- Bordeaux food tour: sweet specialities & highlights: $25
- Chocolate & Pastries Food Tour | 6+ Tastings: $36
- Bordeaux : Afternoon Food Tour with local delicacies: $62
- Bordeaux - sweet food tour of the old city: $62
- Bordeaux Best Boulangeries Food Tour - Semi Private - Max 8 Ppl: $63
- No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Les Chartrons !: $70
- Sweet Morning Food Tour with Wine and Cheese: $73
- 2-Hour River Dinner Cruise: $78
- Organic : Bordeaux Food Tour: $112
- Bordeaux Food Tour – A Full French Meal by Do Eat Better: $120
- 3.5-Hour Old Town and Market Food Tour: $124
- Bordeaux Traditional Gourmet Walking Food Tour: $126
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:
- African Cooking with a Chef Founder: $29
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $41
- Malay Cooking Class and Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $44
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $56
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $60
- Sunset At Signal Hill Constantia Wine Tasting and Dinner: $62
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $62
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $63
- Taste of African Food Tour with a Local Guide: $66
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $70
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $71
- Cape Malay Dinner at SPYCED: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bordeaux €22Cape Town €20
Tours and Activities in Bordeaux
Here are a few actual costs in Bordeaux for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Bordeaux by bicycle: a 3-hour tour immersive experience": $46
- Free Walking Bordeaux Tour Tip based English tour: $1.72
- 2-Hour Walking Tour of the City’s Iconic Sights and History: $17
- Aperitive guided cruise « Wine and Canelé »: $21
- Blind Tasting: 5 Bordeaux Natural Wine + Cheese experience: $57
- Bordeaux : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $28
- Bordeaux : Private Highlights Bike Tour With A Guide: $138
- Bordeaux Awakens Private Sunrise Serenity Morning Tour: $160
- Bordeaux Dark History and True Crime Walking Tour: $19
- Bordeaux Deluxe Gourmet Tour : $126
- Bordeaux Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.16
- Bordeaux Farmers Market Tour and Gourmet River Cruise: $155
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Tour of Top 5 Stellenbosch Wineries From Cape Town: $2.53
- Cape Peninsula Sightseeing Small Group Tour from Cape Town: $2.53
- Cape Peninsula Half Day Tour From Cape Town Travel Choice Award: $2.53
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.67
- 30 Minute Harbour Boat Cruise with Seal Watching: $3.81
- Half Hour Seal and Harbour Cruise from Cape Town: $3.93
- District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $4.00
- 30 Minute Seal-Watching Harbour Cruise: $4.00
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.45
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.48
- Cape Town 30-minute V&A Harbour Cruise: $4.77
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBordeaux €26Cape Town €18
Sample the Local Flavors in Bordeaux
Also in Bordeaux, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting: $14
- Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting: $14
- Pub Crawl Drink, Laugh, Meet the World: $15
- Château Olivier: One Hour Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting: $21
- Cité du Vin Entry Ticket and Wine Tasting: $25
- Taillan-Médoc: Château Visit and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: $28
- Pub Crawl Bordeaux : Drink, Laugh, Meet the World: $29
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $31
- Unusual wine tasting in DARWIN (Bordeaux)!: $32
- Discover Bordeaux vineyard : special wine tasting with two cellar men brothers: $33
- Blind wine tasting - discover wine differently: $40
- Chateau du Taillan and Park including Wine Tasting Tour: $46
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:
- Whale Watching Wine Tasting and Penguins From Cape Town - Private Tour: $2.53
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $13
- Deep South Distillery Gin Tasting Experience: $13
- Craft Gin Tasting Experience and Distillery Tour: $14
- Indigenous Food and Wine Tasting: $25
- Cape Town Hostel Pub Crawl & LinkUps: $28
- Wine Tour at Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl: $36
- Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Babylonstoren Wine Tour: $37
- Stellenbosch and Paarl Half-Day Wine Tour: $38
- Private Cape Town Wine Tour 3 Tastings, Lunch and Expert Guide: $41
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $41
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $42
When comparing the travel costs between Bordeaux and Cape Town, we can see that Bordeaux is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Bordeaux is in Europe and Cape Town is in Africa, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bordeaux Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Bordeaux or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Cape Town. The summer months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Bordeaux is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 21°C (69°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. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bordeaux this time of the year. In the summer, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin January. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.
Bordeaux usually gets more rain in July than Cape Townin January. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 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 JanuaryBordeaux 21°C (69°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.
In the autumn, Bordeaux is cooler than Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bordeaux in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. Bordeaux usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during autumn. Bordeaux gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Cape Townin April. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 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 AprilBordeaux 14°C (58°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Bordeaux during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Bordeaux is generally much colder than Cape Townin July. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 6°C (43°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin July. Bordeaux gets 86 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 Bordeaux. Bordeaux usually gets more rain in January than Cape Townin July. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 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 JulyBordeaux 6°C (43°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Cape Town. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Bordeaux is cooler than Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 12°C (53°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. Bordeaux usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during spring. Bordeaux gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Cape Townin October. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 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 OctoberBordeaux 12°C (53°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Bordeaux
| Bordeaux | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 99 mm (3.9 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.