Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Canberra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Canberra or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Canberra 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: Canberra or Cape Town?
Canberra
There is something special about the capital city of Australia. Canberra's not just a wonderful spot for outdoor adventures. It's a city completely designed and built up around the coast of an artificial lake. When architects Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin proposed their plans for Canberra it was met with a lot of criticism. Many people thought it would be a "waste of a good sheep pasture."
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 Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCanberra $135Cape Town $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Canberra is $135, 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 Canberra and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCanberra $83Cape Town $39
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCanberra $166Cape Town $78
Compare Hotels in Canberra and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Canberra 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: Canberra Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Canberra $25Cape Town $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Canberra
Also for Canberra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Canberra city hotels to Eden Cruise Port: $82
- Private Transfer from Canberra Airport CBR to Eden Cruise Port : $82
- Guided Tour of Floriade Festival with Transfers: $118
- Canberra to Canberra Int Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra Int'l Airport to Canberra - Arrival Private Transfer: $34
- Canberra Airport (CBR) to Canberra - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whale Watching In Hermanus with Private Transfer: $250
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cape Town HTL-APT(CPT): $44
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cape Town APT-HTL(CPT): $44
- Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $18
- Transfer To Safari- Aquila From Cape Town Excluding Entry Fees Full Day: $159
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Simonstown to Cape Town Airport: $26
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Shopping Mall Transfers: $22
- Shark Cage Diving: Full Day Tour Transfer: $97
- Shared Transfers to and from Safari Game Reserve (excluding entrance fees): $85
- Shared Transfer to Cape Agulhas - Where The Two Oceans Meet From Cape Town F/Day: $183
Is it cheaper to fly into Canberra or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Canberra 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 dayCanberra $35Cape Town $42
Typical Food Prices in Canberra
For Canberra, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch$17
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Canberra $17Cape Town $23
Tours and Activities in Canberra
For Canberra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour in Canberra: $30
- Australian Institute of Sport: The AIS Tour: $14
- Best of Wildlife and Birds Tour: $98
- Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily: $13
- Canberra Floriade Tour: $118
- Canberra Small Group Winery Tour: $149
- Beer, Wine, and Spirits Tasting Tour: $112
- Best of Wildlife Tour: $89
- City Highlights Day Tour with Entrance Fees: $118
- Capital Christmas: Private Festive Tour in Canberra: $646
- Discover Canberra’s Heritage: A Full-Day Private Tour: $870
- Discover Pearls of Canberra - Private Walking Tour: $133
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCanberra $16Cape Town $21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Canberra
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Canberra from other travelers:
-
Drinks at a Bar$9.25
Sample the Local Flavors in Canberra
Also in Canberra, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Canberra Brewery and Beer Tour in 3 Hours: $99
- Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour: $112
- Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $122
- CanBEERa Explorer: Capital Brewery Full-Day Tour: $123
- From Winery, Distillery, & Tasting Tour with Lunch: $149
- Canberra Wine Tour: $158
- Full-Day Canberra Brewery, Wineries & Distillery tour /w lunch: $162
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 Canberra and Cape Town, we can see that Canberra is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Canberra is in Pacific 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 Canberra would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Canberra 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 Canberra Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Canberra or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra 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 Canberra or Cape Town?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Canberra or Cape Town in the Summer?
Both Cape Town and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Canberra because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Canberra is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In January, Canberra usually receives more rain than Cape Town. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryCanberra 20°C (68°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Canberra during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene are the main draw to Canberra this time of year.
In the autumn, Canberra is around the same temperature as Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Canberra in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. Canberra usually gets more rain in April than Cape Town. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures AprilCanberra 17°C (63°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Cape Town in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Cape Town. Many travelers come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In July, Canberra is generally cooler than Cape Town. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 11°C (52°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In July, Canberra usually receives less rain than Cape Town. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JulyCanberra 11°C (52°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Canberra or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Cape Town. Many visitors come to Canberra in the spring for the activities around the city.
Canberra is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 15°C (60°F) in October, and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Canberra usually gets more rain in October than Cape Town. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures OctoberCanberra 15°C (60°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Canberra
| Canberra | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (67°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (58°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (53°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (60°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.