Which place is cheaper, Austin or Cape Town?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cape Town or Austin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cape Town or Austin? 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: Cape Town or Austin?
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.
Austin
Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCape Town $98Austin $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $98, while the average daily cost in Austin is $142. 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 Cape Town and Austin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCape Town $39Austin $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCape Town $78Austin $112
Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Austin
Looking for a hotel in Cape Town or Austin? 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 and Austin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cape Town $17Austin $47
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
- Private Transfer Between Airport and Hotels: $80
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $96
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Austin International Airport (AUS) - Private Round trip transfer: $215
- Austin Airport Group Pickup / Transfer up to 1 hour away.: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Austin?
Prices for flights to both Austin and Cape Town 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 dayCape Town $42Austin $35
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
- Devour Downtown Austin Walking Food Tour: $80
- Famous Texas BBQ & Food Tour in Austin: $89
- Famous Texas BBQ & Food Tour in Austin: $89
- Austin South Congress Walking Food Tour for Small Groups: $95
- Secret Food Tour: $98
- Austin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- Secret Food Tour of South Congress: $108
- The Brunch Bus: Food Tour with a Live Band on Board the Bus!: $125
- Private Guided Food Tour of Austin Neighborhoods: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cape Town $23Austin $28
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Austin Duck Tour$31
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Austin Glass Bottom Kayak Tour with Olympian: $50
- Afternoon in Austin Segway Tour: $99
- Austin Art & Architecture Bicycle Tour: $56
- Austin Art and Architecture Bicycle Tour: $56
- Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Tour: $90
- Austin Boat Tour with Full Sun Shading Available: $84
- Austin Breakfast Taco Tour: $85
- Austin E-Bike Brunch Tour : $118
- Austin E-Bike Foodie Tour : $128
- Austin Electric Bike Tour: Let it Ride: $70
- Austin Family Explorer Private Magical Urban Adventure Tour: $232
- Austin Family Explorer: A Magical Urban Adventure: $455
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCape Town $21Austin $28
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
- Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl: $12
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Downtown Austin Live Music Pub Crawl: $35
- Downtown Live Music Pub Crawl: $35
- Public Pedal Pub Tour in Austin: $39
- Austin Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $41
- Half-Day Hill Country Brewery and Distillery Shuttle from Austin: $65
- From Texas Hill Country Brewery & Distillery Shuttle: $65
- Private Austin Brewery Tour by Pedicab with All-Inclusive Beer Flight Option: $70
- 4-Hour Austin Signature Brewery Tour: $100
- The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Town and Austin, we can see that Austin is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cape Town is in Africa and Austin is in North America, 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 Austin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Austin 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 Cape Town Expensive? and Is Austin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cape Town or Austin?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Austin. When comparing the sizes of Cape Town and Austin, 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 Cape Town or Austin?
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 Austin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Cape Town or Austin in the Summer?
Both Austin and Cape Town during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Austin in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Cape Town is generally cooler than Austinin July. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 21°C (70°F), and Austin fluctuates around 87°F (30°C).
In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cape Town. In the summer, Cape Town often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Austinin July. Cape Town gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets less rain in January than Austinin July. Cape Town gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyCape Town 21°C (70°F)Austin 87°F (30°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Austin in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Town and Austin. Also, most visitors come to Austin for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Cape Town is cooler than Austin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Austin fluctuates around 73°F (23°C)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Austin during autumn. Cape Town gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Austinin October. Cape Town gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberCape Town 18°C (64°F)Austin 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Austin in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cape Town as well as Austin. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Austin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Cape Town is a little warmer than Austin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cape Town in July average around 13°C (55°F), and Austin averages at about 51°F (11°C)in January.
In the winter, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Austinin January. Cape Town gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets more rain in July than Austinin January. Cape Town gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCape Town 13°C (55°F)Austin 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Austin in the Spring?
Both Austin and Cape Town are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Austin this time of year.
In October, Cape Town is generally cooler than Austinin April. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 16°C (61°F), and Austin fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
It's quite sunny in Austin. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Austin during spring. Cape Town gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Austinin April. Cape Town gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilCape Town 16°C (61°F)Austin 71°F (22°C)
Typical Weather for Austin and Cape Town
| Cape Town | Austin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Apr | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 87°F (30°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
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.