Which place is cheaper, Baltimore or Cape Town?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cape Town or Baltimore?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cape Town or Baltimore? 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 Baltimore?
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.
Baltimore
Baltimore is a large, industrial city and popular tourist destination in the state of Maryland. It is about an hour outside of Washington, D.C. and is a hub of tourism and entertainment for the area. It has a vibrant nightlife, comfortable climate, and is a great place to visit when you're in the area. The city proper has a population of about 600,000 and the metropolitan area has 2.7 million. Its economy is centered around science, technology, engineering and math and it has many undergraduate and graduate schools including the world renowned Johns Hopkins University.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCape Town $98Baltimore $184
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $98, while the average daily cost in Baltimore is $184. 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 Baltimore in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCape Town $39Baltimore $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCape Town $78Baltimore $186
Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Baltimore
Looking for a hotel in Cape Town or Baltimore? 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 Baltimore Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cape Town $17Baltimore $21
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: $178
- 1 Day Explore Cape Town Like a Local with Private Guided Transfer: $149
- 1 Day Helderberg Valley Winelands Tour with Private Transfers: $232
- 1 Day Hemel en Aarde Whale Coast Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $205
- 1 Day Tastes of Stellenbosch Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $220
- 1 Day West Coast Wonders Tour with Private Transfers: $177
- 1 Day Wine Lover Wander Connoisseur Tour with Private Transfers: $180
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $54
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $17
- AIRPORT Transfer to and from Cape Town City: $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Baltimore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Baltimore:
- Private transfer To or Form Bethesda and Dulles International Airport: $209
- Private Arrival Transfer from Baltimore Washington Airport BWI: $60
- Oakland to San Francisco Airport (SFO)-Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Departure Private Transfer Baltimore to Baltimore Airport BWI - Business Vehicle: $111
- Private Transfer to BWI or Washington DC/Airports: $160
- Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Baltimore City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $63
- BWI Airport: Transfer to Baltimore or Washington DC: $150
- Arrival Private Transfer Baltimore Airport BWI to Baltimore by Business Vehicle: $111
- Airport transfer to or from Silver Spring, MD & Reagan Airport(DCA): $200
- Airport Transfer Baltimore/Washington International Airport BWI to Washington,DC: $240
- Airport Transfer BWI Airport to Baltimore Downtown Area Only: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Baltimore?
Prices for flights to both Baltimore 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 $42Baltimore $46
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
Typical Food Prices in Baltimore
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Baltimore:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2) in Fells Point$76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Baltimore
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Baltimore.
- Federal Hill Food Tour: $71
- Little Italy and Jonestown Food Tour: $73
- Fells Point Food Tour in Baltimore: $74
- Inner Harbor Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner: $76
- Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $84
- Christmas Day Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $84
- Baltimore Signature Dinner Cruise: $101
- Baltimore Buffet Dinner/Dance Cruise of the Inner Harbor: $119
- Baltimore Father's Day Buffet Dinner Cruise : $126
- Baltimore New Year's Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise: $251
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cape Town $23Baltimore $18
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: $3.60
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- Cape Town 30-minute V&A Harbour Cruise: $4.15
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.15
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.35
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.35
- 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
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: Amble along the amazing False Bay Coast on an audio tour: $5.20
Tours and Activities in Baltimore
Here are a few actual costs in Baltimore for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Antietam National Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Assateague Island Cruise Departs from Ocean Pines: $45
- Baltimore Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Baltimore Father's Day Buffet Brunch Cruise Tour: $105
- Baltimore Ghosts By US Ghost Adventures: $24
- Baltimore Harbor Tour: $28
- Baltimore Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate: $92
- Baltimore Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Baltimore Signature Lunch Cruise: $76
- Baltimore Walking Foodie Tour in Fells Point: $99
- Baltimore's Cruise ship Tour-shuttle service: $25
- Baltimore's Historical Sightseeing Tour: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCape Town $21Baltimore $17
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Baltimore
Also in Baltimore, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Original Fells Point Haunted Pub Tour by Baltimore Ghost Tours: $33
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- From Patapsco Region Wine Tour with Lunch: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Town and Baltimore, we can see that Baltimore 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Baltimore 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 Baltimore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cape Town or Baltimore?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Baltimore. When comparing the sizes of Cape Town and Baltimore, 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 Baltimore?
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 Baltimore has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Cape Town or Baltimore in the Summer?
Both Baltimore and Cape Town during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Baltimore for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Cape Town is cooler than Baltimore in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Baltimore fluctuates around 78°F (25°C)in July.
In Baltimore, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cape Town. In the summer, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Baltimorein July. Cape Town gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun.
Baltimore gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cape Town usually gets less rain in January than Baltimorein July. Cape Town gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyCape Town 21°C (70°F)Baltimore 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Baltimore in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Town and Baltimore. Furthermore, many visitors come to Baltimore in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Cape Town is a little warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Town in April average around 18°C (64°F), and Baltimore averages at about 57°F (14°C)in October.
In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Baltimore during autumn. Cape Town gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Baltimorein October. Cape Town gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberCape Town 18°C (64°F)Baltimore 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Baltimore in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cape Town as well as Baltimore. Additionally, most visitors come to Baltimore for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Baltimore can be very cold during winter. In July, Cape Town is generally much warmer than Baltimorein January. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 13°C (55°F), and Baltimore fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
In the winter, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Baltimorein January. Cape Town gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets more rain in July than Baltimorein January. Cape Town gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCape Town 13°C (55°F)Baltimore 32°F (0°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Baltimore in the Spring?
Both Baltimore and Cape Town are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the activities around the city.
Cape Town is a little warmer than Baltimore in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Baltimore fluctuates around 54°F (12°C)in April.
It's quite sunny in Baltimore. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Baltimore during spring. Cape Town gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Baltimorein April. Cape Town gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilCape Town 16°C (61°F)Baltimore 54°F (12°C)
Typical Weather for Baltimore and Cape Town
| Cape Town | Baltimore | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 32°F (0°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Apr | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Nov | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.