Which place is cheaper, Boston or Cape Town?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cape Town or Boston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cape Town or Boston? 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 Boston?
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.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCape Town $98Boston $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $98, while the average daily cost in Boston is $255. 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 Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCape Town $39Boston $166
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCape Town $78Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Cape Town or Boston? 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 Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cape Town $17Boston $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers: $11
- Private Airport Transfers in Cape Town- One way/Round Trips: $16
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Exclusive Cape Town Airport and Cruise Terminal Transfers: $18
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $18
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Muizenberg Cape Town : $18
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $18
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Constantia: $18
- Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $18
- 24 hour Private Airport Shuttle and Transfer CBD: $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Downtown to Boston Airport (BOS): $69
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown: $69
- Round trip transfer in private vehicle from Boston downtown-to the Airport (BOS): $138
- Round trip Airport Transfer: Logan - Boston: $300
- Private transfer: Boston to Boston Airport (BOS): $96
- Private Transfer: between Manhattan and Boston: $968
- Private Transfer in Boston (BOS) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work : $160
- Private Transfer from Boston to Flynn Cruiseport Boston: $116
- Private Transfer from Boston City to Boston (BOS) Airport: $103
- Private Transfer from Boston City Hotels to Newport Cruise Port: $88
- Private Transfer from Boston (BOS) Airport to Boston City: $103
- Private Transfer between Boston Logan Airport and Boston City: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston 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 $42Boston $49
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $75
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $89
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $89
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
- Local Gems of the South End Neighborhood Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cape Town $23Boston $33
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- "Ghosts of Boston" Walking Ghost Tour: $25
- "Witch Trials" Walking Tour in Salem: $25
- 1 If By Land Walking Tours: History Walking Tour of Boston: $45
- 1 or 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with Harbor Cruise Option: $46
- 1-Day Tour to Portland-Maine from Boston: $175
- 1692 Salem Day Tour: $32
- 1692 Salem Night Walking Tour: $32
- 2 Hour North End 'Little Italy' Walking Tour : $35
- 2-Hour Beacon Hill True Crime Expert Guided Tour: $35
- 90-Minute Boston Harbor Sunset Sightseeing Cruise: $43
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $425
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $216
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCape Town $21Boston $27
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 Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Boston Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Town and Boston, we can see that Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cape Town or Boston?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Cape Town and Boston, 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 Boston?
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 Boston has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Cape Town or Boston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cape Town as well as Boston. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Cape Town is generally around the same temperature as Bostonin July. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 21°C (70°F), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In the summer, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Bostonin July. Cape Town gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets less rain in January than Bostonin July. Cape Town gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyCape Town 21°C (70°F)Boston 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Boston in the Autumn?
Both Boston and Cape Town are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
Cape Town is a little warmer than Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Boston during autumn. Cape Town gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Bostonin October. Cape Town gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberCape Town 18°C (64°F)Boston 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Boston in the Winter?
Both Boston and Cape Town during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Boston. In the winter, Cape Town is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cape Town in July average around 13°C (55°F), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C)in January.
In the winter, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Bostonin January. Cape Town gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bostonin January. Cape Town gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCape Town 13°C (55°F)Boston 29°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Boston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Town and Boston. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In October, Cape Town is generally much warmer than Bostonin April. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 16°C (61°F), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Boston during spring. Cape Town gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Bostonin April. Cape Town gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Boston 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)Boston 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Boston and Cape Town
| Cape Town | Boston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 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.