Which place is cheaper, Dallas or Cape Town?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cape Town or Dallas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cape Town or Dallas? 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 Dallas?
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.
Dallas
Located in the north central part of the state, Dallas is a prominent city in Texas and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the United States of America. The business reputation of Dallas rose from its historical status as the center for cotton and oil industries. It was also positioned among numerous railroads.
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 $98Dallas $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $98, while the average daily cost in Dallas is $141. 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 Dallas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCape Town $39Dallas $84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCape Town $78Dallas $168
Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Dallas
Looking for a hotel in Cape Town or Dallas? 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 Dallas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cape Town $17Dallas $28
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:
- Transfer private executive car from Dallas Airport (DFW)- City Center: $60
- Transfer in private minivan from Dallas City Center - Dallas Airport (DFW): $69
- Transfer in private minivan from Dallas City Center - Dallas Airport (DAL): $91
- Transfer in private minivan from Dallas Airport (DFW) - City Center: $69
- Transfer in executive private car from Dallas City Center - Dallas Airport (DAL): $71
- RoundtripTransfer Executive Private Car Dallas Airport (DFW) -Dallas City Center: $120
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Dallas Airport (DFW) - Dallas City Center: $138
- Private Transfer from Dallas to Dallas Airport DFW in Business Car: $101
- Private Transfer from Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Luxury Van: $126
- Private Transfer from Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Luxury SUV: $126
- Private Transfer from Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Business Car: $104
- Private Transfer Fort Worth Airport DFW to Downtown Fort Worth by Luxury Vehicle: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Dallas?
Prices for flights to both Dallas 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 $42Dallas $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:
- 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 Dallas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:
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Cowboys Stadium Tour (for 2)$55
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Whataburger Lunch (family of 4)$21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dallas.
- West Village Happy Hour Food Tour: $39
- Dallas Secret Food Tour: $98
- Secret Food Tour of Dallas with Private Tour Option: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cape Town $23Dallas $13
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 Dallas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:
- 2 Hour Dallas Night Sightseeing E-Scooter Tour: $90
- Private Walking Tour of Dealey Plaza Assassination of JFK: $135
- 1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour: $28
- 1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour : $28
- 2-Hour Historic Dallas Segway Tour: $79
- 3-Hour Ropes Course & Zip Line Adventure : $60
- 3hr Dallas Cowboys Stadium Small Group Tour with Transportation: $108
- Combination Southfork Ranch and Dallas/JFK Highlights Tour: $145
- Dallas Highlights Tour: $205
- Dallas Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate: $114
- Dallas Terrors Ghost Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Dallas and Cowboys Stadium Combo Tour: $153
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCape Town $21Dallas $12
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 Dallas
Also in Dallas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55
- Dallas Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum: $55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Town and Dallas, we can see that Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dallas 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 Dallas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cape Town or Dallas?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dallas. When comparing the sizes of Cape Town and Dallas, 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 Dallas?
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 Dallas has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Cape Town or Dallas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cape Town as well as Dallas. Also, many travelers come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Cape Town is cooler than Dallas in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In the summer, Cape Town often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dallasin July. Cape Town gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets less rain in January than Dallasin July. Cape Town gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyCape Town 21°C (70°F)Dallas 88°F (31°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Dallas in the Autumn?
Both Dallas and Cape Town are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Cape Town is cooler than Dallas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Town in April average around 18°C (64°F), and Dallas averages at about 69°F (21°C)in October.
It's quite sunny in Dallas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. Cape Town usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during autumn. Cape Town gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Dallasin October. Cape Town gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberCape Town 18°C (64°F)Dallas 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Dallas in the Winter?
Both Dallas and Cape Town during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In July, Cape Town is generally much warmer than Dallasin January. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 13°C (55°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
In the winter, Cape Town often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dallasin January. Cape Town gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets more rain in July than Dallasin January. Cape Town gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCape Town 13°C (55°F)Dallas 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Dallas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Town and Dallas. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Dallas because of the activities around the city.
Cape Town is cooler than Dallas in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Dallas during spring. Cape Town gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Dallasin April. Cape Town gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilCape Town 16°C (61°F)Dallas 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Dallas and Cape Town
| Cape Town | Dallas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 88°F (31°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Nov | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 1.9 inches (48 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.