Should I Visit Cape Town or Diani for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Cape Town or Diani?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cape Town or Diani? 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 Diani?

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.

Diani

Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.

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 Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.

Which place is cheaper, Diani or Cape Town?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Cape Town Prices
South Africa Prices

Diani Prices
Kenya Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Cape Town $124

Diani $69

The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $124, while the average daily cost in Diani is $69. 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 Diani in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Cape Town $37

Diani $23
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Cape Town $74

Diani $46

Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Diani

Looking for a hotel in Cape Town or Diani? 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 Diani Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Cape Town $17

Diani $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

West Coast Wonders Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $175
VIP Airport Transfer: $82
Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cape Town HTL-APT(CPT): $44
Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $18
Transfer to Cape Agulhas - Where Two Oceans Meet From Cape Town : $180
Transfer from Cape Town City Center to Cape Town Airport: $17
Transfer To Safari- Aquila From Cape Town Excluding Entry Fees Full Day: $137
Tastes of Stellenbosch Wine Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $219
Table Mountain Luxury Escape with Transfers - Cape Town: $150
Table Mountain Cable Car Ticket with Transfer: $80
Shark Diving Full Day Guided Return Transfer to Gansbaai from Cape Town: $148
Shared Transfers to and from Safari Game Reserve (excluding entrance fees): $84

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani

Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Private transfer to Diani Beach from Mombasa: $65
Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $68
From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $65
Taxi and Airport transfers: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Diani?

Prices for flights to both Diani 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

Food Meals for one day

Cape Town $70

Diani $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: $40
Malay Cooking Class and Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $43
Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $55
Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $59
Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $61
Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $61
African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $75
South African Cooking in Cape Town with Local Chef Richard: $76
South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
Cape Malay Dinner at SPYCED: $90
Private Authentic Cape Malay Cooking Class in Manenberg with Locals: $92
Private Street Food Tour of Cape Town with Local Guide: $94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani

For Diani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Romantic Dinner With Transfer.: $34
Diani Beach: Special Dinner with a Local: $50
A ROMANTIC BEACH BONFIRE DINNER SET UP: $75

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Cape Town $22

Diani $15

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

Best of the Cape Tour - Cape Peninsular and Winelands: $265
Cape Peninsula &Penguin Sightseeing in Private Car Full Day Tour: $246
Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope day tour Up to 10 persons: $66
Cape Town - Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens and City Tour: $300
Cape Town Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour: $30
Cape Winelands From Cape Town Private Day Tour: $154
Cape of Good Hope T Mountain Bo-Kaap Penguins Private +Tickets : $243
Cape of good hope and penguins small group Tours: $252
Day Tour in Robben Island, Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain : $164
Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-On Hop-Off Tour from Cape Town.: $128
Guided Private Historical City Tour in Cape Town : $191
Long March to Freedom & Robben island Private Tour inclusive: $208

Tours and Activities in Diani

For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

1 day Shimba Hills Tour: $185
Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $28
Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $35
Diani Beach: Glass Boat Cruise to Robinson Island: $42
Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
Diani Beach: Kongo River Estuary Sundowner Boat Tour: $42
Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
Diani Beach: Village tour on a bike with hotel pick-up: $64
Diani bush tour: $75
Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $27
Kisite Private Boat Tour with Snorkeling and Lunch: $120
Market and Street Food Walking Tour: $20

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Cape Town $20

Diani $8.89

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:

African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $19
Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $26
From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $40
Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $41
half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $47
Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $48
Fullday Wine Tour: $51
From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $51
Private Constantia Wine Tour: $59
Full Day Wine Tour Stellenbosch and Franschhoek: $67
Wine tasting tour : $68
Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Wine Tram: $69

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Town and Diani, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Diani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Diani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Diani 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 Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town than you might in Diani.

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 Diani Expensive?.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cape Town vs. Diani for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cape Town or Diani?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Cape Town or Diani?

Cape Town

Diani

Which place is cheaper, Diani or Cape Town?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Diani

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani

Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Diani?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

Tours and Activities in Diani

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town

Related Articles for Cape Town

Related Articles for Diani

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cape Town vs. Diani for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cape Town or Diani?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Cape Town or Diani?

Cape Town

Diani

Which place is cheaper, Diani or Cape Town?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Diani

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani

Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Diani?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

Tours and Activities in Diani

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town

Related Articles for Cape Town

Related Articles for Diani

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