Which place is cheaper, Port-of-Spain or Cape Town?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cape Town or Port-of-Spain?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cape Town or Port-of-Spain? 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 Port-of-Spain?
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.
Port-of-Spain
Located on the northwest coast of Trinidad island, Port of Spain is the capital of the Caribbean island nation Trinidad & Tobago. It is a hub of activity, especially during the celebration of Carnival for which the island nation is famous.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCape Town $98Port-of-Spain $174
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $98, while the average daily cost in Port-of-Spain is $174. 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 Port-of-Spain in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCape Town $39Port-of-Spain $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCape Town $78Port-of-Spain $160
Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Port-of-Spain
Looking for a hotel in Cape Town or Port-of-Spain? 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 Port-of-Spain Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cape Town $17Port-of-Spain $49
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Port-of-Spain?
Prices for flights to both Port-of-Spain 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 $42Port-of-Spain $54
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cape Town $23Port-of-Spain $59
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCape Town $21Port-of-Spain $22
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Town and Port-of-Spain, we can see that Port-of-Spain 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 Port-of-Spain is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Port-of-Spain would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Port-of-Spain 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 Port-of-Spain Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cape Town or Port-of-Spain?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Port-of-Spain. When comparing the sizes of Cape Town and Port-of-Spain, 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 Port-of-Spain?
Cape Town has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Port-of-Spain experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Cape Town or Port-of-Spain in the Summer?
Both Port-of-Spain and Cape Town during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Port-of-Spain year-round.
In the summer, Cape Town is cooler than Port-of-Spain. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cape Town in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Port-of-Spain averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.
In Port-of-Spain, 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 Port-of-Spainin July. Cape Town gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Port-of-Spain receives 206 hours of full sun.
Port-of-Spain gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cape Town usually gets less rain in January than Port-of-Spainin July. Cape Town gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Port-of-Spain receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyCape Town 21°C (70°F)Port-of-Spain 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cape Town or Port-of-Spain in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Town and Port-of-Spain. Port-of-Spain attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Cape Town is generally much colder than Port-of-Spainin October. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 18°C (64°F), and Port-of-Spain fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Port-of-Spain this time of the year. In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Port-of-Spain during autumn. Cape Town gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Port-of-Spain receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Port-of-Spain receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Port-of-Spainin October. Cape Town gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Port-of-Spain receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberCape Town 18°C (64°F)Port-of-Spain 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cape Town or Port-of-Spain in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Cape Town as well as Port-of-Spain. The warm climate attracts visitors to Port-of-Spain throughout the year.
Cape Town is much colder than Port-of-Spain in the winter. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 13°C (55°F) in July, and Port-of-Spain fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Port-of-Spain. In the winter, Cape Town often gets less sunshine than Port-of-Spainin January. Cape Town gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Port-of-Spain receives 241 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets more rain in July than Port-of-Spainin January. Cape Town gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Port-of-Spain receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCape Town 13°C (55°F)Port-of-Spain 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Cape Town or Port-of-Spain in the Spring?
Both Port-of-Spain and Cape Town are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Port-of-Spain because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Cape Town is much colder than Port-of-Spain. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cape Town in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Port-of-Spain averages at about 27°C (81°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Port-of-Spain. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Port-of-Spain during spring. Cape Town gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Port-of-Spain receives 238 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Port-of-Spainin April. Cape Town gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Port-of-Spain receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilCape Town 16°C (61°F)Port-of-Spain 27°C (81°F)
Typical Weather for Port-of-Spain and Cape Town
| Cape Town | Port-of-Spain | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 252 mm (9.9 in) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 225 mm (8.9 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 203 mm (8 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
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.