Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik or Cape Town?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Cape Town or Reykjavik?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cape Town or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik?
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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCape Town $98Reykjavik $246
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $98, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $246. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCape Town $39Reykjavik $139
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCape Town $78Reykjavik $278
Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Cape Town or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cape Town $17Reykjavik $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whale Watching In Hermanus with Private Transfer: $250
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cape Town HTL-APT(CPT): $44
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cape Town APT-HTL(CPT): $44
- Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $18
- Transfer To Safari- Aquila From Cape Town Excluding Entry Fees Full Day: $159
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Simonstown to Cape Town Airport: $26
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Shopping Mall Transfers: $22
- Shark Cage Diving: Full Day Tour Transfer: $97
- Shared Transfers to and from Safari Game Reserve (excluding entrance fees): $85
- Shared Transfer to Cape Agulhas - Where The Two Oceans Meet From Cape Town F/Day: $183
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- To/from Blue Lagoon Private Transfer in Iceland: $160
- The Blue Lagoon Comfort Package Including Transfer from Reykjavik: $167
- Sky Lagoon Entry with 7-Step Ritual and Transfers from Reykjavik: $115
- Skarfabakki Cruise Port to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Departure Private Transfer: $92
- Skarfabakki Cruise Port Transfers To/From Keflavik Airport.: $161
- Skálafell to Reykjavik Airport (RKV) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Sky Lagoon Admission with Transfer: $125
- Roundtrip Bus Transfer to the Blue Lagoon: $45
- Private Transfer to/from Keflavík Airport: $169
- Private Luxury Airport Transfer Service: $280
- Private Airport Transfer - RVK to KEF: $54
- Private Airport Transfer: $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 dayCape Town $42Reykjavik $30
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 Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Dinner (Fish Market)$178
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Exclusive dinner with a local family - Visit a Reykjavík home: $98
- Icelandic Food Tour: $124
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $128
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $142
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $145
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $209
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cape Town $23Reykjavik $72
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Wineries Private Tour in Stellenbosch, Paarl Tasting Included: $137
- Cape Agulhas Full Day Private Tour: $192
- Cape Point Full Day Tour: $192
- Cape Point Private Tour withTable Mountain and Penguin Colony : $257
- Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope day tour Up to 10 persons: $66
- Cape Town - Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens and City Tour: $280
- Cape Town Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour: $30
- CapeWinelands Private Tour to Stellenbosch,Franschhoek and Paarl: $96
- Day Tour in Robben Island, Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain : $166
- Long Walk to Freedom in Robben Island including Ticket & Afrogem: $156
- Mandela's Robben Island Museum Bo-Kaap Cape Town City Tour + Ferry ticket f/d: $165
- Penguins Private Tour- Cape of Good Hope & Cape Point Tour from Cape Town: $114
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Art Museum$11
-
Wine and Spa$29
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- #1 Northern Lights Tour In Iceland from Reykjavik with PRO photos: $145
- 1 hour Reykjavík E Scooter Adventure: $66
- 1 hour Reykjavík E-Scooter Adventure: $64
- 1-Hour ATV Quad Tour from Reykjavik: $131
- 1-Hour Helicopter Tour in Iceland: The Geothermal Tour: $438
- 1hr ATV & Golden Circle Adventure from Reykjavik: $276
- 1hr Buggy Adventure & Whale Watching from Reykjavik: $289
- 1hr Buggy Adventure from Reykjavik: $172
- 2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik: $169
- 2hr Buggy 'Lava Field Adventure' from Reykjavik: $219
- 3-Hour Private Discover Reykjavik Photography Tour: $172
- 3hr Volcanic Springs ATV Adventure from Reykjavik: $299
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCape Town $21Reykjavik $28
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
-
Beer$8.79
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
- Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Town and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik is in Europe, 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cape Town or Reykjavik?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Cape Town and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Cape Town or Reykjavik in the Summer?
Both Reykjavik and Cape Town are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Cape Town is generally much warmer than Reykjavikin July. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 21°C (70°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during summer. Cape Town gets 338 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Reykjavikin July. Cape Town gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyCape Town 21°C (70°F)Reykjavik 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Cape Town or Reykjavik in the Autumn?
Both Reykjavik and Cape Town during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. Cape Town is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. In the autumn, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Reykjavikin October. Cape Town gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets less rain in April than Reykjavikin October. Cape Town gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberCape Town 18°C (64°F)Reykjavik 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Cape Town or Reykjavik in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Town and Reykjavik. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In the winter, Cape Town is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cape Town in July average around 13°C (55°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F)in January.
Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during winter. Cape Town gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Cape Town usually receives more rain than Reykjavikin January. Cape Town gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCape Town 13°C (55°F)Reykjavik -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Cape Town or Reykjavik in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cape Town as well as Reykjavik. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. In October, Cape Town is generally much warmer than Reykjavikin April. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 16°C (61°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In the spring, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Reykjavikin April. Cape Town gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets less rain in October than Reykjavikin April. Cape Town gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilCape Town 16°C (61°F)Reykjavik 3°C (38°F)
Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Cape Town
| Cape Town | Reykjavik | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.