Which place is cheaper, Washington or Cape Town?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cape Town or Washington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cape Town or Washington? 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 Washington?
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.
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCape Town $98Washington $198
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $98, while the average daily cost in Washington is $198. 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 Washington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCape Town $39Washington $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCape Town $78Washington $226
Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Washington
Looking for a hotel in Cape Town or Washington? 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 Washington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cape Town $17Washington $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From 3-Day Safari and Coastal Tour with Transfer: $508
- From Group Transfer Only to Aquilla Game Reserve: $459
- Big 5 Aquila Safari Private Transfer with Park Fee From Cape Town: $300
- Jeep Dune Adventure Tour, Sandboarding & Transfer: $279
- Shark Cage Diving & Penguins Tour to Gansbaai with private transfers: $274
- Cape Town Morning or Afternoon Safari including private transfer: $254
- Aquila Safari Game Drive, Lunch & Shared Transfers from Cape Town: $252
- Whale Watching In Hermanus with Private Transfer: $250
- Pvt Airport to Hout Bay Transfer: $243
- Full Day Private Chauffeur and Transfer Services in Cape Town: $240
- 1 Day Helderberg Valley Winelands Tour with Private Transfers: $232
- Hermanus Wine Tour (Full Day Including Cape Town Transfers): $230
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Washington, DC: Airport Transfer to/from DCA or IAD: $350
- Washington to Washington Airport (IAD) Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Washington to Newark Airport Departure Private Transfer: $187
- Washington to NY Kennedy Airport(JFK)- Departure Private Transfer: $199
- Washington to Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Washington to Baltimore Airport (BWI) Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA): Transfer to Washington: $174
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Washington DC: Private Transfer to Airports or Baltimore: $160
- Washington DC: DCA Private Transfer from/to Downtown: $110
- Washington DC: Bus transfer from/to Philadelphia: $5.74
- Washington Airport (DCA) to Washington RoundTrip Private Transfer: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Washington?
Prices for flights to both Washington 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 $42Washington $38
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 Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DC: Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Spirit: $69
- Washington DC Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- DC: Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $74
- Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $85
- Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $98
- Washington, DC: African American History Tour with Dinner: $108
- Washington,DC: Union Market Private Food Tour: $125
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $140
- Washington DC Premier Dinner Cruise: $144
- Washington DC: Personalized & Private Food Tour with a Local: $152
- Private Traditional Filipino Cooking Class Near Washington DC : $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cape Town $23Washington $24
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
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- See DC In A Day: Guided Small Group Ultimate Day Tour : $99
- 2 For 1! DC Highlights & Arlington Cemetery Tour Bundle: $84
- 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $55
- 2-Hour African American Heritage Tour in Washington DC: $25
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour : $75
- 2-Hour National Mall Walking Tour from Washington DC: $25
- 4 Hours Washington Tour with Boat Cruise: $169
- A 9D Salt Cave Experience: $95
- A Self-Guided Tour of Washington DC's Monumental Marvels: $25
- Admission & Guided Tour of Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria: $99
- African American History Private Tour w/ Museum Entry: $450
- African American History Tour with Museum Admission: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCape Town $21Washington $19
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 Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.: $59
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $59
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
- From Washington DC: Seneca Creek Region Wine Tour with Lunch: $175
- Full-Day Private Virginia Wine Tour Experience from Washington : $242
- Private Washington DC Virginia Winery Wine Tasting Tour -Spirited: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Town and Washington, we can see that Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Washington 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 Washington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cape Town or Washington?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Washington. When comparing the sizes of Cape Town and Washington, 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 Washington?
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 Washington has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Cape Town or Washington in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Town and Washington. Furthermore, many travelers come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Cape Town is generally cooler than Washingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 21°C (70°F), and Washington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Washington during summer. Cape Town gets 338 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Washingtonin July. Cape Town gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyCape Town 21°C (70°F)Washington 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Washington in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cape Town as well as Washington. Additionally, many visitors come to Washington in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Cape Town is a little warmer than Washington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Washington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In the autumn, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Washingtonin October. Cape Town gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 197 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets less rain in April than Washingtonin October. Cape Town gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberCape Town 18°C (64°F)Washington 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Washington in the Winter?
Both Washington and Cape Town are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Washington for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Washington can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cape Town is much warmer than Washington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cape Town in July average around 13°C (55°F), and Washington averages at about 35°F (1°C)in January.
Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Washington during winter. Cape Town gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Cape Town usually receives more rain than Washingtonin January. Cape Town gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryCape Town 13°C (55°F)Washington 35°F (1°C)
Should I visit Cape Town or Washington in the Spring?
Both Washington and Cape Town during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Washington because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In October, Cape Town is generally a little warmer than Washingtonin April. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 16°C (61°F), and Washington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
In Washington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cape Town. In the spring, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Washingtonin April. Cape Town gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 228 hours of full sun.
Cape Town usually gets less rain in October than Washingtonin April. Cape Town gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilCape Town 16°C (61°F)Washington 56°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Washington and Cape Town
| Cape Town | Washington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jul | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 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.