Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Dublin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dublin or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dublin or Cape Town, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Dublin or Cape Town?
Dublin
Dublin is the vibrant and fun capital city of Ireland and home to over a third of the country's population. There are almost 2 million people in the metropolitan area. It's also the most common entry point into the country for visitors. Once you arrive, its a good idea to head over to the main tourist office in St. Andrew's Church off Grafton Street. They can give you maps and information to make sure your trip is efficient and fun. Many people enjoy seeing what remains of the Georgian architecture throughout the city. Much of the city is also modernist in style with many blocks made up of offices.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in Ireland, The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland, 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 dayDublin €143Cape Town €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Dublin is €143, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is €91. 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 Dublin and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDublin €68Cape Town €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDublin €136Cape Town €72
Compare Hotels in Dublin and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Dublin or Cape Town? 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: Dublin Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dublin €19Cape Town €16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dublin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:
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Rental Car for a Day€15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dublin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:
- The Westin Hotel Dublin To Dublin Airport Private Chauffeur Transfer: $167
- The Marker Hotel Dublin To Dublin Airport To Private Chauffeur Transfer: $155
- The Croke Park Hotel Dublin To Dublin Airport Private Chauffeur Transfer: $179
- Shannon: Private Airport Arrival Transfer to Dublin: $619
- Private transfer service from Dublin to Galway: $499
- Private transfer service from Dublin to Belfast: $431
- Private Transfer: Dublin to Dublin Airport DUB in Business Car: $103
- Private Transfer: Dublin Airport DUB to Dublin in Business Car: $103
- Private Transfer from Navan to Belfast Airport (BFS): $272
- Private Transfer from Dundalk to Belfast Airport (BFS): $178
- Private Transfer from Dun Laoghaire Port to Dublin Airport (DUB): $46
- Private Transfer from Dublin city to Dun Laoghaire Cruise Port: $46
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 Dublin or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Dublin 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 dayDublin €49Cape Town €39
Typical Food Prices in Dublin
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:
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Lunch Lynam's Pub€3.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dublin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dublin.
- Discover the Flavors of Dublin on a Guided Street Food Tour: $30
- Dublin 3-Course Dinner and Live Shows at The Irish House Party: $31
- No Diet Club - Best Food Tour in Dublin !: $59
- Dublin Irish Night Show, Dance and Traditional 3-Course Dinner: $60
- NO DIET CLUB - Best Food Tour in Dublin !: $62
- Grand Canal Cruise with Dinner: $72
- Delicious Walking Food Tour: $81
- Delicious Dublin Food Tour: $82
- Dublin Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $87
- Howth Coastal Craft Beer and Seafood Tour: $96
- Bread, Beer & Bia: Irish Cooking Class & Dinner in Dublin: $99
- Irish Craic & Cuisine: Cooking Class & Dinner in Central Dublin: $106
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.Dublin €25Cape Town €21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dublin
Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Wild Wicklow Tour€26
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Guinness Brewery for Two€27
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St Pauls Cathedral€4.50
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Dublin Writer's Museum€6.30
Tours and Activities in Dublin
Here are a few actual costs in Dublin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Self Guided Walking Tour of Dublin's Docklands: $12
- (Small Group) Cliffs of Moher and Castle Tour from Dublin: $141
- 1-Hour Cocktail Masterclass Experience in Dublin: $49
- 2 Hours Senior’s Historical Private Walking Tour of Dublin : $193
- 2-Day Southern Ireland Tour from Dublin:Including Blarney and Cliffs of Moher: $217
- 2-Day Wild Atlantic Way Tour From Dublin: $217
- 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour from Dublin : $21
- 3-Hour Drinks on Foot Dublin Walking Guided Tour: $30
- 4-Day Grand Atlantic Rail Tour from Dublin: $1,181
- 5-Day Tour of West Ireland: Blarney Stone & Cliffs of Moher: $1,461
- 6-Day Tour of Southern Ireland from Dublin: $946
- A Guided Walking Tour of Trinity College Campus: $17
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 dayDublin €17Cape Town €19
Sample the Local Flavors in Dublin
Also in Dublin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Authentic Brewery Tour: $11
- Generation Pub Crawl: $15
- Dublin Epic Pub Crawl: Experience Dublin's pubs and nightlife: $15
- "Dublin Delight Pub Expedition" Pub Crawl: $16
- The Dublin Liberties Distillery: Tour with Whiskey Tasting: $18
- The Dublin Liberties Distillery - Guided Tour and Whiskey Tasting: $19
- Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $22
- Exclusive Brewery Tour and Tasting at Kildare Brewing Co, Sallins: $22
- Skip the Line: Teeling Whiskey Distillery Tour and Tasting in Dublin Ticket: $22
- The Black Experience Pub Tour: $22
- City Pub Crawl Experience: $24
- Pearse Lyons Whiskey Distillery Experience: $24
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 Dublin and Cape Town, we can see that Dublin is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dublin is in Europe and Cape Town is in Africa, 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 Dublin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dublin 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 Dublin Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dublin or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dublin. When comparing the sizes of Dublin and Cape Town, 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 Dublin or Cape Town?
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 Dublin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Dublin or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dublin as well as Cape Town. Many visitors come to Dublin in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Dublin is cooler than Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 16°C (60°F) in July, and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. In the summer, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin January. Dublin gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.
Dublin usually gets more rain in July than Cape Townin January. Dublin gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDublin 16°C (60°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Dublin or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Dublin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In the autumn, Dublin is much colder than Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dublin in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during autumn. Dublin gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dublin usually receives more rain than Cape Townin April. Dublin gets 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilDublin 11°C (52°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Dublin or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Dublin during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Dublin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Dublin is generally much colder than Cape Townin July. Daily temperatures in Dublin average around 6°C (42°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Dublin often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin July. Dublin gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.
Dublin usually gets less rain in January than Cape Townin July. Dublin gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyDublin 6°C (42°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Dublin or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dublin and Cape Town. The activities around the city are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.
Dublin is much colder than Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Dublin averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. Dublin usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during spring. Dublin gets 157 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dublin usually receives more rain than Cape Townin October. Dublin gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberDublin 8°C (47°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Dublin
| Dublin | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (44°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (47°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (60°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (56°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (44°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 17 mm (0.7 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.