Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Dubrovnik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dubrovnik or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Dubrovnik or Cape Town? 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: Dubrovnik or Cape Town?
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", is a beautiful walled city in southern Croatia that sits on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. It's a small city, with only about 40,000 residents, but it's become one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city was historically built on maritime trade, which is not surprising given its location near major Italian and Greek ports such as Venice, Bari, Corfu, and Trieste. It was a center of language and literature and was the home of many important poets, playwrights, painters, and scientists during the 15th and 16th centuries. Today its economy is dependent on tourism and it is one of the most popular destinations in the region. People visit the city for its impressive history, beautiful setting, great weather, and interesting architecture.
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 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia, 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 dayDubrovnik $103Cape Town $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubrovnik is $103, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $98. 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 Dubrovnik and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubrovnik $53Cape Town $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubrovnik $106Cape Town $78
Compare Hotels in Dubrovnik and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Dubrovnik 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: Dubrovnik Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubrovnik $13Cape Town $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubrovnik:
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Bus Around Town$1.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubrovnik
Also for Dubrovnik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers up to 3 persons to or from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik: $49
- Transfers to and from Ston area to and from Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik airport: $154
- Transfers from Dubrovnik : $66
- Transfer to from Slano up to 7 persons to or from Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik APT: $110
- Transfer from Dubrovnik to Split with 2 hours stop in Ston Town: $86
- Transfer from Dubrovnik airport to Dubrovnik city: $66
- Transfer from Dubrovnik airport or Dubrovnik to Sun Gardens, Trsteno or Brsečine: $82
- Transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to Dubrovnik: $66
- Transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to Dubrovnik: $53
- Transfer Zagreb - Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik - Zagreb: $1,036
- Transfer Dubrovnik-Dubrovnik airport: $42
- Transfer Dubrovnik Airport to Kotor Old town : $197
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: $273
- Aquila Safari Game Drive, Lunch & Shared Transfers from Cape Town: $251
- 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 Hemel en Aarde Whale Coast Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $204
- Cape Town:- Airport to Table View One way Transfer: $189
- Hermanus: Airport Transfer: $184
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubrovnik or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Dubrovnik 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 dayDubrovnik $35Cape Town $42
Typical Food Prices in Dubrovnik
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubrovnik:
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Seafood Dinner (for 2)$31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset Dinner Cruise around the Old Town: $81
- Gastro Cruise | Dinner and Boat ride around Dubrovnik Old Town: $82
- Secrets of traditional Dalmatian cuisine with a cooking class: $128
- Old Town Food Tour: $144
- Dubrovnik Old Town Food Tour: Small-Group Experience: $147
- Konavle Wine& History&food Tour: $166
- Cooking Classes Traditional Meals of Konavle region: $179
- Traditional Dalmatian Cooking Class from Dubrovnik: $199
- Traditional Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside: $203
- Authentic Garden to Table Cooking Class in Dubrovnik Countryside : $208
- Pelješac Full-Day Wine and Food Tour from Dubrovnik: $210
- Private Dinner with Wine and Homemade Tapas: $215
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: $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: $70
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $76
- South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
- Private Authentic Cape Malay Cooking Class in Manenberg with Locals: $92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubrovnik $20Cape Town $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubrovnik
For Dubrovnik, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Boat to Lokrum Island (for 2)$14
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Dubrovnik City Wall Tour (for 2)$56
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Dubrovnik Cable Car (for 2)$48
Tours and Activities in Dubrovnik
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubrovnik.
- MONTENEGRO TOUR from Dubrovnik: $104
- Montenegro Bay Cruise with Lunch on the Boat from Koločep: $112
- 'Game of Thrones' Walking Tour in Dubrovnik: $58
- 1 Hour Shared Dubrovnik Guided Walking Tour : $26
- 1 Hour Sightseeing Tour in Dubrovnik : $105
- 1.5-Hour Walking Tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town: $20
- 10 Days Tour: Exploring Croatia, Istria and Dalmatia: $3,080
- 2 Hours Private Dubrovnik City Walls Walking Tour : $151
- 2 hrs Guided Tour to CAVTAT a Small Place for Great Art: $27
- 2-Hour Dubrovnik Fun and Exciting Jet Ski Safari Adventure Tour: $137
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour in Mlini: $22
- 3-Hour Dubrovnik Countryside ATV/Quad Safari Adventure Tour: $109
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 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
- Day Tour in Robben Island, Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain : $166
- Mandela's Robben Island Museum Bo-Kaap Cape Town City Tour + Ferry ticket f/d: $166
- Penguins Private Tour- Cape of Good Hope & Cape Point Tour from Cape Town: $114
- Private Tour Cape of Good Hope with Penguins : $155
- Private Tour to Robben Island and Cape Point in Cape Town: $121
- South African Traditional Braai (BBQ) Experience & Winetasting : $138
- ( Cape Town Private Tour ) Hermanus Whale Watching Full Day : $251
- ( Cape town ) Private Winelands Tasting Full Day Tour: $173
- ( Cape town Private Tour ) Hermanus Shark Cage Diving : $252
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubrovnik $15Cape Town $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubrovnik
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubrovnik:
- Columbo Pub Crawl Dubrovnik: $49
- Brewery Tour with Food included: $60
- Day Tour of Korcula Island from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $70
- From Korcula Island Tour with Wine Tasting: $74
- Ston and Korcula Island Day Trip from Dubrovnik with Wine Tasting: $75
- Interactive Wine Tour: $81
- Day trip to Korčula and Pelješac with Wine Tasting: $84
- Konavle Valley Wine Tour from Dubrovnik with Train Ride and Wine Tasting: $84
- Interactive Wine Tour in Dubrovnik: $89
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting in Dubrovnik Old Town : $89
- 2-Hour Kayaking at Sunset with Wine Tasting and Appetizers: $93
- E-Bike Tour + Gourmet Snack + Wine Tasting (Small Group): $97
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: $7.17
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.66
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $24
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
- 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
- From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $52
When comparing the travel costs between Dubrovnik and Cape Town, we can see that Dubrovnik is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Dubrovnik is in Europe and Cape Town is in Africa, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dubrovnik Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubrovnik or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Dubrovnik or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubrovnik and Cape Town. The summer months attract visitors to Dubrovnik because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Dubrovnik is generally a little warmer than Cape Townin January. Daily temperatures in Dubrovnik average around 25°C (77°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In July, Dubrovnik usually receives more rain than Cape Townin January. Dubrovnik gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryDubrovnik 25°C (77°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Dubrovnik or Cape Town in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dubrovnik as well as Cape Town. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Dubrovnik this time of year.
Dubrovnik is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubrovnik averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.
Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Dubrovnik usually gets more rain in October than Cape Townin April. Dubrovnik gets 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilDubrovnik 18°C (64°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Dubrovnik or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Dubrovnik are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dubrovnik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Dubrovnik is cooler than Cape Town. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubrovnik in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Cape Town averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.
It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. In January, Dubrovnik usually receives more rain than Cape Townin July. Dubrovnik gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyDubrovnik 9°C (48°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Dubrovnik or Cape Town in the Spring?
Both Cape Town and Dubrovnik during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dubrovnik in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Dubrovnik is generally cooler than Cape Townin October. Daily temperatures in Dubrovnik average around 14°C (57°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik usually gets more rain in April than Cape Townin October. Dubrovnik gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberDubrovnik 14°C (57°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Dubrovnik
| Dubrovnik | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 178 mm (7 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.