Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Genoa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Genoa or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Genoa 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: Genoa or Cape Town?
Genoa
Located on the coast of northwest Italy, Genoa is a port city and capital of the Liguria region. With a long history as a rich and powerful trade center, Genoa's past of many centuries is still visible in its old port, stunning architecture, and charming alleyways. A traveler can spend days walking along seaside villas, admiring towering churches, and shopping the boutiques of the city. Genoa is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, featuring what is thought to be his birth home and many other quaint abodes.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy, 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 dayGenoa €150Cape Town €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Genoa is €150, 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 Genoa and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGenoa €88Cape Town €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGenoa €176Cape Town €72
Compare Hotels in Genoa and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Genoa 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: Genoa Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Genoa €8.69Cape Town €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Genoa
Also for Genoa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Savona Cruise Port to Genoa hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
- Savona Cruise Port to Genoa hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Savona Cruise Port to Genoa Airport Private Departure Transfer: $59
- Private transfer from Genoa to Portofino with Hotel or Cruise Port pick-up: $120
- Private Transfer: Genoa Cruise Port to Genoa City in Minivan: $66
- Private Transfer from/to Genoa to/from Portofino: $124
- Private Transfer from/to Genoa Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from Santa Margherita Port to Genoa Airport GOA: $44
- Private Transfer from Santa Margherita Cruise Port to Genoa city: $44
- Private Transfer from Genoa, Savona or Portofino to Genoa Port by Luxury Vehicle: $66
- Private Transfer from Genoa city to Santa Margherita Cruise Port: $44
- Private Transfer from Genoa Airport GOA to Santa Margherita Port: $44
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Genoa or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Genoa 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 dayGenoa €51Cape Town €39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Genoa
For Genoa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Genoese cooking lesson in the garden with lunch: $68
- Genoa Old town Food Tour: $74
- Itinerant dinner in the old town: $75
- Street Food Tour: $85
- Do Eat Better Experience - Food Tours in Genoa: $86
- Traditional Food Tour: $91
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Camogli: $93
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Savona: $93
- Dining experience with cooking demo and wines in Rapallo: $93
- Traditional Home Cooking Class in Genoa: $93
- Tour of Genoa historic center and wine tasting with dinner: $93
- Small-group Street food tour in Savona: $97
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.Genoa €20Cape Town €21
Tours and Activities in Genoa
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Genoa.
- 2 Hours Private Historical Tour in Genoa: $104
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour of Genoa from the Cruise Terminal: $240
- 7 Islands 7 Stops Tour of Archipelago La Maddalena: $90
- Aquarium of Genoa + Panera Ice Cream Taste experience: $32
- Aquarium of Genoa Ticket and Whale Watching Cruise: $70
- Aquarium of Entry Ticket and Aperitif: $31
- Cesarine: Market Tour & Dining at a Local's Home in Genoa: $152
- City Sightseeing Genoa Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $27
- Departure by Private Car from Genoa City to Genoa Cruise Port: $44
- Discover Genoa, old town walking tour: $131
- E-Bike, Scooter and Scooter Tour: $38
- E-bike tour in Genova: $82
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGenoa €10Cape Town €19
Sample the Local Flavors in Genoa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Genoa:
- Guided Eco Hiking and Sea View Wine Tasting in Portofino Park: $75
- 3 Hour Pesto Making and Wine Tasting Activity in Campetto Genoa: $105
- CAMOGLI: PRIVATE Ligurian Wine Tasting Experience and walking on National Park: $126
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 Genoa and Cape Town, we can see that Genoa is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Genoa 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 Genoa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Genoa 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 Genoa Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Genoa or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Genoa. When comparing the sizes of Genoa 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 Genoa 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 Genoa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Genoa or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Genoa and Cape Town. Many visitors come to Genoa in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Genoa is generally a little warmer than Cape Townin January. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 25°C (76°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In Genoa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Genoa usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during summer. Genoa gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Genoa usually receives less rain than Cape Townin January. Genoa gets 12 mm (0.5 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 JanuaryGenoa 25°C (76°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Genoa or Cape Town in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Genoa as well as Cape Town. Most visitors come to Genoa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Genoa is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the autumn. The daily temperature in Genoa averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. In the autumn, Genoa often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin April. Genoa gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun.
Genoa usually gets more rain in October than Cape Townin April. Genoa gets 97 mm (3.8 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 AprilGenoa 19°C (66°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Genoa or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Genoa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Genoa because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Genoa is cooler than Cape Town. Typically, the winter temperatures in Genoa in January average around 11°C (51°F), and Cape Town averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.
Genoa usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during winter. Genoa gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Genoa usually receives less rain than Cape Townin July. Genoa gets 71 mm (2.8 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 JulyGenoa 11°C (51°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Genoa or Cape Town in the Spring?
Both Cape Town and Genoa during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Genoa this time of year.
In April, Genoa is generally cooler than Cape Townin October. Daily temperatures in Genoa average around 15°C (58°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Genoa often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin October. Genoa gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun.
Genoa usually gets more rain in April than Cape Townin October. Genoa gets 65 mm (2.6 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 OctoberGenoa 15°C (58°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Genoa
| Genoa | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 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.