Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Glasgow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Glasgow or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow 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: Glasgow or Cape Town?
Glasgow
Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland with a population of about 600,000 and more than 2 million in the surrounding areas. It is located on the edge of River Clyde and has long been acclaimed as Scotland's main industrial city. It remains a major economic center for the United Kingdom outside of London. In recent years it has also been awarded the European titles as both the City of Culture as well as the City of Architecture and Design.
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 Edinburgh, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom, 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 dayGlasgow £144Cape Town £78
The average daily cost (per person) in Glasgow is £144, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is £78. 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 Glasgow and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGlasgow £74Cape Town £31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGlasgow £148Cape Town £62
Compare Hotels in Glasgow and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Glasgow 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: Glasgow Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Glasgow £27Cape Town £14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Glasgow
Also for Glasgow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Roundtrip Transfer Glasgow Airport(GLA) to Glenshee Ski Resort: $208
- Private Transfer from Glasgow City Hotels to Greenock Cruise Port: $85
- Private One Way Transfer Glasgow Airport to Edinburgh City Centre: $222
- Private Airport Transfer from and to Glasgow : $120
- Private 1-Way/Roundtrip Transfer to Glasgow Airport: $173
- Easy Bus Transfer Between Airport and City Center: $13
- Arrivals Airport Transfer to City Accommodations: $55
- Glasgow to Stirling Luxury Car Transfer: $203
- Glasgow to Inverness Direct transfer: $784
- Glasgow to Gleneagles Luxury Car Transfer: $242
- Glasgow hotels to Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Glasgow Private Transfer from Glasgow city centre to Glasgow (GLA) Airport: $64
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 Glasgow or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Glasgow 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 dayGlasgow £45Cape Town £33
Typical Food Prices in Glasgow
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Glasgow:
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Dessert at Farmer's Market£1.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Glasgow
For Glasgow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Glasgow Walking Food Tour with EatWalk Tours: $146
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.Glasgow £22Cape Town £18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Glasgow
For Glasgow, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Luss Highland Games Entrance Fee (for 2)£12
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Two Bike Rental£34
Tours and Activities in Glasgow
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Glasgow.
- 1.5hr Glasgow Necropolis Tour: The City of the Dead: $68
- 2 Hour Football Walking Tour in Glasgow : $25
- 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Glasgow: $261
- 3 Day Outlander Tour: $255
- 3 Hours Private City Glasgow Walking Tour: $273
- 3-Hour Private Glasgow Essentials Tour: $285
- Celtic Park Tour & Dine Package: $53
- City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $23
- Discover Glasgow's Finest - Private Walking Tour: $516
- Discover Glasgow's Imperial Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Executive Scottish Lowlands Tour: $1,129
- From Glasgow, Edinburgh: Outlander Private Tour: $1,035
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 dayGlasgow £15Cape Town £17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Glasgow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Glasgow:
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Bottle of Wine£12
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Ciders at Kilted Skirlie£3.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Glasgow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Glasgow:
- Clydeside Distillery Tour and Whisky Tasting: $23
- Tennent’s Brewery Guided Tour and Free Pint: $24
- Secrets & Summer Serves at Glengoyne Distillery: $25
- Glengoyne Distillery Tour with Whisky & Chocolate: $44
- Glasgow Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
- Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow : $70
- Sample Fine & Rare Whiskies at Glengoyne Distillery: $75
- The Malt Master Experience at Glengoyne Distillery: $125
- Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour: $187
- Guided Electric Bike Tour with a Distillery Visit: $188
- Pints & Past: Glasgow Pub Tour: $459
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 Glasgow and Cape Town, we can see that Glasgow is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Glasgow 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 Glasgow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Glasgow 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 Glasgow Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Glasgow. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Glasgow or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Cape Town. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Glasgow is generally cooler than Cape Townin January. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 15°C (59°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. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during summer. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Cape Townin January. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 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 JanuaryGlasgow 15°C (59°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Glasgow or Cape Town in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Cape Town. Most visitors come to Glasgow for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
Glasgow is much colder than Cape Town in the autumn. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 10°C (49°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, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin April. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun.
Glasgow receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Glasgow usually gets more rain in October than Cape Townin April. Glasgow gets 163 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 AprilGlasgow 10°C (49°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Glasgow or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Glasgow can be very cold. In the winter, Glasgow is much colder than Cape Town. Typically, the winter temperatures in Glasgow in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Cape Town averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.
Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during winter. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In January, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Cape Townin July. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 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 JulyGlasgow 3°C (38°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Glasgow or Cape Town in the Spring?
Both Cape Town and Glasgow during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year.
In April, Glasgow is generally much colder than Cape Townin October. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 7°C (45°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, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin October. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun.
Glasgow usually gets more rain in April than Cape Townin October. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 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 OctoberGlasgow 7°C (45°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Glasgow
| Glasgow | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 136 mm (5.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 10°C (51°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (58°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 164 mm (6.5 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.