A Travel Price Comparison for South Africa Hermanus vs. Cape Town for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hermanus or Cape Town?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hermanus and Cape Town can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Hermanus or Cape Town?

Hermanus

Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!

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 Budget Safaris in South Africa, The Best Luxury Tours to South Africa, The Best Budget Tours to South Africa, and The Best G Adventures Tours to South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Hermanus?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Hermanus is $66, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $95. 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 Hermanus and Cape Town in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hermanus $24
    Cape Town $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hermanus $48
    Cape Town $74
Compare Hotels in Hermanus and Cape Town

Looking for a hotel in Hermanus 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.

Hotels in Hermanus


Hotels in Cape Town


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: Hermanus Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hermanus $7.94
    Cape Town $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfers: $11
  • Private Airport Transfers in Cape Town- One way/Round Trips: $16
  • 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $16
  • Airport Transfer to Cape Town Cruise Terminal: $17
  • Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
  • Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $17
  • Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $17
  • Shuttle Transport Transfer from Camps Bay to Cape Town Airport: $17
  • Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Muizenberg Cape Town : $18
  • Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Constantia: $18
  • Cape Town City Centre to Intl Airport Transfer Roundtrip Transfer: $19
  • Private Transfer Cape Town Airport to or from From Cape Town: $19

Is it cheaper to fly into Hermanus or Cape Town?

Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Hermanus 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hermanus $38
    Cape Town $41

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 with a Chef Founder: $28
  • Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $35
  • 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $42
  • Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $55
  • Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $58
  • African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $59
  • Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $60
  • From CapeTown: African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $61
  • Cruise and Dine Dinner / Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $69
  • Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $74
  • Private Cooking Class and Meal in Local Wynberg Cape Town Home: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hermanus -
    Cape Town $22

Tours and Activities in Hermanus

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:

  • Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $272
  • Hermanus Land based Whale Walking Tour with Dave de Beer: $69
  • Hermanus Whale Watching Day Tour: $24
  • Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $72
  • Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $135
  • Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2024: $54

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: $3.15
  • Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.51
  • V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
  • Cape Town 30-minute V&A Harbour Cruise: $4.10
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.10
  • Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.29
  • Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.29
  • Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
  • 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
  • Private Guided Tour of Cape Town Diamond Museum: $5.25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hermanus -
    Cape Town $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Hermanus

Also in Hermanus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide : $21
  • Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $45
  • Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $81

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:

  • Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.46
  • African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $24
  • Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
  • Wine tasting tour : $36
  • From 3 Regions Wine Tour incl 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $37
  • Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $38
  • half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $42
  • Fullday Wine Tour: $50
  • Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $51
  • Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $53
  • Private Constantia Wine Tour: $59
  • Cape Point Chapman's Peak Drive Penguins Full Day Tour + Wine Tasting: $59


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hermanus and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Hermanus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hermanus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hermanus 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 Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town than you might in Hermanus.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hermanus Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Hermanus or Cape Town?

Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Hermanus. When comparing the sizes of Hermanus 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 Hermanus or Cape Town?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Hermanus or Cape Town in the Summer?

Both Cape Town and Hermanus during the summer are popular places to visit.

Hermanus is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Hermanus averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hermanus. In the summer, Hermanus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Town. Hermanus gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.

Hermanus usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Cape Town. Hermanus gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Hermanus 21°C (70°F) 
    Cape Town 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Hermanus or Cape Town in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hermanus and Cape Town.

In the autumn, Hermanus is around the same temperature as Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hermanus in April average around 18°C (64°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In Hermanus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hermanus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Town during autumn. Hermanus gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Hermanus usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cape Town. Hermanus gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Hermanus 18°C (64°F) 
    Cape Town 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Hermanus or Cape Town in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hermanus as well as Cape Town.

In July, Hermanus is generally around the same temperature as Cape Town. Daily temperatures in Hermanus average around 13°C (55°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Hermanus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Town. Hermanus gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.

Hermanus usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Cape Town. Hermanus gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Hermanus 13°C (55°F) 
    Cape Town 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Hermanus or Cape Town in the Spring?

Both Cape Town and Hermanus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Hermanus is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Hermanus averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Cape Town. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hermanus. Hermanus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Town during spring. Hermanus gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Hermanus usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cape Town. Hermanus gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Hermanus 16°C (61°F) 
    Cape Town 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Cape Town and Hermanus

Hermanus Cape Town
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 18°C (64°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 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 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 77 mm (3 in) 13°C (55°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Sep 14°C (58°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 19°C (65°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (65°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)