Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Cape Town?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, 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 dayIslamabad $42Cape Town $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, 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 Islamabad and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Cape Town $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Cape Town $78
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.67Cape Town $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
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 Islamabad or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Cape Town $42
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.Islamabad $9.48Cape Town $23
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
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 dayIslamabad $2.88Cape Town $21
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 Islamabad and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad is in Asia 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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 Islamabad has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Islamabad or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Cape Town.
The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad is much warmer than Cape Town. Typically, the summer temperatures in Islamabad in July average around 32°C (90°F), and Cape Town averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during summer. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
Islamabad gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Cape Townin January. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 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 JanuaryIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Cape Town in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Cape Town.
In October, Islamabad is generally a little warmer than Cape Townin April. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 26°C (80°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the autumn, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Cape Townin April. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun.
Islamabad usually gets less rain in October than Cape Townin April. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 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 AprilIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Islamabad is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the winter. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Cape Town during winter. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Cape Townin July. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 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 JulyIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Cape Town in the Spring?
Both Cape Town and Islamabad during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Islamabad is much warmer than Cape Town. Typically, the spring temperatures in Islamabad in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Cape Town averages at about 16°C (61°F)in October.
In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the spring, Islamabad often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Townin October. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun.
Islamabad usually gets more rain in April than Cape Townin October. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 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 OctoberIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.