Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Istanbul or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul 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: Istanbul or Cape Town?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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 in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Cape Town $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, 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 Istanbul and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Cape Town $39
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Cape Town $78
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Cape Town $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Ferry$0.09
-
Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- İstanbul Vip Airport Transfer : $50
- İstanbul Private Arrival Transfer : $56
- İstanbul Private Airport Transfer: $140
- İstanbul Airports Transfer Services: $43
- İstanbul Airport Transfer(Airport to Hotel,Hotel to Airport): $63
- İstanbul Airport Transfer : Your reliable & Stress-Free ride: $55
- İstanbul Airport Private Transfer: $46
- VIP Transfer from Hotel to Airport in Istanbul: $27
- Two Ways Sabiha Gokcen Airport VIP Transfer: $87
- Transfer from Hotels to Airports in Istanbul by Private Luxury Sedan: $131
- Transfer from Airports in Istanbul to Hotels by Private Eco-Sedan: $49
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport: Private Transfer Service to Istanbul: $65
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): $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
- Exclusive Cape Town Airport and Cruise Terminal Transfers: $18
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $18
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Muizenberg Cape Town : $18
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $18
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Constantia: $18
- Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $18
- 24 hour Private Airport Shuttle and Transfer CBD: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $31Cape Town $42
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Juice$0.06
-
Turkish Delight$0.02
-
Dessert$0.26
-
Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Turkish Night Show All inclusive: $16
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $21
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show : $27
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Cape Town $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
-
Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
-
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
-
Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- 2 Hours Ultimate Kebab Experience in Galata, Istanbul: $160
- 4 Hours Private Highlights Tour Of Istanbul: $273
- All in One Day Istanbul - Historical Tour of Istanbul with Bosphorus Cruise: $164
- Bosphorus Cruise And Asia Minor Tour: $220
- Dolmabace Palace, Bosphorus Boat Tour , Eyüp Sultan Mosque Tour: $150
- Highlights of Cappadocia with Mehmet ( Private Tour ): $95
- Istanbul Half Day City Tour (Ottoman Relics): $55
- City Highlights Tour w/Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque: $35
- Must - See Istanbul Stops 1: Half Day Morning Tour: $139
- 1 Day Private Istanbul Guided Tour: $75
- 1,2 or 3 DAY: Private Guided Istanbul Tour from CRUISE SHIP or HOTEL: $75
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $250
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: $3.24
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.60
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- Cape Town 30-minute V&A Harbour Cruise: $4.15
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.15
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.35
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.35
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $5.00
- 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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $15Cape Town $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $246
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $849
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 Istanbul and Cape Town, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Cape Town?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cape Town. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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 Istanbul 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 Istanbul has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Istanbul or Cape Town in the Summer?
Both Cape Town and Istanbul during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Istanbul is a little warmer than Cape Town. Typically, the summer temperatures in Istanbul in July average around 24°C (74°F), and Cape Town averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Istanbul. In the summer, Istanbul often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Townin January. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in July than Cape Townin January. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Cape Town in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Cape Town. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Istanbul is generally cooler than Cape Townin April. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 16°C (61°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during autumn. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Cape Townin April. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Cape Town in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Cape Town. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Istanbul is much colder than Cape Town in the winter. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.
In the winter, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin July. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in January than Cape Townin July. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Cape Town in the Spring?
Both Cape Town and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In the spring, Istanbul is cooler than Cape Town. Typically, the spring temperatures in Istanbul in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Cape Town averages at about 16°C (61°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during spring. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Cape Townin October. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.