Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Kyoto?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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: Kyoto or Cape Town?
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, 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 dayKyoto $96Cape Town $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Kyoto is $96, 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 Kyoto and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKyoto $63Cape Town $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKyoto $126Cape Town $78
Compare Hotels in Kyoto and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Kyoto 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kyoto $7.56Cape Town $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $68
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $79
- Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $109
- Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $229
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $141
- Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $220
- One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $327
- Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $505
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Kyoto hotels to Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Kyoto Early Bird Half Day Private Tour with Transfer: $296
- Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $230
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $18
- Airport transfers: $22
- 1 Day Durbanville Valley Wine Tasting Tour with Private Transfers: $179
- 1 Day Explore Cape Town Like a Local with Private Guided Transfer: $149
- 1 Day Hemel en Aarde Whale Coast Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $204
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $54
- AIRPORT Transfer to and from Cape Town City: $28
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $18
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town): $54
- Airport Transfer to Cape Town Cruise Terminal: $17
- Airport Transfer: Cape Town to Cape Town Airport CPT in Luxury Car: $88
- Airport Transfers: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Kyoto or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Kyoto 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 dayKyoto $24Cape Town $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $41
- Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $46
- Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $46
- Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
- Japanese Cooking Class: $61
- Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $61
- Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $61
- Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $63
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $64
- Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $64
- Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $65
- Kyoto near Fushimiinari : Wagashi(Japanese sweets)Cooking Class : $66
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:
- 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: $70
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $76
- South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
- Private Authentic Cape Malay Cooking Class in Manenberg with Locals: $92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kyoto $13Cape Town $23
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Walking Historic Gion Tour in Kyoto Geisha Spotting Area: $300
- Kyoto Private Full-day Walking Tour from Kyoto Station: $151
- 1 Day Hiking Tour in the Mountains of Kyoto: $171
- 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $39
- 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $588
- 2 Hour Night Walking Tour Throughout Gion in a Small Group: $66
- 2 Hours Shared Kendo Experience In Kyoto Japan: $120
- 2-Hour Shopping Tour Plan / private: $131
- 3 Hour Private Bar Hopping Experience at Kyoto City: $39
- 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience: $86
- 3-Hour Japanese Sake Breweries Tour in Fushimi Kyoto: $107
- 4 hours private tour of Kyoto: $165
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: $3.59
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.14
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.38
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.38
- 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
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Return Ticket : $5.32
- Intaka Island Kayak Tour: $5.40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKyoto $12Cape Town $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sake Brewery &Great Yakitori Experience: $78
- Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $82
- Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $85
- Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $100
- Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $159
- Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $187
- Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $196
- Private Guided Local Bar Crawl Experience in Kyoto: $223
- Kyoto Nightlife: Local Bar Crawl Experience: $438
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: $7.17
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.66
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $24
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
- 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
- From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $52
When comparing the travel costs between Kyoto and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kyoto is in Asia and Cape Town is in Africa, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kyoto Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kyoto. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Kyoto or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Cape Town. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Kyoto is a little warmer than Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. In the summer, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin January. Kyoto gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.
Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kyoto usually gets more rain in July than Cape Townin January. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryKyoto 27°C (81°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Kyoto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kyoto is around the same temperature as Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kyoto in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during autumn. Kyoto gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In October, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Cape Townin April. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilKyoto 18°C (64°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Kyoto during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kyoto can be very cold during winter. In January, Kyoto is generally much colder than Cape Townin July. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 5°C (40°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin July. Kyoto gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.
Kyoto usually gets less rain in January than Cape Townin July. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyKyoto 5°C (40°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Cape Town. The spring months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Kyoto is cooler than Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during spring. Kyoto gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Cape Townin October. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberKyoto 14°C (58°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Kyoto
| Kyoto | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.