A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Meknes vs. Cape Town for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Meknes 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 Meknes 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: Meknes or Cape Town?

Meknes

So you love a bustling nightlife with fine restaurants and meaningful historical buildings, but you hate all the tourists. Well, it maybe time to visit Meknes, Morocco. Since most travelers head straight to Fez, that leaves Meknes relatively untouched and remains free of the usual hassles that plague other major destinations.

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 Morocco, The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Meknes?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Meknes is $46, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $96. 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 Meknes and Cape Town in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Meknes $26
    Cape Town $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Meknes $52
    Cape Town $76
Compare Hotels in Meknes and Cape Town

Looking for a hotel in Meknes 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 Meknes


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: Meknes Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Meknes $1.46
    Cape Town $17

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: $486
  • From Group Transfer Only to Aquilla Game Reserve: $440
  • Big 5 Aquila Safari Private Transfer with Park Fee From Cape Town: $300
  • Jeep Dune Adventure Tour, Sandboarding & Transfer: $267
  • Aquila Safari Game Drive, Lunch & Shared Transfers from Cape Town: $243
  • Whale Watching In Hermanus with Private Transfer: $242
  • Cape Town International Airport and Hotel Private Group Transfers: $241
  • Pvt Airport to Hout Bay Transfer: $233
  • Full Day Private Chauffeur and Transfer Services in Cape Town: $230
  • Historical Tour in Capes Town with Private Transfer: $187
  • Cape Town:- Airport to Table View One way Transfer: $181
  • Hermanus: Airport Transfer: $176

Is it cheaper to fly into Meknes or Cape Town?

Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Meknes 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
    Meknes $14
    Cape Town $41
Typical Food Prices in Meknes

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Meknes:


  • Popcorn
    $0.20
  • Spices
    $2.49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Meknes

For Meknes, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Fes Medina :Grocery shopping & cooking Class with Fatima: $95

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: $27
  • African Cooking with a Chef Founder: $27
  • Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $39
  • 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $41
  • Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $54
  • Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $57
  • African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $58
  • Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $60
  • Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $73
  • South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
  • Cape Town Food tour with locals: $100
  • The Cape Town Essentials Food Tour: $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Meknes $3.55
    Cape Town $23

Tours and Activities in Meknes

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Meknes.

  • Fes Volubilis Tour: $45
  • From Fez: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes Full Day Tour: $17
  • From Rabat: Volubilis and Meknes Full-day Tour: $256

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Cape Agulhas Full Day Private Tour: $187
  • Cape Point Full Day Tour: $187
  • Cape Point Private Tour withTable Mountain and Penguin Colony : $249
  • Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope day tour Up to 10 persons: $64
  • CapeWinelands Private Tour to Stellenbosch,Franschhoek and Paarl: $94
  • Day Tour in Robben Island, Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain : $160
  • Private Tour Cape of Good Hope with Penguins : $109
  • South African Traditional Braai (BBQ) Experience & Winetasting : $134
  • ( Cape Town Private Tour Full-Day ) Robben Island and Cape Peninsula Penguins : $256
  • ( Cape town ) Private Winelands Tasting Full Day Tour: $167
  • ( Cape town Private Tour ) Hermanus Shark Cage Diving : $244
  • (Cape Town Private Tour ) Whale Watching Combo on Boat : $213

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Meknes $2.62
    Cape Town $20
Typical Alcohol Prices in Meknes

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Meknes:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $4.58

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: $9.36
  • African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $19
  • Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $27
  • From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $37
  • Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $37
  • half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $47
  • Fullday Wine Tour: $49
  • Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $50
  • Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $52
  • Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Wine Tram: $61
  • Wine Tasting Private Tour through Durbanville Winelands: $64
  • Cape Town Tour with wine tasting.Full day peninsula tour.: $65


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Meknes and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Meknes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Meknes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Meknes 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 Meknes.

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


Which is Bigger, Meknes or Cape Town?

Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Meknes. When comparing the sizes of Meknes 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 Meknes or Cape Town?

Cape Town has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Meknes experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Meknes or Cape Town in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Meknes and Cape Town. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Meknes year-round.

In July, Meknes is generally around the same temperature as Cape Townin January. Daily temperatures in Meknes average around 23°C (73°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. In Meknes, it's very sunny this time of the year. Meknes usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Town during summer. Meknes gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Meknes usually receives less rain than Cape Townin January. Meknes gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Meknes 23°C (73°F) 
    Cape Town 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Meknes or Cape Town in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Meknes as well as Cape Town. Meknes attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Meknes is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the autumn. The daily temperature in Meknes averages around 19°C (67°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. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Meknes this time of the year. In the autumn, Meknes often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Townin April. Meknes gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun.

Meknes usually gets more rain in October than Cape Townin April. Meknes gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Meknes 19°C (67°F) 
    Cape Town 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Meknes or Cape Town in the Winter?

Both Cape Town and Meknes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Meknes throughout the year.

In the winter, Meknes is around the same temperature as Cape Town. Typically, the winter temperatures in Meknes in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Cape Town averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.

Meknes usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during winter. Meknes gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Meknes usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cape Townin July. Meknes gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Meknes 12°C (54°F) 
    Cape Town 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Meknes or Cape Town in the Spring?

Both Cape Town and Meknes during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Meknes because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Meknes is generally around the same temperature as Cape Townin October. Daily temperatures in Meknes average around 16°C (60°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Meknes. In the spring, Meknes often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin October. Meknes gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun.

Meknes usually gets more rain in April than Cape Townin October. Meknes gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Meknes 16°C (60°F) 
    Cape Town 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Cape Town and Meknes

Meknes Cape Town
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 21°C (70°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Feb 13°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
May 18°C (65°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 13°C (56°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 0 mm (0 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 1 mm (0 in) 13°C (55°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 9 mm (0.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 19°C (65°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 13°C (55°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)