Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Milan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Milan 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 Milan 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: Milan or Cape Town?
Milan
Milan, known to most of the world as the capital of fashion and style, is also the heart of Italian industry and economics. Between the stock exchange, cathedrals and boutiques, this metropolis is a city-lover's dream come true. It is an escape from the stresses of the real world, and provides a playground for all the world's most lavish luxuries.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMilan €166Cape Town €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Milan is €166, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is €91. 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 Milan and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMilan €96Cape Town €36
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMilan €192Cape Town €72
Compare Hotels in Milan and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Milan 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: Milan Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Milan €35Cape Town €16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Milan
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Milan:
-
Train to Airport€7.00
-
Malpensa Airport Train (for Two)€22
-
Taxi From Airport€90
-
Public Transit Day Pass€4.50
-
Short Taxi Ride€7.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milan
Also for Milan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- taxi / transfer service to and from airports: $240
- Zurich : Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $861
- Zug : Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $689
- Vitznau : Private Transfer to/from Malpensa Airport: $700
- Varese : Private Transfer to/from Rho Fiera: $172
- Tremezzo: Private Transfer to/from Milan Malpensa Airport: $248
- Transfer from Milano or Linate: $137
- Transfer from Milan to Ravenna Cruise Port with stop in Verona: $258
- Transfer from Milan to Milan Malpensa: $186
- Transfer from Malpensa Airport to Milan city center: $12
- Transfer Milan city center - Malpensa airport: $12
- Transfer Milan city center - Bergamo Airport: $12
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 Milan or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Milan 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 dayMilan €39Cape Town €39
Typical Food Prices in Milan
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Milan:
-
Snack at Train Station€8.60
-
Restaurant Pizza€6.60
-
Casual Cafe Lunch (for Two)€27
-
Three Course Dinner (for Two)€64
-
Cappuccino€1.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milan
For Milan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- PYT Milano Dinner Show with Live Music and DJ Set: $22
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Milan Gourmet Food Tour and Sightseeing with Local Guide: $38
- Gourmet Street Food Tour with Sightseeing and Tasting: $45
- Eating Milan Street Food Tour with Guided Tasting and Sightseeing: $46
- Tasty Milan Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $46
- Delicious Milan Street Food Tour Tasting and Sightseeing with Local Guide: $46
- Devour Milan Street Food Tour and Sightseeing: $46
- NO DIET CLUB - Best Food Tour in Milan !: $59
- 2-Hour Cooking Course of Delicious Desserts for Families in Milan: $65
- Mamma Mia - Make Your own Italian Pizza: $69
- Local Market and Cooking Class with an Italian Chef: $70
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.Milan €31Cape Town €21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Milan
For Milan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Stairs to Duomo Rooftop€7.00
Tours and Activities in Milan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Milan.
- Lake Como trekking private guided tour, from Milan or Como: $176
- Milan Highlights semi-Private Walking Tour: $43
- Gallery Tour, Terraces of the Duomo & Cathedral: $36
- Skip-the-Line Duomo Cathedral Tour : $54
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Milan: $6.57
- 1 hour Italian Food Experiences in Milan: $39
- 2 Hours Guided La Scala Theatre Tour in Milan: $126
- 2-Hour Milan by Night Walking Tour: $157
- 2-Hour Private Guided Tour of Milan by Electric Scooter: $133
- 2-hours Duomo of Milan guided experience with entrance tickets: $71
- 24 h in Personalized Highlights Tour: $183
- 3 Hours Private Walking Tour in Milan: $5.48
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMilan €24Cape Town €19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Milan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Milan:
-
Cocktail at a Bar€8.40
-
Beer€3.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Milan
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Milan:
- Wine Tasting Experience in the City Centre: $43
- Wine Tasting Experience in Milan city centre: $44
- Milan Wine Tasting Experience: $53
- Italian Wine Tasting in Milan: $54
- Milan Wine Tasting Aperitivo: $56
- Milan Wine Tasting with Italian Sommelier: $86
- Private Food and Wine Tasting Experience in the Center of Milan: $87
- Wine Tasting with an Italian Sommelier: $94
- Best of Guided Tour with Duomo, Food & Wine Tasting: $160
- Food and Wine Tasting enjoying the New Milan: $165
- Brescia & Franciacorta Guided Tour with Wine Tasting: $182
- Brescia and Franciacorta winery area. Cultural and wine tasting small group tour: $185
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 Milan and Cape Town, we can see that Milan is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Milan 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 Milan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Milan 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 Milan Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Milan or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Milan. When comparing the sizes of Milan 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 Milan 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 Milan has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Milan or Cape Town in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Milan and Cape Town. Many travelers come to Milan for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Milan is generally around the same temperature as Cape Townin January. Daily temperatures in Milan 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 Milan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Milan usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during summer. Milan gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Milan usually receives more rain than Cape Townin January. Milan gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMilan 23°C (73°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Milan or Cape Town in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Milan as well as Cape Town. Many visitors come to Milan in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Milan is cooler than Cape Town in the autumn. The daily temperature in Milan averages around 15°C (58°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. In the autumn, Milan often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin April. Milan gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun.
Milan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Milan usually gets more rain in October than Cape Townin April. Milan gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMilan 15°C (58°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Milan or Cape Town in the Winter?
Both Cape Town and Milan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Milan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Milan can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Milan is much colder than Cape Town. Typically, the winter temperatures in Milan in January average around 5°C (41°F), and Cape Town averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.
Milan usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during winter. Milan gets 119 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Milan usually receives less rain than Cape Townin July. Milan gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMilan 5°C (41°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Milan or Cape Town in the Spring?
Both Cape Town and Milan during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Milan because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Milan is generally cooler than Cape Townin October. Daily temperatures in Milan average around 13°C (55°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Milan often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin October. Milan gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun.
Milan usually gets more rain in April than Cape Townin October. Milan gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMilan 13°C (55°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Milan
| Milan | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (41°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (49°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 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.