Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moscow or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Moscow and Cape Town. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Moscow or Cape Town?
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
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 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 dayMoscow $63Cape Town $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $63, 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 Moscow and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoscow $40Cape Town $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoscow $80Cape Town $78
Compare Hotels in Moscow and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Moscow 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: Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moscow $6.18Cape Town $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
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Two Metro Passes$1.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Wonorejo to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Tengkerang Barat to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Tanjung Rhu to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Tanjung Alam to Padang Airport (PDG): $135
- Private Transfer from Tangkerang Utara to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Tampan to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Simpang Tiga to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tengkerang Tengah: $40
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tanjung Rhu: $43
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tangkerang Labuai: $40
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Sukajadi: $43
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Sri Meranti: $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whale Watching In Hermanus with Private Transfer: $250
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cape Town HTL-APT(CPT): $44
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cape Town APT-HTL(CPT): $44
- Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $18
- Transfer To Safari- Aquila From Cape Town Excluding Entry Fees Full Day: $159
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Simonstown to Cape Town Airport: $26
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Shopping Mall Transfers: $22
- Shark Cage Diving: Full Day Tour Transfer: $97
- Shared Transfers to and from Safari Game Reserve (excluding entrance fees): $85
- Shared Transfer to Cape Agulhas - Where The Two Oceans Meet From Cape Town F/Day: $183
Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Moscow 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 dayMoscow $14Cape Town $42
Typical Food Prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$6.00
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Lunch in the Center Market$3.27
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Breakfast for 2$11
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.Moscow $16Cape Town $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Theater Tickets$13
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Kremlin Entry (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Days Private Tour to See Bull Race and Raflesia Arnoldi Flower: $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:
- 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 dayMoscow $7.94Cape 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 Moscow and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Moscow 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 Moscow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moscow 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 Moscow.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moscow Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moscow or Cape Town?
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cape Town. When comparing the sizes of Moscow 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 Moscow 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 Moscow has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Moscow or Cape Town in the Summer?
Both Cape Town and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Moscow is around the same temperature as Cape Town. Typically, the summer temperatures in Moscow in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Cape Town averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
In July, Moscow usually receives more rain than Cape Townin January. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 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 JanuaryMoscow 19°C (67°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Moscow during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Moscow is generally much colder than Cape Townin April. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 6°C (43°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Moscow usually gets more rain in October than Cape Townin April. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 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 AprilMoscow 6°C (43°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Cape Town in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Cape Town.
Moscow can get quite cold in the winter. Moscow is much colder than Cape Town in the winter. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around -8°C (17°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.
In January, Moscow usually receives less rain than Cape Townin July. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 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 JulyMoscow -8°C (17°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Moscow or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Cape Town.
In the spring, Moscow is much colder than Cape Town. Typically, the spring temperatures in Moscow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Cape Town averages at about 16°C (61°F)in October.
Moscow usually gets more rain in April than Cape Townin October. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 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 OctoberMoscow 7°C (45°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Moscow
| Moscow | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (23°F) | 52 mm (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.