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

Should you visit Moshi or Cape Town?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi 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: Moshi or Cape Town?

Moshi

Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It’s known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain's cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and makes a good introduction to the splendors of the north. It's a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences and a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the center of one of Tanzania's major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there’s much more to do, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain’s lower slopes.

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 Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Moshi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $81, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $135. 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 Moshi and Cape Town in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Moshi $35
    Cape Town $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Moshi $70
    Cape Town $82
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Cape Town

Looking for a hotel in Moshi 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 Moshi


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: Moshi Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Moshi $16
    Cape Town $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi

Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Services: Kilimanjaro Airport (jro) Moshi, & Arusha: $60
  • Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
  • Nairobi: Bus Transfer from/to Moshi: $30
  • Moshi:Maasai Boma Cultural Experience-Day Trip with Transfer: $295
  • Moshi:Maasai Boma Cultural Experience-Day Trip with Transfer: $295
  • Sunset Chill with Drinks and Roundtrip Transfer: $15
  • Maasai Boma Cultural Experience-1 Day with Transfers: $295
  • Moshi : Kikuletwa Hot Springs Day Trip with Transfers: $172
  • Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfer/Taxi Services: $53
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $107
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer: $60
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi : $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • West Coast Wonders Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $186
  • 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: $19
  • Transfer to Cape Agulhas - Where Two Oceans Meet From Cape Town : $192
  • Transfer from Cape Town City Center to Cape Town Airport: $18
  • Transfer To Safari- Aquila From Cape Town Excluding Entry Fees Full Day: $145
  • Township Tour by Lwafika Tours and Transfers in Cape Town: $70
  • Stellenbosch Winelands Connoisseur Day Tour with Private Transfer: $189
  • Shuttle Transport Transfer from Simonstown to Cape Town Airport: $27
  • Shuttle Transport Transfer from Camps Bay to Cape Town Airport: $19
  • Shopping Mall Transfers: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Cape Town?

Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Moshi 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
    Moshi $33
    Cape Town $76

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi

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

  • Dee's Private Cooking Class in Tanzania: $50
  • Private Traditional Cooking Class. : $70
  • Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi with a Local Family: $78

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:

  • African Cooking with a Chef Founder: $30
  • Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $42
  • 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $45
  • Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $58
  • Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $59
  • Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $62
  • Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $65
  • From CapeTown: African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $71
  • African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $75
  • Private Authentic Cape Malay Cooking Class in Manenberg with Locals: $92
  • Half Day Cape Town African Dinner Restaurant with Live Music Show: $98
  • Sunset Dinner at an Oceanfront Restaurant Near Cape Town: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Moshi $18
    Cape Town $24

Tours and Activities in Moshi

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

  • #1. Best Kilimanjaro Day Hike tour- ISMANI TOURS AND SAFARIS: $104
  • #1. Best Kilimanjaro Day hike Tour-Machame Route-ISMANI: $115
  • #1. MATERUNI WATERFALLS: COFFEE TOUR AND CHEMKA HOTSPRING: $320
  • 1 Day Tour Covering Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation: $220
  • 1 Day Tour to Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour: $128
  • 1 day tour hike mount kilimanjaro through marangu route: $240
  • 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
  • 1Day Tour Materuni Waterfall and Kikuletwa Chemka Hotspring: $172
  • 1_Day Bike Tour to Chemka Hotspring: $80
  • 2 Days Moshi Tour: $150
  • 2-Days Kilimanjaro Hikes and Materuni Waterfalls Tour: $695
  • 3-Day Camping Adventure in Rau Forest Reserve, Arusha: $1,584

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: $145
  • Best of the Cape Tour - Cape Peninsular and Winelands: $282
  • Big 5 Safari aquila Day Tour wine testing and Lunch included: $163
  • Cape Agulhas Full Day Private Tour: $203
  • Cape Peninsula &Penguin Sightseeing in Private Car Full Day Tour: $261
  • Cape Point Full Day Tour: $203
  • Cape Town - Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens and City Tour: $300
  • Cape Town Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour: $32
  • Cape Winelands From Cape Town Private Day Tour: $164
  • Cape Winelands Tour to Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl: $102
  • Day Tour in Robben Island, Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain : $174
  • Full Day Private Adventure Tour in Cape Town with table mountain: $128

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Moshi $3.26
    Cape Town $22

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: $10
  • African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $23
  • Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $28
  • Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $30
  • From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $43
  • Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $44
  • half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $47
  • Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $51
  • Stellenbosch, Franschhoek & Paarl 5 Wine Tasting Tour small group: $52
  • Fullday Wine Tour: $54
  • Aquila Reserve Safari with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $58
  • Private Constantia Wine Tour: $59


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

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


Which is Bigger, Moshi or Cape Town?

Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Moshi. When comparing the sizes of Moshi 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.