Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nairobi 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 Nairobi 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: Nairobi or Cape Town?
Nairobi
Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, 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 dayNairobi $63Cape Town $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $100. 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 Nairobi and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Cape Town $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Cape Town $78
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Cape Town $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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Taxi from Airport$9.44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Train tickets and transfer from Nairobi to mombasa: $67
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
- Safe Airport Transfer in Nairobi: $21
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
- Private Transfer from Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $84
- Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $84
- Private Departure Transfer in Nairobi: $115
- Private Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $40
- Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
- One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfers - JKIA 45 minutes waiting time: $35
- Nairobi airport transfer: $35
- Nairobi National Park Tour with Game Drive and Transfer: $95
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: $254
- VIP Airport Transfer: $39
- 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
- Transfer To Safari- Aquila From Cape Town Excluding Entry Fees Full Day: $163
- Township Tour by Lwafika Tours and Transfers in Cape Town: $68
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Simonstown to Cape Town Airport: $27
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $18
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Camps Bay to Cape Town Airport: $18
- Shopping Mall Transfers: $23
- Shark Diving Full Day Guided Return Transfer to Gansbaai from Cape Town: $146
Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Nairobi 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 dayNairobi $7.63Cape Town $43
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for Two$5.11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
- Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
- Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
- Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $80
- Barbecue Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $85
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $91
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $92
- The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
- Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $98
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
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: $29
- Cape Malay Cooking with a Chef Founder: $29
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $41
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $44
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $56
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $57
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $60
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $62
- From CapeTown: African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $63
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $63
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $65
- Private Cooking Class and Meal in Local Wynberg Cape Town Home: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $47Cape Town $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Village Visit$16
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
- Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $95
- Hells Gate Park & Lake Naivasha boat ride Day tour: $150
- Lake Naivasha Full day Tour With Boat Rides: $156
- Nairobi park Tour 6.A.M-11.AM: $70
- Private Tour Nairobi national park & Giraffe Centre: $120
- The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
- 1 Day Hiking Adventure At Mt Longonot From Nairobi(minimum 2 Pax): $225
- 1 Day Tour Hiking Mt. Longonot and lake Naivasha Boat ride : $75
- 1 Day Tour Nairobi National Park,Giraffe Center&Karen Blixen: $50
- 12-Hour Private Tour to Amboseli National Park: $220
- 1Day Ngong Hills Hiking ang Zip Line Adventure: $100
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: $140
- Bespoke Tour : Cape Point , Table Mountain & Penguin Colony : $261
- Cape Agulhas Full Day Private Tour: $198
- Cape Point Full Day Tour: $198
- Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope day tour Up to 10 persons: $67
- Cape Town - Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens and City Tour: $300
- Cape Town Two Oceans Scenic Helicopter Experience : $268
- Cape Winelands Tour to Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl: $99
- Long Walk to Freedom in Robben Island including Ticket & Afrogem: $160
- Mandela's Robben Island Museum Bo-Kaap Cape Town City Tour + Ferry ticket f/d: $168
- Penguins Boulders Beach and Cape Point Small Group Day Tour: $68
- Private Cape Peninsula Tour : $117
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Cape 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: $7.30
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.83
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $25
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $39
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $39
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $40
- Half day Wine Tour: $43
- Three Region Wine Tour: $45
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $48
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $51
- Fullday Wine Tour: $52
- From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Nairobi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Nairobi. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.
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.