Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Osaka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Osaka or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Osaka 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: Osaka or Cape Town?
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, 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 dayOsaka $88Cape Town $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Osaka is $88, 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 Osaka and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOsaka $45Cape Town $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOsaka $90Cape Town $78
Compare Hotels in Osaka and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Osaka 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: Osaka Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Osaka $14Cape Town $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Universal Studios Japan Entry Pass & Shared 1-way Transfer: $100
- Transfer from Osaka to Universal Studios: $163
- Shared Departure Transfer: Osaka City to Osaka Itami Airport: $26
- Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $69
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $26
- Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $110
- Private transfer service from Osaka to /from Wakayama.: $424
- Private transfer service from Osaka to /from Nara: $215
- Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $129
- Private arrival transfer from Kansai airport to Kobe City & Arima Onsen: $95
- Private arrival Transfer from Osaka Itami Airport(ITM) to central Osaka city: $122
- Private Transfer from Osaka hotels to Osaka Cruise Port: $72
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 Osaka or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Osaka 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 dayOsaka $25Cape Town $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki DIY Cooking in the Heart of Osaka: $23
- Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $26
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $37
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $47
- Nosatlgic Namba Osaka Street Food Tour.: $48
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $50
- Home Cooking Class: $51
- Homemade Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka: $51
- Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $60
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $63
- Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
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.Osaka $20Cape Town $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Dotonbori Nightscapes: Photoshooting tour in Dotonbori": $120
- "Experience Kyoto: A Full-Day Private Tour Adventure": $120
- 1-Day walking tour in Osakaļ¼Castle, temples and Ukiyoe: $139
- 150 mins Deep Samurai Experience near Osaka Castle: $184
- 2-Hour Kendo Experience with English Instructor In Osaka Japan: $120
- 2-Hour Osaka Go-Kart Experience with Local Guide from Namba: $142
- 3 Days Private Osaka Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Driver: $1,634
- 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $33
- 3-Hour Osaka Local food Hopping tour in Namba: $40
- 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $120
- 4-Day Private Kyoto Osaka Nara Sightseeing tour with Guide: $2,453
- 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $73
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 dayOsaka $12Cape Town $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Born & Raised Local Guide: $31
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $33
- Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $39
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $40
- 3 Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Namba : $52
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 comparing the travel costs between Osaka and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Osaka is in Asia and Cape Town is in Africa, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Osaka Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Osaka or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Osaka. When comparing the sizes of Osaka 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 Osaka 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 Osaka has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Osaka or Cape Town in the Summer?
Both Cape Town and Osaka are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Osaka in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Osaka is generally a little warmer than Cape Townin January. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 28°C (82°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. Osaka usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during summer. Osaka gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Osaka. In July, Osaka usually receives more rain than Cape Townin January. Osaka gets 157 mm (6.2 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 JanuaryOsaka 28°C (82°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Cape Town in the Autumn?
Both Cape Town and Osaka during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Osaka is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the autumn. The daily temperature in Osaka averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.
In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Osaka often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin April. Osaka gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. Osaka usually gets more rain in October than Cape Townin April. Osaka gets 108 mm (4.3 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 AprilOsaka 19°C (66°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Cape Town in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Osaka and Cape Town. The winter months attract visitors to Osaka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Osaka is much colder than Cape Town. Typically, the winter temperatures in Osaka in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Cape Town averages at about 13°C (55°F)in July.
Osaka usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during winter. Osaka gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Osaka usually receives less rain than Cape Townin July. Osaka gets 46 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 JulyOsaka 6°C (42°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Osaka or Cape Town in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Osaka as well as Cape Town. The activities around the city are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
In April, Osaka is generally around the same temperature as Cape Townin October. Daily temperatures in Osaka average around 15°C (59°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. In the spring, Osaka often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin October. Osaka gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun.
Osaka receives a lot of rain in the spring. Osaka usually gets more rain in April than Cape Townin October. Osaka gets 137 mm (5.4 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 OctoberOsaka 15°C (59°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Osaka
| Osaka | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.