Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Oslo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Oslo or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo 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: Oslo or Cape Town?
Oslo
Oslo is not only the largest city in Norway, and also its capital. It also holds the title as the most expensive city in the world. Oslo is a unique capital city in that its boundaries include much forest and wildlife. The city itself is nestled in an amphitheater type setting. The city's core is in the bottom by the fjord, and the residential areas stretch uphill away from the downtown area.
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 Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway, 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 dayOslo $137Cape Town $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Oslo is $137, 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 Oslo and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOslo $81Cape Town $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOslo $162Cape Town $78
Compare Hotels in Oslo and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Oslo 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: Oslo Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Oslo $23Cape Town $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oslo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Oslo are as follows:
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Tram Ticket$6.61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oslo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oslo:
- Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim- Round-Trip Transfer: $81
- Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim - Arrival Transfer : $41
- Trondheim Private Transfer from Trondheim (TRD) Airport to City centre: $215
- Round-Trip Private Transfer Oslo Airport OSL to Oslo City by Business Car: $228
- Private Transfer from Oslo City Centre to Oslo Airport: $142
- Private Transfer from Oslo Airport to Oslo Cruise Port: $90
- Private Transfer from Oslo Airport to Oslo City Centre: $153
- Private Transfer from Olso Airport to Olso Hotels: $82
- Private Oslo Airport and City Transfers: $164
- Private One-way Airport Transfer (Oslo Airport To/From Oslo): $89
- Transfer Between Oslo City Center & Gardermoen Airport: $256
- Oslo hotels to Oslo Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers: $11
- Private Airport Transfers in Cape Town- One way/Round Trips: $16
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Exclusive Cape Town Airport and Cruise Terminal Transfers: $18
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $18
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Muizenberg Cape Town : $18
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $18
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Constantia: $18
- Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $18
- 24 hour Private Airport Shuttle and Transfer CBD: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Oslo or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Oslo 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 dayOslo $30Cape Town $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oslo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Oslo.
- Oslofjord Cruise with Seafood Dinner: $59
- Oslo Alternative Culture and Street Food Tour: $73
- Christmas Street Food Tour with Akevitt and Christmas beer : $111
- 3-course Dinner Cruise in the Oslofjord: $119
- Oslo Fjord 3 Course Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $119
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.Oslo $19Cape Town $23
Tours and Activities in Oslo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Oslo are as follows:
- 2 Hour Sea Kayak Tour on Oslofjord from Central Oslo: $92
- 2.hr Oslo Kayak Tour “Fjord City”: $92
- 2hr Retro Motorcycle Sidecar Oslo Highlights Tour: $212
- 4 hours Winter View of the Oslofjord Walk Tour : $149
- A Self-Guided Tour of Akershus to Kongen Marina Waterfront: $7.99
- Akerselva River Kayak Tour; An Urban Paddling Adventure: $92
- Akerselva River Tour : $92
- An Oslo Waterfront Stroll: Self-paced Audio Tour: $7.99
- Authentic Oslo bike tour: $44
- City Sightseeing Oslo Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $45
- Digging up the Past in Røros: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Discover Christmas Spirit in Oslo Walking Tour: $27
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $2.99
- District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $3.24
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.60
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- Cape Town 30-minute V&A Harbour Cruise: $4.15
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.15
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.35
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.35
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $5.00
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: Amble along the amazing False Bay Coast on an audio tour: $5.20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOslo $11Cape 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 Oslo and Cape Town, we can see that Oslo is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oslo 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 Oslo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oslo 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 Oslo Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Oslo or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Oslo 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 Oslo 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 Oslo has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Oslo or Cape Town in the Summer?
Both Cape Town and Oslo during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Oslo is cooler than Cape Town. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oslo in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Cape Town averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.
In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Oslo. In the summer, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin January. Oslo gets 246 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.
Oslo usually gets more rain in July than Cape Townin January. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryOslo 18°C (64°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Oslo or Cape Town in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Cape Town. Most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Oslo is generally much colder than Cape Townin April. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 7°C (45°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during autumn. Oslo gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Oslo usually receives more rain than Cape Townin April. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilOslo 7°C (45°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Oslo or Cape Town in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Cape Town. The winter months attract visitors to Oslo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Oslo can be very cold. Oslo is much colder than Cape Town in the winter. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.
In the winter, Oslo often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin July. Oslo gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.
Oslo usually gets less rain in January than Cape Townin July. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyOslo -4°C (25°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Oslo or Cape Town in the Spring?
Both Cape Town and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.
In the spring, Oslo is much colder than Cape Town. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oslo in April average around 6°C (42°F), and Cape Town averages at about 16°C (61°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. Oslo usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during spring. Oslo gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Oslo usually receives more rain than Cape Townin October. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberOslo 6°C (42°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Oslo
| Oslo | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (25°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (26°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (33°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (42°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (61°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (35°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 56 mm (2.2 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.