A Travel Price Comparison for South Africa Port Elizabeth vs. Cape Town for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth 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: Port Elizabeth or Cape Town?

Port Elizabeth

Located on the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, Port Elizabeth is a major sea port and tourist destination featuring a pleasant climate, opportunities for water sports, historical landmarks, wildlife areas, and clean beaches.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Port Elizabeth?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Port Elizabeth is $44, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $96. 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 Port Elizabeth and Cape Town in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Port Elizabeth $23
    Cape Town $38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Port Elizabeth $46
    Cape Town $76
Compare Hotels in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town

Looking for a hotel in Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth


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: Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Port Elizabeth $9.49
    Cape Town $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

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

  • Airport Transfers: $11
  • Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $15
  • Private Shuttle Transport Transfer from Airport to Cape Town City Center (CBD): $15
  • Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Cape Town City Center (CBD): $15
  • Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Claremont Cape Town : $15
  • Private Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Airport: $16
  • Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $16
  • Shuttle Transport Transfer from Camps Bay to Cape Town Airport: $16
  • Private Transfer Cape Town Airport to or from From Cape Town: $17
  • Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $18
  • Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $18
  • Hotel to airport transfers from Cape Town to Cape Town International Airport: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Port Elizabeth or Cape Town?

Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Port Elizabeth 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
    Port Elizabeth $13
    Cape Town $41

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: $27
  • Cape Malay Cooking with a Chef Founder: $28
  • African Cooking with a Chef Founder: $28
  • Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $37
  • 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $42
  • Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $49
  • Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $49
  • Cape Town Storytelling Dinner Experience: $50
  • African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $51
  • African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $52
  • African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $57
  • Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Port Elizabeth $9.30
    Cape Town $22

Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Port Elizabeth are as follows:

  • From 5-Day Garden Route Tour to Cape Town: $585
  • Port Elizabeth City Walking Tour: $34
  • Addo Elephant Park Safari Full-Day Tour: $110
  • City Sightseeing & Open-Vehicle Safari Tour: $116

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

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

  • African Cuisine Food & Beer Tasting Experience: $2.63
  • District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $2.90
  • Skip the Line: The Castle of Good Hope Admission Ticket: $3.25
  • Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.26
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $3.79
  • Cape Town 30-minute V&A Harbour Cruise: $3.79
  • V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
  • Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.30
  • Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.30
  • 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
  • Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Return Ticket : $5.22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Port Elizabeth $2.56
    Cape Town $20

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: $7.05
  • Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.49
  • African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $24
  • Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $24
  • Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
  • From 3 Regions Wine Tour incl 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $35
  • Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $36
  • Half Day Constantia Wine Tour: $38
  • Wine tasting experience : $46
  • Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $46
  • Short Private Wine Tour: $49
  • Fullday Wine Tour: $50

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Port Elizabeth or Cape Town?

Cape Town is bigger, and its population is about 3.5 times larger than the population of Port Elizabeth. When comparing the population of Port Elizabeth vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Port Elizabeth or Cape Town?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Cape Town in the Summer?

Both Cape Town and Port Elizabeth during the summer are popular places to visit.

Port Elizabeth is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Port Elizabeth averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Port Elizabeth. In the summer, Port Elizabeth often gets less sunshine than Cape Town. Port Elizabeth gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.

Port Elizabeth usually gets more rain in January than Cape Town. Port Elizabeth gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Port Elizabeth 22°C (72°F) 
    Cape Town 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Cape Town in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

In the autumn, Port Elizabeth is around the same temperature as Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Port Elizabeth in April average around 19°C (66°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In Port Elizabeth, it's very sunny this time of the year. Port Elizabeth usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Town during autumn. Port Elizabeth gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Port Elizabeth usually receives more rain than Cape Town. Port Elizabeth gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Port Elizabeth 19°C (66°F) 
    Cape Town 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Cape Town in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Port Elizabeth as well as Cape Town.

In July, Port Elizabeth is generally a little warmer than Cape Town. Daily temperatures in Port Elizabeth average around 15°C (58°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Port Elizabeth this time of the year. In the winter, Port Elizabeth often gets more sunshine than Cape Town. Port Elizabeth gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.

Port Elizabeth usually gets less rain in July than Cape Town. Port Elizabeth gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Port Elizabeth 15°C (58°F) 
    Cape Town 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Cape Town in the Spring?

Both Cape Town and Port Elizabeth are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Port Elizabeth is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Port Elizabeth averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Cape Town. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during spring. Port Elizabeth gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Port Elizabeth usually receives more rain than Cape Town. Port Elizabeth gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Port Elizabeth 17°C (63°F) 
    Cape Town 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Cape Town and Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth Cape Town
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 22°C (72°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 19°C (66°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (56°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Jul 15°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 19°C (65°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 21°C (69°F) 34 mm (1.3 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.
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Port Elizabeth vs. Cape Town Travel Comparison

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