Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Port Elizabeth?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in South Africa, The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in South Africa, and The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPort Elizabeth $44Cape Town $96
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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPort Elizabeth $23Cape Town $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPort Elizabeth $46Cape 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Port Elizabeth $9.56Cape Town $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfers in Cape Town- One way/Round Trips: $15
- 24 hour Private Airport Shuttle and Transfer CBD: $16
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $16
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Claremont Cape Town : $17
- Airport Transfer to Cape Town Cruise Terminal: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Cape Town City Center (CBD): $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Claremont to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $17
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Muizenberg Cape Town : $17
- Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Constantia: $18
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
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Food Meals for one dayPort Elizabeth $14Cape 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:
- Cape Malay Cooking with a Chef Founder: $27
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $39
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $41
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $54
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $54
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $57
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $58
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $60
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $60
- From CapeTown: African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $60
- Cruise and Dine Dinner / Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $68
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $73
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Port Elizabeth $9.37Cape Town $23
Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Port Elizabeth are as follows:
- 7 Day Garden Route Tour- Durban to Cape Town via Addo N Park: $1,543
- Addo Elephant Park Tours .: $175
- From 5-Day Garden Route Tour to Cape Town: $543
- Port Elizabeth City Walking Tour: $44
- Port Elizabeth tuk-tuk tour, experience the natural beauty.: $70
- Cape Recife Safari and City Sightseeing Tour: $140
- Xhosa Township/Cultural Experience: $127
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: $3.11
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.48
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.01
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.28
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.28
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Return Ticket : $5.15
- Intaka Island Kayak Tour: $5.18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPort Elizabeth $2.58Cape 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: $6.96
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.43
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $19
- Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $24
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
- Wine tasting tour : $36
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $37
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $37
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $45
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $47
- Fullday Wine Tour: $49
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $50
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Port Elizabeth Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Port Elizabeth or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Port Elizabeth. When comparing the sizes of Port Elizabeth 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 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPort 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPort 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPort 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPort 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.