Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Santorini?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Santorini or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini 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: Santorini or Cape Town?
Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.
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 Contiki Tours to Greece, The Best G Adventures Tours to Greece, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
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Santorini Prices
Greece PricesCape Town Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantorini €250Cape Town €153
The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €250, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is €153. 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 Santorini and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantorini €118Cape Town €71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantorini €236Cape Town €142
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Santorini 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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santorini €35Cape Town €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini
Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wine Tasting Tour to 3 Wineries with Transfer: $128
- Transfer from Santorini Port to Oia (IA): $36
- Roundtrip Transfer To Oia: $59
- Private Sunset Tour with Picnic & Transfer: $178
- Private Airport and Port Transfer Service: $36
- Private Airport Transfer: $30
- One-Way Transfer to/from the Port or Airport: $17
- Caldera Cruise with Greek Meal and Transfer: $178
- Airport, Port, and Hotels Private Transfer: $42
- Airport or Port One-Way Private Transfer: $33
- Santorini to Mykonos: Ferry Ticket & Hotel Transfer: $139
- Santorini to Heraklion Crete: Ferry Ticket & Hotel Transfer: $136
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Aquila Safari and Cheese & Wine Tasting with Private Transfers: $300
- Full Day Private Chauffeur and Transfer Services in Cape Town: $300
- Shark Cage Diving & Penguins Tour to Gansbaai with private transfers: $292
- Cape Peninsula and Boulders Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $274
- Full day Cape Point + Constantia Wine Tour with Private Transfer: $274
- Stellenbosch Winelands Connoisseur Day Tour with Private Transfer: $273
- Full Day Big Five Safari Tour from Cape Town with Transfers: $271
- Aquila Safari Game Drive, Lunch & Shared Transfers from Cape Town: $268
- West Coast Wonders Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $253
- Helderberg Valley Winelands Day Tour with Private Transfer: $253
- Hermanus Wine Tour (Full Day Including Cape Town Transfers): $247
- Durbanville Valley Winelands Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $242
Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Santorini 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 daySantorini €96Cape Town €66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini
For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $77
- Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $77
- Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $77
- Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music: $94
- Cooking Class with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $95
- Volcano and Hot Springs Sunset Dinner Cruise: $107
- Hands on Cooking Class with a Chef: $141
- Sunset Sea Kayak with Light Dinner: $142
- Luxury Sunset Cruise with Dinner, BBQ, and Drinks: $149
- Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, Dinner, and Drinks: $158
- Sunset Cruise with Greek Dinner and Transfer: $178
- Luxury Sunset Cruise with Dinner & Open Bar: $180
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: $30
- Private Indonesian & Cape Malay Cultural Cooking Class : $71
- From African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $72
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $75
- Cape Malay/Creole Cooking Class and Local Shopping in Salt River: $77
- South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
- Sunset At Signal Hill Constantia Wine Tasting and Dinner: $83
- Cape Town African Taste-Safari & Live Entertainment Dinner Experience: $88
- Private Authentic Cape Malay Cooking Class in Manenberg with Locals: $92
- Food Tour in “Little Mogadishu,” Bellville, Cape Town: $94
- Half Day Cape Town African Dinner Restaurant with Live Music Show: $98
- Private Cape Malay Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santorini €35Cape Town €21
Tours and Activities in Santorini
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.
- 5-h My Santorini Private Tailor Made Tour: $208
- 6-h Best of Santorini Sightseeing Guided Tour: $166
- Accessible Santorini Private Tour: $678
- Archaeological Bus Tour To Akrotiri Excavations & Red Beach: $58
- Best of Santorini Full-Day Private Guided Tour: $711
- Cruise Traveller's Shore Excursion: $261
- Discover Santorini with a 5 Hour Private Deluxe Tour: $237
- Discover Prehistoric Akrotiri & Winery Tour: $225
- Exclusive Catamaran Sailing Adventure, BBQ & drinks on board: $1,543
- Explore Santorini's Waters: Kayak Rental Adventure: $24
- Explore the Best of Santorini in a Day: Private Guided Tour: $297
- Ferry Tickets between Santorini and Crete Heraklion: $122
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Days Private Guided Tour in Cape Town: $295
- 3 Wineries Private Tour in Stellenbosch, Paarl Tasting Included: $148
- Cape Agulhas Full Day Private Tour: $208
- Cape Agulhas, Hermanus Stony Point Penguins Colony Tour : $230
- Cape Point Full Day Tour: $206
- Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Penguins Experience: $88
- Cape Town - Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens and City Tour: $300
- Cape Town Central wine and cheese pairing private Tour Drive : $224
- Cape Town Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour: $33
- Cape Town, Destination for Wine and galery Lovers Private Tour: $283
- Cape Winelands From Cape Town Private Day Tour: $175
- Cape Winelands Tour to Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantorini €25Cape Town €19
Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini
Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset: $57
- Santorini Highlights Tour with Wine Tasting option: $81
- Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $83
- Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia: $111
- Wine Tasting and Cave Settlement Tour: $148
- Wine tasting in 3 Wineries and a Greek Meal group: $178
- Guided Tour to 3 Wineries with Wine Tastings: $178
- Tour of Wineries with Wine Tasting & Food: $178
- Wine Tasting Tour with Snacks: $190
- Three Wineries and One Brewery Tour with Tastings: $190
- Guided Wine Tour with Pickup and Snacks: $196
- Guided Wineries Private Tour with Wine Tastings: $196
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:
- Stellenbosch Small Group Wine Tasting Tour From Cape Town: $2.65
- Distillery Tour, rum and gin tasting: $12
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $14
- Craft Gin Tasting Experience and Distillery Tour: $14
- Indigenous Food and Wine Tasting: $26
- Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $28
- Urban Wine Tasting: $30
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $30
- Cape Town Hop- On Hop -Off Tour and Groot Constantia Wine Tasting: $31
- Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Babylonstoren Wine Tour: $38
- Wine Tour at Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl: $46
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Cape Town, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini 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 Santorini Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santorini or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the sizes of Santorini 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.