Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Seoul?
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 Seoul or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Cape Town can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Cape Town?
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
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Seoul Prices
South Korea PricesCape Town Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $124Cape Town $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $124, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $167. 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 Seoul and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $52Cape Town $77
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $104Cape Town $154
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Seoul 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: Seoul Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seoul $15Cape Town $17
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.48
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Short Taxi Ride$4.87
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Metro Ride$0.94
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Seoul City Pass Plus$6.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- [Cherry blossom]Gyeongju Tour from SEOUL transfer to BUSAN: $101
- Transfer Service from Gimpo Airport to Hotel City: $57
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport (1-12pax): $164
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $98
- Everland Theme Park Admission Ticket with Transfer: $60
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) - Departure Private Transfer: $77
- Seoul to Incheong Airport ICN Private Taxi Shuttle Transfer : $23
- Seoul Incheon Airport ICN to Seoul - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $60
- Seoul Airport: Private Departure Transfer from Seoul City Center: $108
- Private transfer from Seoul hotel to Seoul Station and so on: $133
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers: $11
- CPT Airport to Downtown|Stellenbosch Private Transfer: $11
- Private Luxury Airport Transfer up to 10 Passengers: $16
- Airport Shuttle Transfer from Airport to Cape Town City Center : $17
- Cruise Terminal Shuttle Transfer to Cape Town Airport : $17
- Transfer from Cape Town City Center to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Cape Town Airport and Hotel Private Transfers: $18
- Cape Town Cruise Terminal to and from Hotels Transfer: $18
- Private Transfer from Cape Town Port to Cape Town Airport (CPT): $18
- Private Transfer from Cape Town Airport (CPT) to Cape Town Port : $18
- Durbanville Wine Valley Group Tour with Transfer: $19
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Seoul 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 daySeoul $50Cape Town $72
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.17
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Waffle$0.70
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Dippin' Dots$1.39
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.82
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Chicken Stick$1.39
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.32
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Lunch Buffet$4.17
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Donut$0.70
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Mushroom Burger$3.61
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.29
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Udon & Sushi$4.87
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Fresh Burger$3.34
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.13
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.48
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Fried Rice$3.82
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.60
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.60
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Donut$1.74
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $49
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Korean Grandma Cooking Class l Gimbap & Kimchi Pancake l Seoul: $52
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $53
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Sunset Walking Tour in Naksan Park with Dinner: $63
- Half Day Seoul Afternoon Food Tour and visit 3 landMarks of Seoul: $67
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
- Namdaemun Market Food Tour: $70
- Hidden Stories & Flavors Market Food Tour: $70
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: $29
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $41
- Malay Cooking Class and Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $44
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $56
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $60
- Sunset At Signal Hill Constantia Wine Tasting and Dinner: $62
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $62
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $63
- Taste of African Food Tour with a Local Guide: $66
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $70
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $71
- Cape Malay Dinner at SPYCED: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $25Cape Town $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.56
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Movie Ticket$5.56
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Kimchi Museum$2.09
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- DMZ, Eunpyeong village and Jinkwansa Temple Private Tour : $213
- Dongdaemun SPAREX Jimjilbang Sauna Admission Ticket (내국인불가): $11
- Full Day Tour Jeonju Hanok Village, Wansan Park and Gakwonsa: $71
- Gyeongbokgung Palace & Bukchon Village Walking Tour : $66
- Private Tour Nami Island with Petite France 'and/or' The Garden of Morning Calm: $192
- Private Unesco Tour in Seoul with Guide : $241
- Yeouido Hangang Park Tour with Minivan Transportation: $51
- 1 Day Private Full DMZ Tour in Seoul with Crystal Gondola: $220
- 2 Hours Seoul Private Walking Tour Including Pick up: $56
- 20 Seoul Landmark Tour: 6-Hour Walking Experience in Seoul: $89
- 2D 1N Phoenix Pyeongchang Reseot Stay + Trout Ice-Fishing Festival Tour: $144
- 3-Hour Self-guided Sokcho Tour with Private Transportation: $33
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Tour of Top 5 Stellenbosch Wineries From Cape Town: $2.53
- Cape Peninsula Sightseeing Small Group Tour from Cape Town: $2.53
- Cape Peninsula Half Day Tour From Cape Town Travel Choice Award: $2.53
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.67
- 30 Minute Harbour Boat Cruise with Seal Watching: $3.81
- Half Hour Seal and Harbour Cruise from Cape Town: $3.93
- District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $4.00
- 30 Minute Seal-Watching Harbour Cruise: $4.00
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.45
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.48
- Cape Town 30-minute V&A Harbour Cruise: $4.77
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.77
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $12Cape Town $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $22
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $25
- Award-Winning Cocktails & Dazzling Drag Show: HBC Pub Crawl: $29
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $42
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $46
- Korean Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $60
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $60
- Itaewon Premium Pub Crawl with Limitless Drinks: $64
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $79
- Anthony Bourdain-Featured BBQ, Market, & Pub Tour: $130
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:
- Whale Watching Wine Tasting and Penguins From Cape Town - Private Tour: $2.53
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $13
- Deep South Distillery Gin Tasting Experience: $13
- Craft Gin Tasting Experience and Distillery Tour: $14
- Indigenous Food and Wine Tasting: $25
- Cape Town Hostel Pub Crawl & LinkUps: $28
- Wine Tour at Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl: $36
- Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Babylonstoren Wine Tour: $37
- Stellenbosch and Paarl Half-Day Wine Tour: $38
- Private Cape Town Wine Tour 3 Tastings, Lunch and Expert Guide: $41
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $41
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Seoul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Seoul is in Asia 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 Seoul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seoul 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 Seoul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Seoul Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Cape Town?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cape Town. When comparing the sizes of Seoul 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 Seoul 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 Seoul has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Seoul or Cape Town in the Summer?
Both Cape Town and Seoul during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Seoul is a little warmer than Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Seoul often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin January. Seoul gets 121 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Seoul. Seoul usually gets more rain in July than Cape Townin January. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 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 JanuarySeoul 26°C (78°F)Cape Town 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Cape Town in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Seoul and Cape Town. The autumn months attract visitors to Seoul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Seoul is cooler than Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Seoul in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In Seoul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Seoul usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during autumn. Seoul gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Seoul usually receives more rain than Cape Townin April. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 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 AprilSeoul 15°C (59°F)Cape Town 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Cape Town in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Cape Town. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
It's quite cold in Seoul in the winter. In January, Seoul is generally much colder than Cape Townin July. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around -3°C (27°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the winter, Seoul often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin July. Seoul gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun.
Seoul usually gets less rain in January than Cape Townin July. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 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 JulySeoul -3°C (27°F)Cape Town 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Cape Town in the Spring?
Both Cape Town and Seoul are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Seoul for the activities around the city.
Seoul is cooler than Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Cape Town. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seoul. Seoul usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during spring. Seoul gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Seoul usually receives more rain than Cape Townin October. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 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 OctoberSeoul 13°C (55°F)Cape Town 16°C (61°F)
Typical Weather for Cape Town and Seoul
| Seoul | Cape Town | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.