Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Zagora?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Zagora or Cape Town?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Zagora or Cape Town? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Zagora or Cape Town?
Zagora
A small town in southern Morocco, Zagora is a popular base camp for excursions on foot, by camel, or four wheel drive vehicles into the surrounding desert. One of the most famous and historic treks is the ancient caravan route to Timbuktu, marked by a famous sign at the end of town - indicating a journey of "52 days" by camel.
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 Adventure Tours to Morocco, The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagora $50Cape Town $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagora is $50, 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 Zagora and Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagora $36Cape Town $38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagora $72Cape Town $76
Compare Hotels in Zagora and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Zagora 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: Zagora Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagora $1.42Cape Town $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagora
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagora:
- Airport Private Transfer: $35
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 Transfer to Cape Town Cruise Terminal: $17
- Shuttle Transport Transfer from Cape Town City Center (CBD) to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $17
- Transport Shuttle Transfer from Constantia to Cape Town Airport: $17
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Muizenberg Cape Town : $17
- Private Transfer Cape Town Airport to or from From Cape Town: $19
- Cape Town Airport (CPT) to Cape Town - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
- Private Airport Transfers: $21
- Shopping Mall Transfers: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Zagora or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Zagora 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 dayZagora $13Cape 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
- African Cooking with a Chef Founder: $27
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $39
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $41
- 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
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $73
- South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
- Cape Town Food tour with locals: $100
- The Cape Town Essentials Food Tour: $106
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zagora $2.85Cape Town $23
Tours and Activities in Zagora
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zagora are as follows:
- 2 Days Tour to Zagora Desert with sunset from Marrakech: $82
- 2 days tour from Zagora to Erg Chegaga: $136
- From Agadir 4 Days 3 night Désert Tours to Marrakech: $1,326
- From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $353
- From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $356
- From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $376
- From 2-Day Desert Tour to Erg Chegaga: $288
- Marrakech: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour Zagora & BenHaddou: $111
- Private Day Camel Trekking Tour in Draa Valley from Zagora: $214
- Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $164
- Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $164
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
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.24
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.24
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Private Guided Tour of Cape Town Diamond Museum: $5.18
- Intaka Island Kayak Tour: $5.18
- The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap: $5.34
- Harbor Cruise: $5.39
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayZagora -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:
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.36
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $19
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $27
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $37
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $37
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $47
- Fullday Wine Tour: $49
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $50
- Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $52
- Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Wine Tram: $61
- Wine Tasting Private Tour through Durbanville Winelands: $64
- Cape Town Tour with wine tasting.Full day peninsula tour.: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagora and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Zagora much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zagora would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zagora 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 Zagora.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagora Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zagora or Cape Town?
Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Zagora. When comparing the sizes of Zagora 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.