Is Cape Town expensive to visit?
Cape Town is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $171. If we compare it to the rest of Africa, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in Africa for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Serengeti National Park and Arusha.
The view from Table Mountain, Cape Town
How expensive is Cape Town?
Travelers spend an average of $171 per day when visiting Cape Town (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Cape Town here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Cape Town?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Cape Town costs around $513 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,027.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Cape Town?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Cape Town will cost around $1,198 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $2,396.
Cape Town, South Africa
Is it expensive to backpack in Cape Town?
Cape Town is a popular backpacker destination with more than 40 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $19 per night. (See hostel prices in Cape Town here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $34 and the cheapest around $9 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Cape Town.
- $28 for a dorm bed at Villa Viva Cape Town
- $19 for a dorm bed at Ashanti Lodge Gardens
- $15 for a dorm bed at 91 Loop
Are hotels expensive in Cape Town?
If you're considering hotel prices in Cape Town, you'll find them to be notably budget-friendly in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $79. In Cape Town, there are about 73 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $218. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $75 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $37 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Cape Town
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 73 | $218 |
| 4 stars | 293 | $105 |
| 3 stars | 261 | $75 |
| 2 stars | 29 | $37 |
| 1 star | 39 | $68 |
| No rating | 7 | $56 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Cape Town?
In Cape Town, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $23 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $17.
- Township Walking Tour: $44
- Private Day tour of the Cape. Our reviews show why people book!: $129
- Table Mountain Private Hike Tour of Kasteelpoort Route from Cape Town: $159
- Chapmans Peak Sunset Trike Tour from Cape Town: $182
- Cape Peninsula Private tour: $140
- Full Day Cape of Good Hope & Boulder's Beach Penguin Private Tour: $106
- Full-Day Cape Winelands Tour: $157
- Cape Winelands Private Tour: $263
Is food expensive in Cape Town?
In Cape Town, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $74 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $35.
- Private Cape Malay Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $100
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $69
- Cape Town Shore Excursion| South African Cooking & Port Transfers: $106
- South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
- Private Indonesian Asian Cape Malay Cultural Cooking Class : $95
- Cape Town Shore Excursion - Cape Malay Cooking with Port Transfer: $106
Is transportation expensive in Cape Town?
The prices of local transportation in Cape Town can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $17 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $16. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Cape Town
If you're planning a trip to Cape Town, South Africa, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.