Cape Town travel budget

Cape Town: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Cape Town

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Cape Town for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 42 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 8.2 per person
  • $ 4.6 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 936* (16870 ZAR)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 75 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 21 per person
  • $ 9.4 per person
  • $ 6.6 per person

Total budget:

$ 2064* (37226 ZAR)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 116 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 36 per person
  • $ 19 per person
  • $ 14 per person

Total budget:

$ 3521* (63490 ZAR)

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Cape Town compared to United States in 2024

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Cape Town in 2024 is 46% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Cape Town in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):




Local prices in Cape Town by expense type

Restaurant budget in Cape Town

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Cape Town is 56% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 8.3/person
($ 5.6 to $ 14)

57% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 21/person
($ 14 to $ 34)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 5/person
($ 4.4 to $ 5.6)

53% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 2.5 for 500ml
($ 1.7 to $ 3.9)

57% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 1.6 for 330ml
($ 0.9 to $ 3.1)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 2.1/cup
($ 1.4 to $ 2.7)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 0.9/can
($ 0.7 to $ 1.6)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.7/bottle
($ 0.5 to $ 1.2)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Cape Town

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Cape Town is 43% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 86/night
($ 41 to $ 344)

49% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 63/night
($ 22 to $ 291)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 152
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 87/night
($ 21 to $ 451)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 145/night
($ 38 to $ 841)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 305
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 358/night
($ 33 to $ 1524)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 437
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 60/month
($ 24 to $ 150)

63% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 163
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 126/month
($ 23 to $ 791)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 237
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 126/month
($ 28 to $ 584)

38% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 204
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 95/month
($ 27 to $ 217)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221
Family room
Family room
$ 225/month
($ 44 to $ 1282)

12% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 202

Supermarket food budget in Cape Town

On average, the price of supermarket food in Cape Town is 52% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.6)

7% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 1.1/500g
($ 0.7 to $ 1.3)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Rice
Rice
$ 1.7/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 2.2)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 2.4/12 eggs
($ 1.6 to $ 3.4)

32% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Chicken
Chicken
$ 5/kg
($ 3.4 to $ 7.2)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 1.6/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 1.9)

69% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 1.5/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 1.9)

68% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 1.2/kg
($ 0.5 to $ 2.5)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.9
($ 0.7 to $ 1.2)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Cape Town

On average, the price of transport in Cape Town is 35% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 1.2/ticket
($ 0.8 to $ 1.7)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.1/km
($ 0.6 to $ 1.7)

40% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.3/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.5)

40% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 1.4
($ 0.5 to $ 1.9)

63% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Car hire
Car hire
$ 29/24hrs
($ 17 to $ 43)

59% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

Leisure activity budget in Cape Town

On average, budget for leisure activities in Cape Town is 58% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 6.6/ticket
($ 4.7 to $ 11)

51% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 7.2/hr
($ 2.7 to $ 14)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Cape Town

On average, shopping budget in Cape Town is 32% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 2.8/pack
($ 2.5 to $ 3.6)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 53
($ 34 to $ 68)

2% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 31
($ 19 to $ 46)

28% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 43

Plane ticket budget

Melbourne → Cape Town
Melbourne → Cape Town
Melbourne → Cape Town
$ 1431
(fair price: $ 1201)
Edinburgh → Cape Town
Edinburgh → Cape Town
Edinburgh → Cape Town
$ 995
(fair price: $ 845)
London → Cape Town
London → Cape Town
London → Cape Town
$ 1127
(fair price: $ 853)
Dublin → Cape Town
Dublin → Cape Town
Dublin → Cape Town
$ 891
(fair price: $ 785)
Sydney → Cape Town
Sydney → Cape Town
Sydney → Cape Town
$ 1490
(fair price: $ 1256)
New York City → Cape Town
New York City → Cape Town
New York City → Cape Town
$ 1252
(fair price: $ 1084)

Book a flight Flight prices to Cape Town




About this information on the cost of living in Cape Town

The information about the cost of living in Cape Town shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Cape Town was updated on 10-11-2024.

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