How Much Does Cape Town Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Cape Town offers a diverse financial landscape, where daily expenses range from $84 / R1,350 for budget-conscious travelers to over $367 / R5,934 for those seeking high-end luxury. While the city provides exceptional value for dining and drinking compared to major European or North American hubs, costs are heavily influenced by the wide gap between local amenities and international tourist attractions. Visitors will find that everyday items like domestic beers at $3.11 / R50 are affordable, whereas iconic excursions like the Robben Island tour at $37 are priced specifically for the global market. The choice between staying in a modern hostel dorm at $17 / R278 or a premium waterfront suite can drastically shift the overall budget. Ultimately, the city remains a destination where a moderate spend allows for a high quality of life, provided one navigates the seasonal price fluctuations.
Is Cape Town expensive to visit?
Cape Town is generally affordable for international visitors, with daily budgets ranging from $84 / R1,350 to $367 / R5,934 depending on the level of luxury desired.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Cape Town
$84
per person /day
$174
per person /day
$367
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $251 | $523 | $1,102 |
| 5-Day Trip | $418 | $871 | $1,836 |
| 7-Day Trip | $585 | $1,219 | $2,571 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A budget buffer of 15% is advisable to cover the standard 10–15% restaurant tip and small cash gratuities. This should also account for the 1% TOMSA Tourism Levy found on accommodation bills and the customary $0.59–$1.18 / R9.51–R19 tips for petrol attendants and car guards.
How Does It Compare?
See how Cape Town stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Cape Town
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant Think casual cafes or burger joints. Approx. $12 / R200. | $12 R200 |
| Mid-range 3-Course Dinner for Two Excludes wine. Roughly $25 per person. | $50 R802 |
| Pint of Domestic Beer (Draught) Standard price in most local pubs. Approx. $3.06 / R49. | $3.11 R50 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport Taxi (Official Touchdown Taxis) Safe and reliable. Uber is cheaper at ~$15 / R247 (R250) but requires using the app. | $25 R401 |
| MyCiTi 1-Day Unlimited Pass Excellent for traveling between the Waterfront, City Bowl, and Sea Point. Card fee of ~$2.47 / R40 extra. | $5.58 R90 |
| Daily Car Rental (Budget/Standard) Essential for exploring the Cape Peninsula. Fuel and insurance are extra. | $47 R752 |
| Uber Ride (City Center to Camps Bay) A quick 15-minute ride over Kloof Nek costs roughly $7.42 / R120. | $7.45 R120 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Luxury Hotel Room (The Silo Hotel) Premium luxury in the V&A Waterfront. Prices reach ~$1,766+ / R28,530+ per night during peak summer. | $1,768 R28,575 |
| Mid-range Hotel Room (Protea Hotel Fire & Ice) Centrally located hotel in Tamboerskloof. Expect to pay ~$212 / R3,424 per night for a double room. | $214 R3,459 |
| Hostel Dorm Bed (91 Loop) Modern pod-style hostel in the city center. Cost is approx. $17 / R278 per night. | $17 R278 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Table Mountain Aerial Cableway (Return) Price for international adults. Afternoon tickets are slightly cheaper at ~$25 / R399 (R395). | $28 R451 |
| Robben Island Standard Tour Includes the ferry and a guided tour by a former political prisoner. | $37 R602 |
| Boulders Beach Penguin Colony Entry Daily fee for international adults to see the African Penguins. Approx. $12 / R190. | $12 R191 |
| Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope) Entry International adult entry to the nature reserve. Approx. $25 / R399. | $25 R401 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Local Vodacom SIM (10GB Data) Widely available at Cape Town Airport. Much better value than eSIMs for large data needs. | $29 R470 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is a highlight for budget travelers, with inexpensive meals at local cafes costing around $12 / R200 and a mid-range three-course dinner for two averaging $50 / R802. While high-end beach dining in Camps Bay commands higher prices, casual spots and food markets offer high-quality artisanal options for much less. Local beverages are particularly well-priced, with a pint of domestic draught beer typically costing $3.11 / R50.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Eastern Food Bazaar
$5.27–$8.06 / R85–R130City Bowl · Food court
The Lamb Rogan Josh is huge and easily shareable for ~$8.
Fish on the Rocks
$6.83–$11 / R110–R180Hout Bay · Local chain
Eat outside on the pier but watch out for the seagulls; they will steal your fish!
Mariam's Kitchen
$5.9–$9.92 / R95–R160City Bowl · Local chain
A 'Gatsby' is a giant local sandwich; a full one can feed four people for under $11 / R171.
The Dog's Bollocks
$8.69–$12 / R140–R200Gardens · Street food area
Industrial-chic vibe with some of the city's best burgers for ~$8.71 / R141.
V&A Food Market
$6.2–$16 / R100–R251V&A Waterfront · Food court
Great for a quick, high-quality bite while sightseeing at the harbor.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Getting around is most cost-effective via the MyCiTi 1-Day Unlimited Pass for $5.58 / R90, which covers the City Bowl and coastal stretches like Sea Point. For longer trips or late-night travel, an Uber from the city center to Camps Bay costs approximately $7.45 / R120, while a daily car rental at $47 / R752 is the best value for exploring the wider Cape Peninsula.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging varies significantly by neighborhood, with central pod-style hostels like 91 Loop offering beds for $17 / R278. Mid-range travelers can expect to pay around $214 / R3,459 for well-located hotels like the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice, while the ultra-luxury segment is represented by properties like The Silo Hotel, where rooms can reach $1,768 / R28,575 per night.
Accommodation Budget in Cape Town
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase Table Mountain Aerial Cableway tickets for the afternoon session to save money, as these cost approximately $25 / R399 compared to the $28 / R451 morning rate.
- 2 Eat at the Eastern Food Bazaar in the City Bowl for massive, low-cost portions of curry and shawarma often under $12 / R190.
- 3 Use the MyCiTi bus system instead of taxis for coastal trips to keep daily transport costs near the $5.58 / R90 pass price.
- 4 Visit the V&A Food Market for diverse dining options rather than sitting at the more expensive formal restaurants on the V&A Waterfront.
- 5 Buy a local Vodacom SIM at the airport for $29 / R470 to get 10GB of data, which is far cheaper than using international roaming or purchasing smaller data bundles.
- 6 Hike up Lion's Head for spectacular 360-degree views of the city at no cost instead of paying for the cableway.
- 7 Check for 'Early Bird' dinner specials in the Gardens and Sea Point neighborhoods, which often run between 17:00–19:00.
- 8 Visit Fish on the Rocks in Hout Bay for some of the city's most affordable and fresh fish and chips.
- 9 Avoid the $25 / R401 airport taxi by using Uber, which typically costs around $15 / R247 (approx. R250) for the same journey.
- 10 Stock up on water and hiking snacks at local supermarkets like Pick n Pay or Woolworths to avoid the marked-up prices at Cape Point and Boulders Beach.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Feb
+40-60%
Jun, Jul, Aug
-30-50%
Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Peak summer (Dec-Jan) sees extreme hotel price hikes and requires booking months in advance. May and October offer mild weather (~20°C (68°F)) and much lower rates.
Events to Watch
- ● Cape Town Cycle Tour (March): +30% hotels
- ● Cape Town International Jazz Festival (late March): +50% hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Hiking the popular Lion's Head trail for sunrise or sunset.
- 2 Walking through the historic and colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood.
- 3 Strolling the 11km Sea Point Promenade alongside the Atlantic Ocean.
- 4 Relaxing on the white sands of Clifton 2nd, 3rd, or 4th beaches.
- 5 Exploring the Company's Garden to see the historic flora and resident squirrels.
- 6 Window shopping and watching live marimba bands at the V&A Waterfront.
- 7 Driving or walking up to Signal Hill for panoramic city views.
- 8 Hiking the Pipe Track for a flat, scenic walk overlooking the Twelve Apostles.
- 9 Visiting the Green Point Urban Park for its biodiversity garden and outdoor gym.
- 10 Viewing the iconic colorful beach huts at Muizenberg Beach from the public walkway.
- 11 Exploring the Muizenberg to St. James coastal walk.
- 12 Attending a free sunset concert or event at De Waal Park (seasonally available).
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Shark Cage Diving (Gansbaai)
A world-class marine adventure to see Great Whites or Bronze Whalers. Costs approx. $214 / R3,462.
Helicopter Tour (12-Minute 'Hopper')
The only way to truly appreciate the scale of Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles. Costs ~$129 / R2,092.
Franschhoek Wine Tram Curated Experience
An all-inclusive day of tastings and gourmet lunch in the beautiful Winelands. Approx. $174 / R2,815.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Cape Town
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Cape Town and what they cost
Cape Peninsula & Boulders Beach
$47 / R752 by car rental or tour
$37 / R592
$90 / R1,454
Stellenbosch & Franschhoek Winelands
$50 / R802 by Uber or shuttle
$37 / R602
$112 / R1,805
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
South African Rand (ZAR)
1 $ ≈ 16 R
Yes
Excellent in all formal businesses, malls, and restaurants.
10-15% at restaurants. Small cash tips (~$0.59 / R9.51) for car guards and petrol attendants are essential.
Use ATMs inside malls or banks only. Avoid street-side ATMs to prevent card skimming. Standard withdrawal fees are around $2.35–$4.71 / R38–R76.
Only expected at informal craft markets like Greenmarket Square. Aim for 20–30% off the first price.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$14 for 1GB-5GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $24–$29 / R380–R476 for 10GB including SIM card fee
WiFi: Excellent in malls, hotels, and cafes in the City Bowl/V&A.
Get a local Vodacom SIM at the airport for much cheaper data rates and better coverage than eSIMs.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Cape Town.
Updated: February 16, 2026
Ready to Visit Cape Town?
Book your flights, accommodation, and activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Town expensive to visit?
How much does Cape Town cost per day?
How much does a trip to Cape Town cost?
What is the cheapest month to visit Cape Town?
What are the hidden costs in Cape Town?
How can I save money in Cape Town?
More Cape Town Guides
Weather
Historical climate averages to help you pick the best time to visit
Best Time to Visit
Coming soon
Things to Do
Coming soon
Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
Itineraries
Coming soon
Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown