Cape Town Travel Budget
How much does it cost to visit Cape Town, South Africa? Plan your budget with our interactive calculator.
Estimated Total for 7 Days
R14,000
Travel Style
Midrange
Destination
Travel Style
Compare by Travel Style
See how your 7-day trip budget varies across backpacker, midrange, and comfortable travel styles.
Largest Expense
Accommodation
40% of total budget
Price Level
Expensive
Compared to global average
Local Currency
ZAR
Symbol: R
Where Your Money Goes
Understanding your spending helps you travel smarter and stretch your budget further
Daily vs Total Cost
Switch between daily and total views to understand your spending
R14,000
Total for 7 days
Accommodation
R5,600
for 7 days
Food & Dining
R3,500
for 7 days
Transport
R1,680
for 7 days
Activities
R2,520
for 7 days
Other
R700
for 7 days
Planning Tip
Book accommodations early and compare prices across platforms. Mid-week stays often offer better rates than weekend arrivals, and flexibility with dates can save you up to 25%.
A Day in Cape Town
See exactly what a real day costs, with insider tips for each expense
A Budget Day in Cape Town
Total: R21
Coffee and rusk at local café
South Africans dunk rusks in coffee
Hike Lion's Head at sunrise (free)
Chains and ladders near top—thrilling
Gatsby sandwich for lunch
Cape Town's famous foot-long sandwich
Free walking tour of Bo-Kaap
Colorful houses, Cape Malay history
Muizenberg Beach (free)
Learn to surf, watch for penguins
Sunset at Signal Hill (free)
Bring wine and a blanket
Street food dinner at Mzoli's
Township braai, unforgettable atmosphere
Daily Total
7 activities
From Someone's Journal
Cape Town on a budget is spectacular. Climbed Lion's Head at dawn—scrambling up chains, then suddenly the whole Cape spread below. Table Mountain, the Atlantic, the city waking up. The Gatsby sandwich is absurd: a foot of bread stuffed with chips, steak, and sauce. Bo-Kaap's painted houses told stories of resilience. Ended at Mzoli's in Gugulethu—choosing meat, they braai it, music plays, everyone dances. Spent R600 (about $33) and experienced something real.
Memory Prompts for Cape Town
Reflect on your spending with these thoughtful prompts - perfect for your travel journal
How did Table Mountain change your perspective—literally and figuratively?
Iconic landmarks
Describe your experience with Cape Town's wine culture.
Wine country
What surprised you about the diversity of experiences in one city?
City variety
How did you navigate the contrasts—wealth and poverty, history and present?
Social awareness
Free Things to Do in Cape Town
Stretch your budget further with free attractions and insider money-saving tips
V&A Waterfront
Browse shops, watch street performers, and enjoy harbour views.
Bo-Kaap Neighborhood
Photograph the colorful houses in this historic Cape Malay neighborhood.
Clifton Beaches
Four beautiful beaches with free access. Cold water but stunning scenery.
Company's Garden
Historic garden in the city center with squirrels and museums nearby.
Green Point Park
Urban park with playgrounds, gardens, and Table Mountain views.
Sea Point Promenade
Scenic 6km coastal walk from Mouille Point to Bantry Bay.
Muizenberg Beach
Famous for its colorful beach huts and surfing. Free to visit.
Kalk Bay Harbour
Watch fishing boats return and seals beg for scraps.
Long Street
Walk this famous bar and shopping street. People-watching is free.
Signal Hill Sunset
Drive or walk up for panoramic city and ocean views.
Practical Tips for Cape Town
Getting Around
MyCiTi bus or Uber are safest options. Avoid minibus taxis unless you know the system.
Where to Stay
Green Point and Sea Point offer good value near the Waterfront. Camps Bay is scenic but pricey.
Cheap Eats
Street food at markets is 50-80 ZAR. Gatsby (massive sandwich) is 60-100 ZAR and feeds two.
Tipping Guide
10-15% at restaurants. 10-20 ZAR for car guards. R2-5 per bag for porters.
Best Value Season
May-August (winter) has lowest rates. December-January is peak season with high prices.
Watch Out For
Be vigilant with belongings. Don't flash valuables. Avoid isolated areas after dark.
Pro tip: Combine free activities with paid attractions for a balanced, budget-friendly itinerary
Neighborhood Guide for Cape Town
Find the perfect area to stay based on your budget and travel style
V&A Waterfront
Tourist hub with harbor views, shopping, dining, and Robben Island ferries.
Best For
Bo-Kaap
Historic Cape Malay quarter with colorful houses, cooking classes, and cultural significance.
Best For
Gardens & Oranjezicht
City Bowl neighborhoods with cafés, access to Table Mountain, and vibrant markets.
Best For
Sea Point
Atlantic Seaboard promenade area with ocean views, restaurants, and swimming pools.
Best For
Camps Bay
Trendy beach suburb with pristine beach, mountains as backdrop, and beach bars.
Best For
Woodstock
Emerging neighborhood with street art, craft breweries, and The Old Biscuit Mill market.
Best For
Location Tip
Consider staying in "moderate" neighborhoods for the best balance of cost and convenience. They often have better local restaurants, easier transport links, and more authentic experiences than the most central tourist areas—while still being safe and well-connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about traveling to Cape Town on a budget
A 7-day trip to Cape Town costs approximately R14,000 for a midrange travel style. This breaks down to about R2,000 per day, covering accommodation, food, local transportation, activities, and miscellaneous expenses.
Daily budgets in Cape Town vary by travel style: Budget/Backpacker travelers spend around R800/day, Mid-range travelers spend R2,000/day, and Comfortable travelers spend R4,500/day. These estimates include accommodation, meals, local transport, and activities.
Cape Town is considered a relatively expensive destination for tourists. With mid-range daily costs of R2,000, it requires careful planning to stay within budget compared to other popular destinations. The largest expense is typically accommodation (40% of budget).
Food typically accounts for about 25% of your daily budget in Cape Town. For a midrange experience, expect to spend around R500 per day on meals. Street food at markets is 50-80 ZAR. Gatsby (massive sandwich) is 60-100 ZAR and feeds two.
Cape Town uses the ZAR (R). We recommend exchanging some cash before arrival for small purchases, though credit cards are widely accepted in most establishments. ATMs are readily available throughout the city, but check with your bank about international transaction fees.
Accommodation in Cape Town is the largest expense, typically representing 40% of your budget. For 7 days with a midrange travel style, expect to spend approximately R5,600 total. Green Point and Sea Point offer good value near the Waterfront. Camps Bay is scenic but pricey.
Top money-saving tips for Cape Town: Use MyCiTi buses, Buy wine at source, Cook at your accommodation. These strategies can significantly reduce your daily costs.
Yes! Cape Town has many free attractions including: V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap Neighborhood, Clifton Beaches, Company's Garden, and more. These free activities can help you stretch your budget significantly.
Local transportation typically accounts for 12% of your budget in Cape Town. MyCiTi bus or Uber are safest options. Avoid minibus taxis unless you know the system. Budget around R240 per day for transport.
10-15% at restaurants. 10-20 ZAR for car guards. R2-5 per bag for porters.
May-August (winter) has lowest rates. December-January is peak season with high prices.
Be vigilant with belongings. Don't flash valuables. Avoid isolated areas after dark.
Data Source
Budget and cost of living data sourced from Numbeo. Prices are estimates based on crowdsourced data and may vary
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Your 7-Day Budget
R14,000
R2,000 per day
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