Cape Town has a fascinating history combined with a normally excellent climate, so it’s popular with both cultural and leisure tourists. The city can be quite expensive though, so some forward planning is a good idea if you are on a budget.
| Population | 3,500,000 |
| Area | 3,500,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+2 |
| Currency | South Africa rand |
| Airports | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) |
There are plenty of hostels in Cape Town and prices for a bed are quite competitive, especially outside of the peak December/January season. Hotels are spread all over and booking a bit into the suburbs can deliver a higher standard at a lower price.
As a Southern Hemisphere beach city, Cape Town hotels operate on a fairly predictable set of seasons. The peak season is generally from mid December through mid January, which is also typically has the best summer weather. High season for Cape Town hotels is usually from October through April, excluding the peak season in the middle.
Low season is generally from May through September, and prices don’t change much near the lower end of the market, but sometimes mid-range hotels can be quite cheap, and deals can be arranged if you are staying more than a few days.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 32.12 - 49.26 |
| 48.54 - 73.55 |
| 28.54 - 78.57 |
| 65.73 - 116.47 |
| 106.45 - 197.19 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 8.87 - 21.65 |
| Location | Description | Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sightseeing bus tour | The standard double-decker tourist buses offer hop-on/hop-off city tours with two main routes. You can do the other route the following day at a discount. Discount for buying online. | adults 5-15 | 16.25 9.09 |
| Robben Island tour | This historic island prison is a popular tour for those interested in the country's Apartheid past. Book in advance online as it sells out early. | adults | 33.06 |
| Cable Car up Table Mountain | A fun ride and amazing views, so this is very popular. A steep walking path leads to the top, and one-way rides are about half this price. Save 10% by buying online. | adults one way | 12.12 |
| Food Type | Description | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget breakfast | If your hotel or hostel doesn't include breakfast you can find some good and simple options in most neighborhoods. | 3.03 - 4.41 |
| Budget lunch | Going for fast food or casual restaurants and pubs can keep your lunches reasonable. | 3.58 - 6.34 |
| Budget dinner | Depending on your neighborhood it might take some looking to find good sit-down budget dinners. | 5.51 - 9.37 |
| Beer (pint) | Pints of the local lager are reasonably priced at most bars and pubs, but night clubs will charge more. | 1.10 - 1.65 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Taxi from airport to city center | 16.53 - 22.04 |
| MyCiti bus from airport to city center | 3.58 |
| 3km taxi ride in Cape Town | 1.65 - 3.64 |
| Minibus ride in Cape Town | 0.33 |
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 79 | 60 | 0.6 |
| February | 80 | 60 | 0.7 |
| March | 78 | 58 | 0.8 |
| April | 73 | 53 | 1.6 |
| May | 69 | 49 | 2.7 |
| June | 65 | 46 | 3.7 |
| July | 64 | 45 | 3.2 |
| August | 64 | 46 | 3.0 |
| September | 67 | 48 | 1.6 |
| October | 70 | 51 | 1.2 |
| November | 74 | 56 | 0.6 |
| December | 77 | 59 | 0.7 |
Cape Town has a generally pleasant climate all year round, though the winter period from April through August can be cool and wet depending on which part of the city you are in. Summers are typically warm and dry, though extreme heat is rare, as is uncomfortable humidity.
The Cape Town climate is similar to Los Angeles, with seasons reversed, of course. The beach areas can be very pleasant and mild while certain inland areas can be much hotter or much wetter at any given moment.
| 21 Mar | 6:50am | 6:56pm |
| 21 Jun | 7:51am | 5:45pm |
| 21 Sep | 6:37am | 6:42pm |
| 21 Dec | 5:32am | 7:57pm |