A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tangier vs. Cape Town for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tangier or Cape Town?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tangier and Cape Town can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Tangier or Cape Town?

Tangier

Welcome to the gateway to Africa. Sitting on the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier, Morocco has historically served as the meeting point of the Mediterranean and Africa.

After World War II, this city became a destination for eccentric foreigners, artists, spies and hippies. After that, the city was neglected and gained a horrible reputation for the hustlers cheating visitors left and right.

In 1999 Morocco saw the beginning of a new monarch who was more progressive with his vision for tourism. This message lit a fire under Tangier, helping the people see the amazing potential in their great city. They built a new port, a new business district and revamped the airport. The beaches and streets have been cleaned up of trash and hustlers and there's a sudden surge in cultural activities.

Cape Town

Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.

Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Tangier?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tangier is $84, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $179. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tangier and Cape Town in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tangier $26
    Cape Town $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tangier $52
    Cape Town $166
Compare Hotels in Tangier and Cape Town

Looking for a hotel in Tangier or Cape Town? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Tangier


Hotels in Cape Town


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tangier Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tangier $26
    Cape Town $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tangier

Also for Tangier, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • VIP Private Transfer from Tanger Airport / Port to Hotel Vice Versa: $42
  • Transfers from Tangier to chefchaouen "blue city": $71
  • Transfers from - to Tangier airport: $30
  • Transfers From Tangier To Tetouan: $51
  • Transfers From Tangier To Chefchaouen-Asilah-Fes-Casablanca .: $143
  • Transfers From Tangier Airport to Asilah: $56
  • Transfer from Tangier airport to Tangier: $24
  • Transfer from Tangier airport / port to Tetouan : $95
  • Transfer from Tangier Airport Port City center or Train Station : $50
  • Transfer from Ibn Battuta airport to Tangier center: $46
  • Transfer Private from Tangier To Asilah: $63
  • Transfer Private From Tangier To Rabat : $166

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Aquila Safari and Cheese & Wine Tasting with Private Transfers: $300
  • Full Day Private Chauffeur and Transfer Services in Cape Town: $300
  • Shark Cage Diving & Penguins Tour to Gansbaai with private transfers: $292
  • Full day Cape Point + Constantia Wine Tour with Private Transfer: $274
  • Cape Peninsula and Boulders Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $274
  • Stellenbosch Winelands Connoisseur Day Tour with Private Transfer: $273
  • Full Day Big Five Safari Tour from Cape Town with Transfers: $271
  • Aquila Safari Game Drive, Lunch & Shared Transfers from Cape Town: $268
  • Helderberg Valley Winelands Day Tour with Private Transfer: $253
  • West Coast Wonders Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $253
  • Hermanus Wine Tour (Full Day Including Cape Town Transfers): $247
  • Durbanville Valley Winelands Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $242

Is it cheaper to fly into Tangier or Cape Town?

Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Tangier change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tangier $39
    Cape Town $77
Typical Food Prices in Tangier

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tangier:


  • Fruit & Yogurt
    $1.88

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tangier

For Tangier, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Tanger Local Street food tours: $65
  • Tangier Food Tour : A Delicious Walking Adventure: $67
  • Taste of Morocco Guided Food Tour in Tangier: $71
  • Cooking and eating with a local family: $77
  • Tangier food tour : $77
  • Tangier Private Cooking Class With a Local Family: $79
  • Inclusive Beach Camel Ride, Cap Spartel, Hercules & Full Dinner: $79
  • Tangier Cooking Class With a Local Family: $81
  • Tangier Food Tour: $83
  • Taste of Morocco Guided Food Tour in Tangier: $83
  • Moroccan 3 in 1 Cooking Experience: $83
  • The Food tour of Tangier: $84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town

For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • African Cooking with a Chef Founder: $30
  • Private Indonesian & Cape Malay Cultural Cooking Class : $71
  • From African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $72
  • African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $75
  • Cape Malay/Creole Cooking Class and Local Shopping in Salt River: $77
  • South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
  • Sunset At Signal Hill Constantia Wine Tasting and Dinner: $83
  • Cape Town African Taste-Safari & Live Entertainment Dinner Experience: $88
  • Private Authentic Cape Malay Cooking Class in Manenberg with Locals: $92
  • Food Tour in “Little Mogadishu,” Bellville, Cape Town: $94
  • Half Day Cape Town African Dinner Restaurant with Live Music Show: $98
  • Private Cape Malay Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tangier $22
    Cape Town $25

Tours and Activities in Tangier

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tangier.

  • 3-Hour Private Enchanting Tangier Coastal Adventure: $48
  • Full Day Private Chefchaouen Guided Tour: $143
  • Highlights of Tangier Half Day Tour Include ride the camel: $125
  • Luxury Tangier private Day Tour from Tarifa Spain All inclusive : $299
  • Private LuxuryTour of Tangier for 4hours: $83
  • Private Tour in Tangier : $80
  • Tanger tour cruise ship -up Luxury City Tour: $90
  • Tangier Private Tour with Ferry & Lunch from Tarifa : $275
  • The Best of Tangier Walking Tour : $208
  • 2 Days Luxury Tour to Merzouga Desert from Fez with Small Group: $274
  • 2 Days Tour of Tangier & Chefchaouen JC Private Tours: $196
  • 2 hours Tangier Sightseeing tour : $61

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Days Private Guided Tour in Cape Town: $295
  • 3 Wineries Private Tour in Stellenbosch, Paarl Tasting Included: $148
  • Cape Agulhas Full Day Private Tour: $208
  • Cape Agulhas, Hermanus Stony Point Penguins Colony Tour : $230
  • Cape Point Full Day Tour: $206
  • Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope, Penguins Experience: $88
  • Cape Town - Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens and City Tour: $300
  • Cape Town Central wine and cheese pairing private Tour Drive : $224
  • Cape Town Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour: $33
  • Cape Town, Destination for Wine and galery Lovers Private Tour: $283
  • Cape Winelands From Cape Town Private Day Tour: $175
  • Cape Winelands Tour to Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl: $104

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tangier $12
    Cape Town $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town

Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Stellenbosch Small Group Wine Tasting Tour From Cape Town: $2.65
  • Distillery Tour, rum and gin tasting: $12
  • Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $14
  • Craft Gin Tasting Experience and Distillery Tour: $14
  • Indigenous Food and Wine Tasting: $26
  • Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $28
  • Urban Wine Tasting: $30
  • Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $30
  • Cape Town Hop- On Hop -Off Tour and Groot Constantia Wine Tasting: $31
  • Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Babylonstoren Wine Tour: $38
  • Wine Tour at Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl: $46
  • Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $47


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tangier and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town is more expensive. And not only is Tangier much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tangier would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tangier and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town than you might in Tangier.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tangier Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tangier or Cape Town?

Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Tangier. When comparing the sizes of Tangier and Cape Town, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Tangier or Cape Town?

Cape Town has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tangier experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Tangier or Cape Town in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tangier and Cape Town. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tangier year-round.

In the summer, Tangier is a little warmer than Cape Town. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tangier in July average around 24°C (74°F), and Cape Town averages at about 21°C (70°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Town this time of the year. In Tangier, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tangier usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Town during summer. Tangier gets 346 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tangier usually receives less rain than Cape Townin January. Tangier gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Tangier 24°C (74°F) 
    Cape Town 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Tangier or Cape Town in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tangier as well as Cape Town. Tangier attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Tangier is generally a little warmer than Cape Townin April. Daily temperatures in Tangier average around 20°C (68°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tangier this time of the year. In the autumn, Tangier often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cape Townin April. Tangier gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 233 hours of full sun.

Tangier usually gets more rain in October than Cape Townin April. Tangier gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Tangier 20°C (68°F) 
    Cape Town 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Tangier or Cape Town in the Winter?

Both Cape Town and Tangier are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tangier throughout the year.

Tangier is around the same temperature as Cape Town in the winter. The daily temperature in Tangier averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.

Tangier usually receives less sunshine than Cape Town during winter. Tangier gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Cape Town receives 193 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Tangier. In January, Tangier usually receives more rain than Cape Townin July. Tangier gets 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Tangier 13°C (55°F) 
    Cape Town 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Tangier or Cape Town in the Spring?

Both Cape Town and Tangier during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tangier because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Tangier is around the same temperature as Cape Town. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tangier in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Cape Town averages at about 16°C (61°F)in October.

In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tangier. In the spring, Tangier often gets less sunshine than Cape Townin October. Tangier gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cape Town receives 278 hours of full sun.

Tangier usually gets more rain in April than Cape Townin October. Tangier gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Tangier 15°C (60°F) 
    Cape Town 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Cape Town and Tangier

Tangier Cape Town
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 13°C (55°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Feb 13°C (56°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 20°C (68°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 15°C (60°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 18°C (64°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 13°C (56°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Jul 24°C (74°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 19°C (65°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 13°C (56°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)