Is Cape Town expensive? Getting there is. Being there costs less than the Algarve

Cape Town is not expensive once you are there. The Post Office's Winter Sun Report, updated in late September, found it the best value of 24 winter-sun destinations for the everyday things UK visitors buy, cheaper than the Algarve or the Costa del Sol. The big cost is the long flight, and on South Africa Discovery, Spice Escapes' hosted trip to the Cape, the flight, the hotel, several meals and the big days out are part of the holiday.

If you are in your 50s or 60s and weighing up a long-haul trip, here are the survey's numbers, what the hosted trip covers and what is left to spend.

Cheapest of 24 for the same eight holiday purchases

Post Office Travel Money priced the same eight purchases everywhere: a filter coffee, a local lager, a cola, a glass of wine, bottled water, suncream, insect repellent and a three-course evening meal for two with a bottle of house wine. In Cape Town the basket came to just over 58 pounds, the lowest in the survey.

Mombasa in Kenya came second at a little under 64 pounds. The Algarve, the best-value European destination, was sixth at just over 82, and the Costa del Sol seventh at about 84. The same basket cost about 144 pounds in Tobago, the dearest.

The flight costs more, the days cost less

The report's own explanation is that long-haul flights can cost more, but meals, drinks and everyday purchases can be significantly lower than in some European destinations. Each price is local, in rand in Cape Town, converted at the Post Office's online rates from September, so the figures are a snapshot that moves with the pound.

What South Africa Discovery already pays for

South Africa Discovery is 10 nights, 29 Mar 2027 – 8 Apr 2027, from £3,499, hosted by Sue Giddings. The itinerary covers:

• The overnight flight from the UK, with meals on board.
• Sue, the local host, meeting you at arrivals and staying for the whole trip.
• An orientation tour the day you land, with a late lunch and dinner together.
• The Vineyard, a hotel in eight acres of gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain, with a spa and pools.
• A full day down the Cape Peninsula by Chapman's Peak Drive to Cape Point and the penguins at Boulders Beach, with lunch.
• A day out to Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands.
• An overnight at a private game reserve, with a sunrise game drive.

Breakfast is listed as included on the full days in Cape Town. One honest point: the group goes as the Cape summer ends. The World Meteorological Organization's long-term averages give March highs of about 25°C, with rain on about five days. That is an average, never a promise.

See the dates and book online on the South Africa Discovery page.

Where your own spending money goes

The fourth day is free. The listing offers an optional trip up Table Mountain, weather permitting, or to Robben Island, Nelson Mandela's prison island, and suggests a wander round the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. At Cape Point the funicular is not included, though you can walk up to the old lighthouse instead.

Those extras, drinks and the meals not listed as included are your spending money, and the Post Office basket is a fair guide to the food and drink.

The single supplement, and what comes with it

Most people on a Spice holiday book on their own. Groups are around fifteen people, and some reach twenty. A room to yourself carries a supplement, explained on our single supplement page. The holiday brings company at the table when you want it, and a host who does the arranging.

New to this? Read our guide for first-time solo travellers, or see our solo holidays for the over 50s.

If those dates do not suit: Crete or the Maldives

Crete Discovery is the nearer choice: 7 nights, 5 Oct 2027 – 12 Oct 2027, from £1,499, hosted by Lauren Fawkes. Both hotels are dinner, bed and breakfast, so every evening meal is covered.

Maldives Wildlife Cruise & Beach Chillout is the long-haul alternative: 12 nights, 27 Nov 2027 – 9 Dec 2027, from £4,199, hosted by Jonathan Banks, with a whole day searching for whale sharks. Availability: 2 places left.

See also our holidays in South Africa, wildlife and safari holidays and winter sun without breaking the bank.

Questions people ask

How much spending money do I need for Cape Town?

Use the Post Office basket as a guide: eight everyday items, including a three-course dinner for two with wine, came to just over 58 pounds. On a hosted trip the flight, hotel and several meals are covered, so budget for the free day, drinks and the other meals.

Is Cape Town cheaper than Spain or Portugal?

For day-to-day spending, the Post Office survey says yes. Its basket cost less in Cape Town than in every Spanish and Portuguese destination it priced, the Algarve and the Costa del Sol included, though the flight costs more.

Should I take rand or a card to South Africa?

The Post Office suggests both: cash for small purchases and tips, and a travel money card for shops, restaurants and hotels. It also says buying currency before you go is often cheaper than changing it at the airport.

Is there a single supplement on South Africa Discovery?

Yes. Every Spice Escapes holiday carries a single supplement or room-to-yourself cost, and the holiday page shows the live figure.

Next step: check the dates and book online

If the numbers add up, see the dates and book online on the South Africa Discovery page, with the live price and the Book button. Availability now: 8 places left.

Questions first? Ask Sue Giddings, who hosts the trip, through our contact page, or ask Rosie, the chat on the holiday page.