Comparison · Cape Town vs Sydney · South Africa / Australia
Cape Town vs Sydney
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Choose Cape Town for Table Mountain, Robben Island and lower day-to-day costs; choose Sydney for Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, free sights and a short break. Cape Town is generally less expensive, and the two are about 11,012 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 11,012 km
- Less expensive
- Cape Town
- Best time for Cape Town
- February–April and November
- Best time for Sydney
- March–April and September–November
Side by side
| Cape Town | Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | South Africa | Australia |
| Known for | Table Mountain, Robben Island and African penguins | Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach |
| Best time to visit | February–April and November | March–April and September–November |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $100–$200 | $200–$350 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Expensive |
| Warmest month | February, 27°C (81°F) | January, 26°C (79°F) |
| Coldest month | June, 18°C (64°F) | July, 17°C (63°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 6 |
| Beaches | Clifton 4th Beach | Bondi Beach |
| Airports | CPT | SYD |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cape Town for…
Table Mountain, Robben Island and lower day-to-day costs. Cape Town wraps around the base of Table Mountain, with the City Bowl and V&A Waterfront facing Table Bay, the Atlantic beaches of Sea Point, Clifton and Camps Bay to the west, and the warmer False Bay shore of Muizenberg and Kalk Bay to the south. Most…
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Choose Sydney for…
Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, free sights and a short break. Sydney wraps around a deep natural harbour, with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge facing each other across Circular Quay and surf beaches strung along the ocean coast to the east and north. Most visitors base themselves between Circular Quay, the CBD…
Top sights compared
| # | Cape Town | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Table Mountain and the Aerial Cableway | Sydney Opera House |
| 2 | Robben Island | Sydney Harbour Bridge |
| 3 | Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden | Royal Botanic Garden and Mrs Macquarie's Chair |
| 4 | V&A Waterfront | The Rocks |
| 5 | Bo-Kaap | Bondi Beach |
Food compared
| Cape Town | Sydney |
|---|---|
| Bobotie | Sydney rock oysters |
| Cape Malay curry | Meat pie |
| Gatsby | Flat white |
| Hake and chips | Smashed avocado and ricotta hotcakes |
Which is cheaper?
Cape Town is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $100–$200 per person there, against $200–$350 in Sydney (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cape Town on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 11,012 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 13 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cape Town or Sydney cheaper?
Cape Town is usually less expensive: about $100–$200 a day mid-range against $200–$350 (estimates).
+Is Cape Town or Sydney better for a first trip?
Pick Cape Town for Table Mountain, Robben Island and lower day-to-day costs, or Sydney for Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, free sights and a short break.
+How far is Cape Town from Sydney?
About 11,012 km in a straight line.