Cape Town International Airport is located approximately 15 km from the city centre, repeatedly acclaimed as one of the world's best airports for efficiency and passenger services.
It is the gateway to Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula and the nearby wine region of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, among South Africa's most celebrated tourist destinations.
How to get to Cape Town International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to CPT
Parking near Cape Town International Airport
Multi-level parking is available adjacent to the terminal.
How to get to Cape Town from CPT
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Cape Town: (CPT) Private Airport Transfer to or from
Cape Town: Private 1-Way Airport Transfer
Cape Town: CPT Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center
Private Cape Town International Airport Transfer
Car rental at Cape Town International Airport
All major car rental companies have airport desks, widely used for reaching the wine region and Garden Route independently.
Hotels near Cape Town International Airport
Pinelands and Century City
City Lodge Pinelands is 9-11 minutes and just over 10 km from the airport; the Cape Town Marriott Crystal Towers, in Century City, is about 17 minutes (17 km) away and offers a free shuttle to the airport.
Best for: Early-morning departures, short layovers and anyone with business at Canal Walk or the Century City conference centre.
- You avoid the traffic towards the centre, handy for those staying just one night
- The Marriott Crystal Towers is linked to the Canal Walk shopping centre, useful for dinner or last-minute shopping
- Pinelands is a residential neighbourhood with little else to do in the evening
- You still need a car or shuttle to reach the Waterfront or City Bowl
Recommended hotels
- City Lodge Hotel Pinelands 9-11 minutes and just over 10 km from the airport, with a paid shuttle running around the clock; a quiet neighbourhood near the Mowbray Golf Course. View availability
- Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers In Century City, about 17 minutes from the airport, with a free shuttle and direct access to the Canal Walk shopping centre; an indoor spa for anyone with a long layover. View availability
V&A Waterfront
20-30 minutes by taxi or rideshare over about 23-25 km; the MyCiTi A01 bus, back in service since 2026, links the airport to the Civic Centre every 20-30 minutes, from where you continue on to the Waterfront.
Best for: First-time visitors to Cape Town who want restaurants, shopping, museums and the ferry to Robben Island within walking distance of the hotel.
- Restaurants, shops and the aquarium a few minutes on foot, with no need for a car
- One of the safest areas of the city even in the evening, patrolled and well lit
- Hotel rates higher than elsewhere in the city, especially in the summer months (December-February)
- No fast direct link with the airport: even with MyCiTi you need to change at the Civic Centre
Recommended hotels
- Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Hotel Luxury hotel on its own private quay at the Waterfront, with views of Table Mountain; rated among the most elegant in the city by specialist guides. View availability
- InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town by IHG At Quay 6 of the Waterfront, with a direct view of the harbour and walking access to shops and restaurants; outdoor pool and wellness centre. View availability
- AC Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront About 10 minutes on foot from the heart of the Waterfront, on a quiet canal; mid-range compared with the area's luxury hotels. View availability
- City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront The most affordable option inside the Waterfront, within walking distance of shops and restaurants; recently renovated rooms. View availability
City Bowl
Same distance from the airport as the Waterfront, 20-30 minutes by taxi; the MyCiTi A01 bus arrives directly at the Civic Centre, in the City Bowl.
Best for: Those looking for nightlife, restaurants and lower prices than the Waterfront, while staying within walking distance of the historic centre and Long Street.
- Hotel prices generally lower than at the Waterfront, a few minutes' walk from Long Street
- Buitengracht and St George's Mall are the starting point for exploring Bo-Kaap and the historic centre on foot
- Some City Bowl streets are quiet in the evening away from the main roads
- You still need a transfer to reach the Waterfront or the beach
Recommended hotels
- Hyatt Regency Cape Town On the corner of Buitengracht and Wale Street, in the heart of the City Bowl and a stone's throw from Bo-Kaap; a luxury hotel born from the renovation of the former Hilton Cape Town City Centre. View availability
- Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre by IHG On St George's Mall, 5 minutes on foot from Long Street; buffet breakfast included in the price. View availability
- Canopy By Hilton Cape Town Longkloof In Gardens, on Kloof Street, 15 minutes by car from Camps Bay; contemporary design and breakfast often mentioned in reviews. View availability
Sea Point
30-35 minutes by car, about 28-30 km; no direct bus link, you need a taxi, rideshare or rental car.
Best for: Those who want the seafront promenade and views of the Atlantic without Camps Bay prices, accepting a longer transfer from the airport.
- The Sea Point promenade can be walked for kilometres, with a public pool on the seafront
- Cheaper than Camps Bay but just a few minutes away by car
- Longer transfer from the airport than for the Waterfront or City Bowl
- Residential area: nightlife is limited compared with the City Bowl
Recommended hotels
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Sea Point On one of the main roads of Sea Point, a couple of blocks from the promenade; views of Lion's Head and Signal Hill from many rooms. View availability
- Peninsula All Suite Hotel by Dream Resorts At the far end of Sea Point, facing Queen's Beach, with views of the Atlantic and the silhouette of Lion's Head; all rooms are suites. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, repeatedly recognized among the world's finest, handles connections to Europe, Africa, and some intercontinental destinations.
To be safe: 3 hours ahead for international flights is the best choice.
Map of Cape Town International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is Cape Town airport considered among the best in the world?
Yes, it has repeatedly been recognized in major international rankings for the efficiency and quality of its passenger services.
Q. Is it true that wind can cause delays to flights to and from Cape Town?
Yes, the strong south-easterly wind locally known as the "Cape Doctor", more frequent in summer between December and March, can cause turbulence and occasional delays: a factor to keep in mind if your flight is scheduled during that time of year.
Q. Is the wine region easy to reach from Cape Town?
Yes, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are about 40-50 minutes by car from the airport: many visitors rent a car right at the airport for the day.
Q. How can I travel safely from Cape Town airport?
Book an official taxi or transfer rather than relying on unauthorized drivers, as in any large South African city.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
