Cape Town Airport Guide

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is the principal airport for Cape Town and the Western Cape. It is in Matroosfontein, east of central Cape Town.

The airport uses one Central Terminal Building. The official ACSA terminal map places domestic facilities on the north side and international facilities on the south side, with the departures/check-in level in the central building. The domestic and international secure areas are separate, so use the security and passport-control route shown for your flight.

Key fact: CPT is one terminal complex, but domestic and international passengers use separate secure flows. A domestic/international connection therefore involves the public central building and the departure formalities for the onward flight.

Terminal Layout

The Central Terminal Building houses both operations:

• Central departures/check-in level: airline counters and access to the appropriate departure channel
• Domestic side: north side of the complex
• International side: south side, with passport control
• Arrivals: separate domestic and international flows on the arrivals level

Airline ticketing, baggage acceptance, through-check arrangements, and minimum connection times vary. Use the time printed in a protected itinerary or obtain a connection recommendation from the operating airline; do not substitute a generic airport-wide minimum.

International Arrival Process

If arriving internationally and connecting to a domestic flight:

1. Follow signs to South African immigration.
2. Collect checked baggage.
3. Clear customs.
4. Continue through the public arrivals area to domestic departures in the same terminal complex.
5. Check or re-check baggage as instructed by the airline, then clear domestic security.

The South African Revenue Service traveller guide says a traveller continuing to a destination inside South Africa must clear customs at the first South African airport and cannot treat the domestic leg as an international transit. Leave a generous buffer and follow the airline's instructions for the bag handoff.

Domestic to International

When connecting from a domestic flight to an international departure:

1. Arrive through the domestic side and follow signs to international departures in the central building.
2. Check in or complete the airline's baggage handoff.
3. Clear international security and passport control.
4. Proceed to the assigned gate.

For international-to-international travel, whether you can remain in transit depends on the itinerary, boarding-pass and baggage arrangements, and entry/transit-document requirements. Confirm the process with the airline before travel.

Cape Town International is east of the city and has no passenger-rail station. Ground transport is by road, principally via the N2, and journey time can vary sharply with traffic.

ACSA's official public-transport directory lists authorized airport taxis, shuttles, and app-based ride services. Rental cars and pre-arranged hotel transfers are also available. Confirm the pickup point for your chosen operator; ACSA's map places e-hailing pickup at P2 on the ground floor.

Uber and Bolt are widely used in Cape Town and are the most popular options for airport transfers. Both apps work reliably at CPT.

Rideshare pickup:

• Follow signs to "Uber/Rideshare" pickup zone
• Located on the ground floor of the parking garage
• Wait times typically 5-10 minutes

Typical rideshare fares:

Destination	Uber/Bolt Estimate
Cape Town CBD	R200-350 (~$11-19 USD)
V&A Waterfront	R200-350 (~$11-19 USD)
Camps Bay	R300-450 (~$16-24 USD)
Sea Point	R250-400 (~$14-22 USD)
Stellenbosch	R350-500 (~$19-27 USD)
Franschhoek	R550-750 (~$30-41 USD)

Metered taxis are available from the official taxi rank outside arrivals. They are more expensive than rideshare apps but do not require a smartphone. Expect to pay R350-500 to the city center.

Airport shuttle services like SuperShuttle and Airport Link offer shared rides at lower per-person rates. These are bookable in advance and pick up from the arrivals hall.

Safety note: Only use official taxis from the designated rank or licensed rideshare apps. Avoid informal offers from touts inside the terminal.

MyCiTi airport service suspended

MyCiTi's official airport-services page marks its airport service as temporarily suspended. The agency's suspension notice states that the service stopped on 1 December 2022. Do not go to the former airport stop expecting the A01 bus; check MyCiTi for any restoration before travel.

Current public-transport choices

There is no direct scheduled city bus or passenger rail listed by the airport operator. For a trip without a private car, use an authorized taxi, shuttle, or app-based ride from the official pickup areas. If taking MyCiTi elsewhere in Cape Town after reaching the city, plan that separate connection through MyCiTi's current journey planner.

Cape Town International offers several parking options:

Short-term parking (P1):

• First 30 minutes: Free
• Per hour: R40 (~$2.20 USD)
• Daily maximum: R200 (~$11 USD)
• Covered parking, closest to terminal

Long-term parking (P2):

• Per day: R85-120 (~$4.70-6.60 USD)
• Free shuttle to terminal
• Uncovered

Premium parking:

• Valet and premium covered options available
• From R250/day (~$14 USD)

Off-site alternatives:

• Various off-site operators near the airport offer rates from R60-80/day with shuttle service
• Popular operators: Park N Fly, Airport Parking Solutions

Pre-booking through the airport website or third-party platforms can offer discounts of 10-20%.

Cape Town International has improved its dining options, with a mix of local and international chains:

Domestic Departures:

• Mugg & Bean: South African coffee chain, breakfast and sandwiches
• Steers: South African burger chain
• Ocean Basket: Seafood (South African chain)
• Seattle Coffee Company: Coffee and light bites
• Wimpy: Fast food, South African institution

International Departures:

• Dulce Cafe: Coffee, pastries, and light meals
• News Cafe: Bar and casual dining
• Quench: Healthy options, smoothies
• African Trading Port: South African-themed, local cuisine

Airside (after security):

• Selection of grab-and-go options
• Limited sit-down dining compared to major European/Asian hubs

Tip: Food prices at the airport carry a premium of 30-50% over city prices. For better value on short waits, eat before arriving at the airport.

Free WiFi is available throughout Cape Town International:

• Network: "#CPTAirportWiFi" or "CPT Airport Free WiFi"
• Speed: Adequate for browsing and email
• Limit: Free tier may have time/data limits; premium upgrade available

Connection requires accepting terms and conditions. For more reliable connections, airline lounges offer better WiFi speeds.

Purchase SIM cards at arrivals or in the terminal:

Available at the airport:

• Vodacom: South Africa's largest network (best coverage)
• MTN: Strong competitor, good nationwide coverage
• Cell C: Budget option

Typical prepaid packages:

• Vodacom: From R99 (~$5.50 USD) for 2GB data, 30 days
• MTN: From R99 (~$5.50 USD) for 2GB data, 30 days
• Data-only SIMs and larger packages available

Locations:

• Vodacom and MTN kiosks in arrivals hall
• Various retail outlets in the terminal

Documentation required: Foreign passport. South Africa requires SIM registration (RICA), which the airport vendors will process on the spot.

Tip: For visiting wine country or traveling to remote areas, Vodacom generally offers the best coverage.

ATMs are plentiful throughout the terminal:

• Major banks: ABSA, FNB (First National Bank), Standard Bank, Nedbank, Capitec
• Locations: Arrivals hall, departures, and landside areas
• Networks: Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus widely accepted

Currency exchange:

• Travelex: International and domestic terminals
• Bidvest Bank: Currency exchange services

Exchange rate warning: Airport exchange rates include significant markups (5-15%). For better rates:

• Use ATMs to withdraw ZAR directly (check your bank's foreign transaction fees)
• Exchange currency in the city at Rennies Travel or dedicated forex bureaus
• Use a travel-friendly card like Wise or Revolut

South Africa is increasingly card-friendly, but cash is still useful for markets, tips, and smaller vendors. The South African Rand (ZAR) is the currency; common denominations are R10, R20, R50, R100, and R200 notes.

Cape Town International offers duty-free and retail shopping:

Duty-Free (International Departures):

• Flemingo Duty Free: Liquor, fragrances, cosmetics, confectionery
• South African wines and spirits (excellent selection)
• Rooibos tea and local food products

South African specialties:

• Out of Africa: African crafts, souvenirs
• Woolworths: Quality South African retailer (food and clothing)
• Cape Union Mart: Outdoor and travel gear

Notable items to buy:

• South African wine: Excellent value in duty-free
• Biltong and droewors: Dried meat snacks (check import restrictions for your destination)
• Rooibos tea: South African herbal tea
• Local crafts: Beadwork, wire art, African textiles

The duty-free wine selection is a highlight, with award-winning Cape wines at good prices.

Cape Town International has several lounge options:

Priority Pass Lounges

• SLOW Lounge (Domestic): Comfortable seating, snacks, drinks, WiFi. Can get busy during peak hours.
• Bidvest Premier Lounge (International): Standard amenities, food and beverages, showers available.

Airline Lounges

Domestic:

• SLOW Lounge: Open to various airline partners and Priority Pass
• Bidvest Premier Lounge: Available to business class passengers on select airlines

International:

• Bidvest Premier Lounge: Business class passengers, lounge program members
• South African Airways Lounge (when operational): For SAA premium passengers

Credit Card Access

• Some South African bank cards (Discovery, Investec) include lounge access
• International Priority Pass, LoungeKey, and Diners Club accepted at partner lounges

Lounge tip: International departure lounges tend to be less crowded than domestic lounges. If you have flexible access, the international Bidvest lounge often provides a quieter experience.

At the airport:

• City Lodge Hotel: Connected to the terminal via walkway, convenient for early flights (from R1,200/night, ~$66 USD)
• Road Lodge: Budget option adjacent to the airport (from R700/night, ~$38 USD)

Near the airport (with shuttle):

• Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Airport: 5-minute drive (from R1,000/night, ~$55 USD)
• Verde Hotel: Modern option near the airport (from R1,100/night, ~$60 USD)
• StayEasy Century City: 15 minutes away, shuttle available (from R800/night, ~$44 USD)

For layovers:

• City Lodge offers day rooms (check availability)
• Some lounges have rest areas and showers

For late arrivals or early departures, the City Lodge is the most convenient option with its direct walkway connection to the terminal.

Cape Town is consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful cities, with dramatic natural scenery and world-class attractions:

Iconic Cape Town (30-45 min from airport):

• Table Mountain: Take the cableway to the top (R440 return, ~$24 USD). Book online to skip queues. Best on clear days.
• V&A Waterfront: Shopping, dining, and the Two Oceans Aquarium. Easy half-day visit.
• Robben Island: Ferry from V&A Waterfront to the historic prison where Nelson Mandela was held (book in advance).

Beaches (30-50 min from airport):

• Camps Bay: Trendy beach with mountain backdrop and beachfront restaurants
• Clifton Beaches: Four sheltered coves with pristine sand
• Muizenberg: Colorful beach huts, surfing lessons, warmer water (False Bay side)
• Boulders Beach: Famous African penguin colony near Simon's Town (R176 entry, ~$10 USD)

Cape Winelands (30-60 min from airport):

• Stellenbosch: Historic university town, excellent wine estates. Closer to airport than Cape Town city.
• Franschhoek: French Huguenot heritage, top restaurants, wine tram tours
• Paarl: Less touristy, excellent value wineries

Day trips:

• Cape Point/Cape of Good Hope: Dramatic scenery at the peninsula's tip (1.5-hour drive)
• Hermanus: Whale watching (best July-November, 90-minute drive)
• Garden Route: Multi-day drive along the scenic southern coast

Getting around: A rental car is highly recommended for exploring the Cape Peninsula, Winelands, and beyond. Cape Town's attractions are spread out and not well-served by public transit outside the city center.

Safety tips:

• Cape Town is generally safe in tourist areas, but exercise normal city precautions
• Avoid walking alone at night in isolated areas
• Don't leave valuables visible in parked cars
• Uber is a safe and convenient way to get around after dark

Best for short layovers (6-8 hours): Take Uber to the V&A Waterfront, explore the shops and waterfront, then take the cableway up Table Mountain if weather permits. Return via Uber. Allow 5+ hours minimum after clearing customs.