Cape Town International Airport

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is South Africa's second busiest airport, serving over 10 million passengers annually. Located in Matroosfontein, approximately 20 km east of Cape Town's city center, it is the primary gateway to the Western Cape region, including the Cape Winelands, Garden Route, and iconic Table Mountain.

The airport operates from a single Central Terminal Building with two distinct areas:

• Domestic Terminal: Handles all flights within South Africa, located on the northern side of the building.
• International Terminal: Handles all international departures and arrivals, located on the southern side of the building.

Both areas share a common central check-in hall, and the terminals are connected within the same building. The domestic and international piers are separate, requiring passengers to pass through the correct security checkpoint for their flight type.

Notable features: The approach to Cape Town often includes spectacular views of Table Mountain on the left side of the aircraft when arriving from the north or east. The airport has undergone significant upgrades for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and continues to modernize its facilities.

Cape Town International is located 20 km east of the Cape Town city center (CBD). Travel times vary based on traffic:

• Cape Town CBD (V&A Waterfront): 20-35 minutes
• Sea Point/Green Point: 25-40 minutes
• Camps Bay: 30-45 minutes
• Stellenbosch (Wine Country): 25-35 minutes
• Franschhoek: 45-60 minutes

Important: Cape Town does not have a rail connection to the airport. All ground transport is via road. The N2 highway connects the airport to the city, but traffic can be heavy during morning (7-9am) and evening (4-6pm) rush hours.

Transport options include Uber/Bolt (most popular), metered taxis, hotel shuttles, and car rental. The MyCiTi bus provides an affordable public transit option.

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 Bus

The MyCiTi A01 route connects the airport to the Civic Centre in central Cape Town:

• Fare: R99 (~$5.50 USD) for airport route
• Journey time: 30-45 minutes to Civic Centre
• Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes during peak hours
• Hours: Approximately 5:30am to 9:30pm (check current timetable)

To use MyCiTi:

1. Purchase a myconnect card at the airport MyCiTi station or kiosk (R35 card fee)
2. Load credit onto the card
3. Tap on when boarding, tap off when exiting
4. Transfer to other MyCiTi routes for onward travel

The MyCiTi stop is located outside the domestic arrivals area. Follow signs to "MyCiTi Bus."

Route note: The A01 terminates at Civic Centre. For destinations like the V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, or Camps Bay, transfer to other MyCiTi routes at Civic Centre (included in fare within 45 minutes).

No Rail Connection

Unlike many international airports, Cape Town International has no rail or metro connection. The Metrorail system serves greater Cape Town but does not extend to the airport. There have been proposals for a rail link, but none are currently under construction.

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.