Cape Town sits between Table Mountain and two oceans, and the city is small enough that you can be on a beach, up a mountain, and in a wine valley inside the same day. That compactness is the reason a long weekend works here in a way it doesn't in most destinations.
It is also South Africa's most seasonal city. Summer is dry, bright and busy; winter is green, quiet and considerably cheaper. Neither is the wrong answer, but they are different trips, and the fare difference between them is large enough to be worth planning around.
When to go
Best time to fly to Cape Town
December to February
Peak summer — warm, dry and busy. Book well ahead; this is when both fares and accommodation are at their highest.
March to May
Autumn, and for many the best balance — the summer wind has dropped, the crowds have thinned, and prices come down with them.
June to August
Winter. Cool and wet, with the greenest landscapes and the lowest fares of the year. Good for wine country and indoor city days.
September to November
Spring — wildflowers, whale watching along the coast, and shoulder-season pricing before the December surge.
Getting there
How long is the flight to Cape Town?
| From | Flight time | Stops |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg (JNB) | about 2 hours | Non-stop |
| Durban (DUR) | about 2 hours | Non-stop |
| Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) (PLZ) | about 1 hour 20 minutes | Non-stop |
Times are approximate scheduled durations and vary by airline and routing. Your search results show the exact times for your dates.
On arrival
Getting from the airport into Cape Town
Cape Town International (CPT) is roughly 20 km east of the city centre — about 20 minutes to the CBD outside peak hours, longer in morning and late-afternoon traffic. Metered taxis, e-hailing and car hire all operate from the terminal, and the MyCiTi bus runs a scheduled service between the airport and the Civic Centre in town.
Practicalities
Know before you go
- Domestic flight
- Flying from elsewhere in South Africa, this is a domestic route — no passport or visa needed, though you will still need photo ID to fly.
- Currency
- South African rand (ZAR). Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Language
- English is universally spoken, alongside Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
- Wind
- The south-easter blows hardest from November to February. It is the reason a still summer day in Cape Town feels like a gift, and the reason Table Mountain's cableway sometimes closes at short notice.
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Flying to Cape Town, answered
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Last reviewed by Fly n Pay Later editorial team.