Last Updated on September 19, 2024 by Hannah Stephenson
Wherever you travel, it’s always worth knowing how you’re going to get from the airport to your accommodation, and Cape Town is no different.
In Cape Town, there are relatively few ways to get from the airport to the city – and even fewer that you should actually consider.
Fortunately, getting from the airport to the city isn’t actually that complicated, but there are some important things to know to be safe and avoid getting ripped off.
Due to my lack of long-term visa, I’m always flying in and out of Cape Town. I’m pretty much a pro at airport transfers by now, so I’ve created this guide to make it super easy for you!
How far is Cape Town airport from the city?
Not very far!
Cape Town International Airport is 19.5 kilometres (12.1 miles) from the city centre. If there’s not much traffic, it only takes about 20 minutes to get there.
However, if you leave the airport and head to town between 7:30 and 9 am, when lots of workers are heading into the city, the journey could take the best part of an hour.
The journey time also varies according to where you’re staying. Here’s how long it takes to get from Cape Town airport to the city’s best neighbourhoods to stay in.
- Sea Point: 30 minutes
- Green Point: 25 minutes
- Dewaterkant: 20 minutes
- Camps Bay: 30 minutes
- Tamboerskloof: 25 minutes
- Gardens: 25 minutes
What’s the best way of getting from Cape Town International Airport to the city?
Renting a car
If you’re thinking of renting a car in Cape Town, then you can pick your vehicle up at the airport and drive into the city. And if you’re unsure, I’ve got a blog post that can help you decide!
I don’t have a car, but I use Discover Cars whenever I need to rent one in Cape Town. They’re basically Booking.com but for rental cars, and I have always had great experiences with them.
Car rental prices are pretty reasonable in Cape Town. You can rent a small car for as little as R2,000 per week! Bigger cars start at around R4,000 per week. Of course, rates do fluctuate seasonally and it’s usually cheaper to book your vehicle in advance.
Uber
If you’re not going to rent a car in Cape Town, then you can get an Uber or book a private transfer.
Getting an Uber from Cape Town airport is a bit of a faff sometimes – in fact, it took me about 20 minutes last time I did it! Taxi touts also kept hassling me while I waited, which was annoying.
However, it is a bit cheaper than a private transfer and you will get one eventually. In fact, the typical price for an Uber from the airport to town is between R150 to R350.
The free airport WiFi is mostly decent, so you should be able to use it to call an Uber. You can buy SIM cards at the airport, or use AirAlo to get an eSIM.
The ride hailing pickup area is in Parkade 1 – ignore blogs that say Parkade 2, because that changed in 2021 and so is out of date!
Then, leave the airport, stay on the ground floor, and follow the signs to Parkade 1. Stay on the ground floor. Some blogs will tell you the ride hailing pickup area is in Parkade 2, but this changed in 2021.
Private transfer
If you don’t have the energy to deal with the annoying taxi touts, or want the security of having a ride booked in advance, then a private transfer is a good option.
Your driver will be waiting for you at arrivals with a sign and you’ll head straight to the car rather than having to buy a SIM card and wait for an Uber.
It’s a bit pricier, but it definitely saves time so I think it’s worth the extra cost. It can also be difficult to get an Uber if you land late at night, whereas your private driver will be there waiting for you at any time!
This top-rated private transfer is for up to 3 people and costs R400. The driver will track your flight time so you don’t need to worry if your flight is delayed. Plus, you can make changes or cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before you’re due to be picked up.
Meanwhile, if you’ve got 4 people, you can book a private transfer for your group for R695. This option has over 300 5-star reviews, making it a super reliable choice.
What other modes of transport are available?
The dreaded, unscrupulous taxis.
In South Africa, the word “taxi” doesn’t refer to a cab. It refers to big shuttle vans that tear manically through the city and have no regard for the rules of the road.
Taxis aren’t safe, and I don’t recommend that you take one from Cape Town airport to the city. Or anywhere else, for that matter!
They’ll overcharge you and you may well arrive at your accommodation sans some of your possessions. An Uber or private transfer is faster, cheaper, safer, and more comfortable, since you’re not crammed in a van with lots of other passengers.
Meter taxis are also likely to rip you off. They’ll promise to charge you the same price as an Uber, but more often than not, you’ll end up paying much more than you would for an Uber or private transfer.
Is there public transport between Cape Town airport and the city?
No. There used to be, but not anymore.
The MyCiti bus can be a good way of getting around Cape Town, but the airport service was discontinued in December 2022 due to lack of use. It’s possible it may return in the future, but for now there’s no public transport between the airport and the city centre.
Scams to avoid at Cape Town airport
The only real scam you need to avoid here is being taken in by the taxi drivers. They’ll insist that they’ll give you a good price, but they won’t.
They also won’t drop you off right outside your accommodation like an Uber or private driver will, and it will take a while (despite the speed at which they drive) because you’ll make a ton of stops along the way.
Like I said earlier, some taxi drivers will tell you that they’re an Uber driver or that they’ll give you a private ride. Don’t listen. Just tell them “no, thank you” and move away from them.
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