●Peak season: Nov–Mar●Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)●Airport code: CPT●Table Mountain cableway is weather-dependent●Book Robben Island ferries in advance●Wear a jacket — the ‘Cape Doctor’ wind is real
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Plan

Getting Around Cape Town (Airport, Transport & Transfers)

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) sits about 20km from the city centre. Here's how to get in from the airport, and how to move around once you've landed.

Updated 8 August 2026 · Part of the Plan guide

In this guide

  1. From the airport
  2. Getting around the city
  3. Should you hire a car

From Cape Town International Airport into the city

Cape Town International Airport (airport code CPT) is the main gateway for international and domestic flights, located roughly 20km east of the city centre. A few ways to get into town:

  • Rideshare apps (Uber / Bolt) — the most common option for visitors: metered, cashless, and easy to arrange from arrivals.
  • Airport shuttle services — shared or private shuttles that can be booked in advance and often drop directly at hotels.
  • MyCiTi bus (Airport service) — a scheduled public bus service connecting the airport to the city centre, the cheapest option if you're travelling light.
  • Rental car pickup — all major international rental companies operate desks at the airport, useful if you're planning day trips to the Winelands or the Cape Peninsula.
  • Metered taxis — available at a dedicated rank outside arrivals, though generally pricier than rideshare.

Journey time into the city centre is typically 25–40 minutes outside of rush hour, longer during morning and afternoon peak traffic on the N2 highway.

Getting around once you're here

Cape Town is spread across a large area — the city centre, the Atlantic Seaboard, the Southern Suburbs and the Cape Peninsula are all quite distinct, and public transport doesn't connect all of them conveniently. Most visitors use a mix of:

  • Rideshare apps for short trips within the city and Atlantic Seaboard.
  • A rental car for day trips to the Winelands, Cape Point, or along Chapman's Peak Drive.
  • The MyCiTi bus network, which covers the city centre, Atlantic Seaboard and airport route reasonably well.
  • Hop-on-hop-off tour buses, a popular (if touristy) way to string together major sights without driving.
  • Organised tours for destinations like Cape Point, the Winelands or Robben Island, where transport is bundled with the ticket.

Should you hire a car?

If your trip includes day trips — the Winelands, Cape Peninsula or beyond — a rental car makes life significantly easier and gives you control over timing (useful for chasing good weather at Table Mountain or Cape Point). If you're mainly staying within the City Bowl, V&A Waterfront and Atlantic Seaboard, rideshare and walking cover most needs without the hassle of parking.

Local tip: Drive on the left in South Africa. Roundabouts (traffic circles) are common, and it's customary to give a small tip to informal car guards who watch over street parking in many areas.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Cape Town Airport from the city centre?

About 20km (12.5 miles), typically a 25–40 minute drive depending on traffic.

Is public transport good in Cape Town?

It covers some key routes well — notably the MyCiTi bus between the airport, city centre and Atlantic Seaboard — but it doesn't reach every neighbourhood, which is why many visitors combine it with rideshare or a rental car.