Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Guide 2026
Cape Town International Airport (IATA: CPT, ICAO: FACT) is South Africa's second-busiest airport and the gateway to the Mother City. Located just 20 km from the city centre in Matroosfontein, the airport handles over 10 million passengers annually. Cape Town is consistently ranked among the world's best cities to visit, famous for Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, Cape Winelands, and stunning coastal drives along Chapman's Peak and the Garden Route.
Airport Overview
| IATA Code | CPT |
| Location | Matroosfontein, Cape Town |
| Distance to City Centre | 20 km to CBD, 30 km to V&A Waterfront |
| Terminals | 2 (Domestic and International — connected) |
| Annual Passengers | ~10.8 million |
| Runways | 1 (3,201m) |
| Operator | Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) |
| Elevation | 46 metres (151 ft) |
Getting There & Away
| Transport | Destination | Cost (ZAR) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyCiti Bus (A01) | Civic Centre (CBD) | R100 | 30-40 min | Best value; every 20 min peak |
| Uber/Bolt | City Centre / CBD | R150-250 | 20-35 min | Convenient; pick-up at arrivals |
| Uber/Bolt | V&A Waterfront | R180-300 | 25-40 min | Popular tourist area |
| Airport Taxi | City Centre | R250-400 | 20-35 min | Metered taxi from arrivals rank |
| Airport Taxi | Camps Bay / Sea Point | R350-500 | 30-45 min | Popular beachfront areas |
| Car Hire | Self-drive | R250-800/day | N/A | Highly recommended for Cape Town |
MyCiti Bus: The A01 route runs directly from the airport to the Civic Centre station in the CBD. Buy a myconnect card (R35 deposit) at the MyCiti kiosk at the airport. Top up with credit for your journey. Buses run every 20 minutes during peak times.
Car Hire Recommended: Cape Town is best explored by car. Roads are excellent, parking is available, and attractions like the Cape Winelands, Cape Point, and the Garden Route require a vehicle.
Terminal Facilities
International Terminal
- Lounges: SLOW Lounge, Bidvest Premier Lounge, LATAM Lounge
- Food & Drink: Mugg & Bean, Vida e Caffe, Ocean Basket, Steers, KFC, craft coffee
- Shopping: Duty-free, Out of Africa, Cape Union Mart, South African wines, biltong, crafts
- WiFi: Free WiFi (1 hour per session, reconnectable)
- Charging Points: Available at gates and in lounges
- ATMs: ABSA, Standard Bank, FNB, Nedbank, Capitec
- Currency Exchange: Travelex and Bidvest forex bureaux
Domestic Terminal
- Connected to international terminal via internal walkway
- Similar food and retail offerings
- Separate check-in area for domestic carriers
Immigration & Visa
The same South African visa policy applies as at OR Tambo:
- Visa-Free (90 days): UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
- Visa-Free (30 days): Most SADC countries, Japan, Brazil
- Visa Required: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan — apply before travel
Required: Passport with 2+ blank pages, return ticket, proof of accommodation, yellow fever certificate if applicable.
Queue Times: Cape Town immigration is generally faster than OR Tambo (15-30 minutes). Peak arrivals from Europe and Middle East are 6-10am.
Customs & Declaration
- Currency: Up to ZAR 25,000 in cash; foreign currency up to US$10,000 without declaration
- Alcohol: 1 litre spirits, 2 litres wine
- Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, 250g pipe tobacco
- Gifts: Up to R5,000 in value
- Prohibited: Narcotics, ivory, counterfeit goods, firearms without permit
- Agricultural: Strict quarantine on fresh food, plants, meat products
Currency Exchange & SIM Cards
Currency Exchange
- Forex: Travelex and Bidvest available in arrivals — rates are competitive
- ATMs: All major South African banks in the terminal
- Card payments: Widely accepted; contactless/tap-to-pay common in Cape Town
SIM Cards
| Operator | SIM Cost | 1GB Data | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | R5 | R99 | Excellent |
| MTN | R5 | R99 | Excellent |
| Cell C | R5 | R69 | Good in Cape Town |
RICA registration required — bring your passport. Vodacom store in arrivals handles this in 10 minutes.
Airlines Operating at Cape Town
| Airline | Destinations | Terminal |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | London Heathrow | International |
| Emirates | Dubai | International |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | International |
| KLM | Amsterdam | International |
| Qatar Airways | Doha | International |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Addis Ababa | International |
| Lufthansa | Frankfurt (seasonal) | International |
| South African Airways | Johannesburg, international | Both |
| FlySafair | Johannesburg, Durban, PE, East London | Domestic |
| Airlink | Domestic + Windhoek, Victoria Falls | Domestic |
| CemAir | Bloemfontein, Plettenberg Bay | Domestic |
Accommodation Near the Airport
Near Airport
- Verde Hotel — 500m from terminal, modern eco-hotel (R1,500-2,500/night)
- City Lodge at Cape Town Airport — Adjacent, walking distance (R1,000-1,800/night)
- Road Lodge Cape Town Airport — Budget, adjacent to City Lodge (R500-800/night)
City Centre / Waterfront (20-30 km)
- Table Bay Hotel — V&A Waterfront, 5-star luxury (R3,000-6,000/night)
- DoubleTree by Hilton — Upper Long Street, good value (R1,200-2,000/night)
- Never@Home — Long Street, backpackers/budget hostel (R250-500/night)
Tips for Travellers
Arrival Tips
- Hire a car at the airport if exploring beyond the city — it is the best way to see Cape Town
- The MyCiti bus is the cheapest transport to the CBD (R100)
- Cape Town weather changes rapidly — bring layers even in summer
- Download the Uber and Bolt apps before arrival
Departure Tips
- Arrive 2-3 hours before international flights
- Buy South African wine duty-free — exceptional quality at great prices
- The SLOW Lounge is excellent for pre-departure relaxation
Transit Tips
- If transiting through Cape Town, the city is worth a stopover
- Table Mountain is only 25 minutes from the airport
- The V&A Waterfront has excellent dining and shopping within 30 minutes