7-Day Cape Town Itinerary for First-Timers
Flights from the UK and USA
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is well connected to Europe, but flights from overseas usually involve long trips. Direct flights from London take about 11–12 hours. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic both fly direct from London. From the US, most itineraries have at least one stop (common layovers: Doha via Qatar Airways, Dubai via Emirates, Nairobi via Kenya Airways, or Europe via Lufthansa/Delta). These flights typically take 15–20 hours including stops. Airlines like Lufthansa, Qatar, Emirates and Ethiopian all serve CPT. Tip: midweek and winter flights often cost less. Plan to book well in advance, and compare connections – sometimes a cheap flight via Abu Dhabi (Etihad) or Addis Ababa (Ethiopian) can beat a long European layover.
Do I need a visa to travel to Cape Town?
Most visitors from the UK, USA, EU and many other countries do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 30 days after you leave South Africa, and has a couple of blank pages. Important: South Africa is rolling out an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system. Soon, even visa-exempt travellers will need to apply online (similar to US ESTA) ahead of arrival. Check the latest requirements before you travel. Also note: South Africa does not currently require any mandatory vaccinations for short tourist trips (except routine ones like tetanus), but it’s wise to be up to date with basics like tetanus and measles.
What is the airport like?
Cape Town’s airport is modern and easy to use. After disembarking, you’ll go through a short tram ride (or walk) to arrivals. Customs and baggage claim are straightforward. Signs are in English. In the arrivals hall you’ll find currency exchanges (rates are higher here) and plenty of ATMs. You can also buy a local SIM card at the kiosks or vending machines there for cheap local data/voice. There are cafés and shops if you need refreshments. Free Wi-Fi is available (often time-limited or requiring a simple sign-up). Look out for tourist information desks in the hall if you have questions. Overall, it’s a traveler-friendly airport with helpful staff.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
The airport is about 20 km (13 miles) from downtown Cape Town. The fastest way is by taxi or ride-share: metered airport taxis (Touch Down Taxis) wait outside the arrival hall and will drive you into town in ~20 minutes (fare around R260–310). Alternatively, Uber/Bolt rides are a bit cheaper and easily ordered from the arrivals pick-up area. The absolute cheapest way is the MyCiTi Airport Bus (Route A01) – it leaves every 20 minutes from just outside the terminal. A one-way ticket to Civic Centre is about R64 (under £3) – far less than a taxi. The bus is clean and comfortable. Finally, if you’ve rented a car, follow the N2 highway south into the city. Keep in mind traffic: mornings and late afternoons can be busy.
How do I get around Cape Town once I’m here?
Once in the city, you have options. Taxis and Ubers are plentiful and relatively affordable for short trips. The MyCiTi bus network covers many routes (get a MyConnect card) at cheap fares. The popular A01 Airport bus goes to Civic Centre and Waterfront. There is also a local train service (Metrorail) but it mainly serves commuters and can be less reliable for tourists. If you want freedom to explore (think Cape Point, wine regions, coastal villages), renting a car at the airport could be a good idea – English is used and roads are well-marked. But if you plan to stay in central Cape Town, a car isn’t strictly necessary and parking can be limited.
What currency or money options are available at the airport?
Currency exchange and ATM machines are plentiful in arrivals. Most travelers use an ATM to withdraw Rand at a local rate (be mindful of your bank’s fees). Credit cards are accepted at many shops in the terminal too. Note: Airport exchange bureaus usually have poor rates, so only change a small amount if you need immediate cash. There are also banks and a money changer after immigration if needed.
What’s the airport code and time difference?
Cape Town International’s IATA code is CPT. The city is in the South Africa Standard Time zone (GMT+2). In practical terms, Cape Town is usually 1–2 hours ahead of the UK, and 6–8 hours ahead of the US, depending on daylight saving. Plan your flight and sleep schedule accordingly – long flights are easier if you try to sleep some on board.
