Cape Town International Airport, known as CPT, serves as South Africa’s second-busiest airport, handling over 10 million passengers annually with a modern and efficient setup. Located 20 kilometres from the city centre in Matroosfontein, it connects travellers to over 40 destinations across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America, with airlines like South African Airways, BA, and Emirates. Its single-terminal design, split into domestic and international sections linked by a central hub, ensures a straightforward experience for passengers exploring the Western Cape or connecting globally.
Accessing the airport is convenient, with multiple transport options to and from Cape Town. The MyCiTi bus service operates every 20 minutes from 5:00 am to midnight, reaching the Civic Centre in about 30 minutes for €2 to €4. Private shuttles, available 24/7, connect to destinations like the V&A Waterfront and Stellenbosch, with fares starting at €15.
Taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber, stationed outside the central terminal, offer a 20-minute ride to the city centre for €10 to €15. Drivers can use nearly 6,000 parking spaces, including multi-storey and shaded lots, with rates starting at €2 per hour and a 30-minute free drop-off zone. Car rental agencies, such as Avis and Hertz, are located in the Transport Plaza, accessible via pedestrian subways. Passengers should arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international ones to account for check-in and security.
The airport’s layout is user-friendly, with a central terminal housing 120 check-in desks and 20 self-service kiosks, connecting to domestic and international wings. Arrivals are on the ground floor, departures on the upper levels, and a food court and lounges on the third and fourth floors. Clear signage and a compact design keep walking times short, but peak seasons, particularly December to March, can lead to congestion at immigration and security, especially for international flights. Baggage claim delays, sometimes due to limited carousels or staffing issues, may occur, so passengers should check flight updates via the airport’s website or Flightradar24. Recent social media posts mention occasional understaffing at passport control, particularly for non-Schengen arrivals, causing waits of up to 90 minutes.
Dining and retail options are plentiful, with over 40 outlets across the terminals. The third-floor food court features restaurants like Ocean Basket, Mugg & Bean, and a large Spur, alongside fast-food options like Wimpy and KFC. Duty-free shops by Heinemann in the international terminal offer souvenirs, luxury goods, and local crafts, while landside stores include bookstores and clothing retailers. Prices are slightly above city averages, with a coffee costing around €2.50. Lounges like Bidvest Premier, SLOW, and BA Galleries, located on the fourth floor, provide Wi-Fi, snacks, and showers for €30 to €40, accessible via Priority Pass. Crowded dining areas during peak times suggest eating before security.
Facilities cater to traveller needs, with free Wi-Fi for up to four hours or 1GB of data. Charging stations, ATMs, currency exchange, baggage wrapping, and storage at €5 per bag are available, alongside a pharmacy, post office, prayer rooms, and a chapel. Accessibility is prioritised, with ramps, lifts, and assistance services bookable 48 hours in advance via the Landside Hotline (021 935 3737). A children’s play area and baby-changing facilities are provided, though seating is mostly rigid with armrests. Two hotels, Hotel Verde and Road Lodge, are within the airport precinct, offering convenient stays without shuttles.
On-time performance is strong, with the airport ranking highly in 2025 AirHelp Scores for punctuality. Delays are typically caused by weather, particularly strong winds, or airline-specific issues like equipment problems. Passengers can monitor real-time updates via in-terminal screens. As a hub for South African Airways, CPT facilitates connections, with minimum transfer times of 40 minutes for domestic-to-domestic and 60 to 80 minutes for international transfers. The lack of a dedicated transit area means all passengers must clear immigration and security, which can slow non-Schengen connections. Those on separate tickets should verify luggage policies.
Cape Town Airport’s modern design, accessible transport, and ample amenities make it a practical choice for travellers. Ongoing expansions, including new runways and a larger immigration area, aim to enhance capacity. While peak-season queues and limited seating pose challenges, the airport’s services ensure a pleasant journey to South Africa’s legislative capital.
