Flying from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport (CPT): What you need to know
Kick off your journey at one of Johannesburg's main airports, O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) or Lanseria International Airport (HLA). Explore your options for booking a flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) departing from either of these.
Take a direct Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport flight and you'll be travelling for around 2 hours 15 minutes.
Cape Town (where Cape Town International Airport is located) and Johannesburg share the UTC+2 timezone. You'll have no time difference to factor in for your trip.
The most popular route is from O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) to Cape Town International Airport (CPT), with 292 direct services every week. If you're ready to head out sooner, the earliest flight from JNB to CPT is the 5:55am Safair option. If a later flight fits your day better, the last departure is at 9:05pm with South African Airways.
Your flight from Johannesburg to CPT won't wait if you're late, so get to the airport on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're travelling internationally.
Peak season means busier airports, so be there even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for an international journey to keep to your schedule.
Airports in Johannesburg
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
You can book a direct flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) out of O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
Direct flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport are operated by a good selection of airlines at JNB. Book your seat with any of these:
Safair is the most frequently booked airline offering flights from JNB to CPT.
Among carriers on this route, Airlink (South Africa) has the highest rate of on-time arrivals.
Travelling from central Johannesburg to JNB takes around 1 hour 10 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a cab, you'll cover the 29 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a hassle-free start to your holiday? Stay near O.R. Tambo International Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the ideal choice:
77.1% of flights leaving from O.R. Tambo International Airport touch down at their destination on time.
Lanseria International Airport (HLA)
Thinking of flying out of Lanseria International Airport (HLA)? Direct Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) plane tickets are available from here.
Take a direct flight from Johannesburg to CPT with Safair. This is one of the leading airlines operating this route out of HLA.
Safair is the most frequently booked airline flying from HLA to CPT.
HLA is around 48 kilometres from central Johannesburg. It takes 50 minutes or so to get to the airport when driving from the city centre.
Get a head start on your holiday with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Johannesburg to CPT flight, unwind in one of these hotels close to Lanseria International Airport:
About Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport. Make yourself comfy at one of these accommodation options near CPT instead:
Pick up a Cape Town International Airport rental car and explore Cape Town and beyond with your own set of wheels. Europcar, Carwiz and First - Car Hire are popular outlets to choose from here.
For the best deal, reserve your ride around one week in advance of your Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport flight.
How to find the cheapest flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport is P2,296. For a return flight on this route, the best price is P4,723. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
Book 11 months before travelling. Pricing trends show that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Johannesburg to CPT.
The best month for landing cheap Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport tickets is April. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Johannesburg to CPT is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when a lower fare pops up.
Find a cheap flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport by using filters. Select your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Think about your travel style when planning your trip dates. April is the quietest month to visit Cape Town. June is when most people book flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which may be ideal if you're chasing more action.
Before locking in your Johannesburg to CPT plane ticket, consider what kind of weather you prefer. February is the warmest month in Cape Town, with temperatures ranging from 16ºC (61ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
July has temperatures of between 9ºC (48ºF) and 19ºC (66ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Cape Town
After booking your flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town International Airport, find a hotel that offers the right mix of comfort and location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Cape Town:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Table Mountain, Cecilia, Table Mountain and The Rock are must-visits when exploring Cape Town.
Explore more of South Africa
Cape Town has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of South Africa waiting to be discovered. About 121 kilometres north-west of Cape Town, a trip to Saldanha will keep you on the move. Start with attractions like North Head Lighthouse, Saldanha Bay Harbour and NG Kerk Saldanha.
Ceres is another sought-after destination in South Africa and is around 97 kilometres north-east of Cape Town. No trip is complete without experiencing Ceres Mountain Fynbos Nature Reserve, Ceres Mosque and Ceres Sportgronde.