Cape Town Intl Airport (CPT) Flights & Flight Status

The third largest airport on the continent of Africa, Cape Town International Airport (CPT), is a fantastic, compact airport serving the city of Cape Town and the surrounding wine country of South Africa. It is a mere 30-minute drive from downtown Cape Town, which is locally called the CBD (Central Business District).

A major highway leads directly to the city and it is very easy to navigate. If you’re heading to the winelands, it’s under an hour’s drive from CPT.

As a South African with a home in Cape Town, this is the airport I have used most in my life. Flying in or out you will catch spectacular views of the famed Table Mountain and the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. I have used this airport to get to Europe, Asia and the United States, but it’s also useful as a gateway to safaris with plenty of flights into the bush.

Terminals and check-in

Although this airport was built in the 1950s, it is a modern building with all the facilities you might need as a traveler coming to South Africa. There are 2 terminals at CPT and they are connected by a central space.

CPT is a multi-level building with departures situated on the upper floors and arrivals on the floors below. Check-in for all flights is found in the central main of the terminal building. International departures leave from the northern section of the terminal and domestic flights are to the south, but both are accessed after the central security checkpoint.

Retail selections at the airport

All shops are located in the lower arrivals area of the main terminal. There is a great little shop called Woolworths where you can get a superb flat white coffee, some grocery items (I pick up groceries right here upon arriving from the US to take home to my place in Cape Town), and even items you might need for the house like cleaning materials and toiletries.

There is also Link Pharmacy in the central area of the terminal if you need anything medical – you’ll find it under the escalators.

Books & Things sells the latest South African magazines – I always pick up the design magazine VISI to check out the latest local styles – and books, of course. There are also a few snack shops, clothing stores and a big souvenir selection for last-minute gifts or mementos. After security there are similar stores, along with a big selection of duty-free shopping options and even more souvenirs.

Food and drink at the airport

Restaurants are located on the third floor above the departures level. Here you’ll find a Spur, which has a big meat selection and a famed salad bar. You’ll also find Ocean Basket, which is great for casual seafood, and Primi Café for classic Italian options.

If you want the biggest muffin of your life, try the Mugg and Bean, where they also have coffee and tea, additional hot drinks and full meals (they are a favorite for panini sandwiches). The restaurant level overlooks the airside of the terminal.

My favorite coffee place is Vida E Cafe, a Portuguese inspired cafe where there are delicious, sweet treats like pasteis de nata and a selection of great coffees. The airport is technically open 24 hours per day, but many of the restaurants do close around 9 pm.

Other services at CPT

For a smaller airport, CPT is well appointed with anything you may need. In terms of these services there are banks – although South Africa is now well equipped with tap-to-pay credit card functionality pretty much all over – and Forex, where you can get local currency, Rand, and also exchange money if needed.

There is also a VAT refund point at CPT, and here you can get tax back on purchases you made while shopping in South Africa. It can be a little complicated, and you will need paperwork prepared by each store where you made the purchases, so plan ahead with a bit of research if you want to take advantage of this. There is also a post office, where I sometimes stop to send postcards.

If you need Wi-Fi, you can take advantage of the free Wi-Fi networks available. You can connect easily by following the prompts and there is no password or additional information required.

Because you can only take a small bag with you on to most safari lodges, I have often taken advantage of the ability to leave bags behind temporarily at CPT. A-Teck, which is on the ground floor towards the parking area 2, will store your larger bags for a fee (or anything else you want to leave behind).

Hotels at Cape Town International Airport

There are 2 hotels at Cape Town International Airport: The Hotel Verde, which is a 4-star property, and a budget hotel called City Lodge. They have shuttles that pick up right outside the terminal in the southern parking area.

There are a host of really great hotels in the city, and it’s less than a 30-minute drive in a taxi (and very inexpensive) so I always recommend checking-in at a hotel in the city instead. I highly recommend staying at the iconic Cape Grace directly on the V&A Waterfront. From here you can easily walk to a great dinner and many shops.

Lounges

There are a few different lounge options at CPT, depending on which terminal you are in. On the domestic side, my favorite lounge is the SLOW lounge. There are only a few beautifully designed airport lounges in the world, and this is one of them. It’s gorgeous. However, it’s only for certain credit card holders and you cannot pay to enter on a day pass.

On the international side, I enjoy both the South African Airways lounge and the British Airways lounge.

Parking

There is ample parking available at CPT, including locations on both sides of the main transport plaza. You can choose a range of options from short-term to extra long-term, and there are shaded parking areas available to protect your car from the South African sun. There is also a pick-up parking area that allows temporary parking for up to 20 minutes while you greet your arriving passengers.

Renting a car at the airport

I go to Cape Town several times every year and I rent a car every time. I find this to be the most convenient way to leave the airport and get around the city while I’m in town. To do the same, exit the terminal, walk out through a tunnel under the main road, and arrive at the rental car area.

Several major rental agencies can be found here and they are all open 24 hours a day. There are a few local brands, too. Renting a car in South Africa generally comes with no complications and you can easily pick up your car right next to the car rental desks any time.

I recommend not renting a flashy car, though. For safety reasons, it’s more appropriate to stick with a simple, ordinary car, and there are always plenty of these available.

Public transport at the airport

Cape Town International Airport is very easy to reach and has many options for getting to the city. There are car hire services, shuttles and taxis onsite.

The shuttle service runs from CPT airport to Cape Town CBD, as well as some other destinations across the Western Cape.

Taxi service can be booked online before arrival. There are a few companies that offer this service at CPT, and a few more with desks near the escalators available on arrival. Of course, the rideshare companies are also available here, and you can catch these at parking area 2, which is found on the southern side of the airport.

Whichever option you choose, do not use unauthorized vehicles. Ensure that you have booked with a company that is reputable.