LHR - CPT

$493 Find Cheap Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$820
Typical prices: $978-$1,507
Lufthansa
Thu 12/6Fri 12/21
LHR - CPT • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$941
Typical prices: $1,114-$1,629
British Airways
Sun 3/4Fri 3/9
LHR - CPT • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Average duration is 11h 43m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 98% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 7% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 11% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $926 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 14h 53m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Cape Town!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Heathrow to Cape Town (LHR-CPT)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Heathrow to Cape Town

Sun, Dec 6 - Mon, Dec 21
Lufthansa Logo
8:45 am - 7:40 amLHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
20h 55m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss
Lufthansa Logo
9:30 am - 10:55 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
15h 25m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss
$820Lufthansa
Thu, Dec 3 - Wed, Dec 16
Lufthansa Logo
8:45 am - 7:40 amLHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
20h 55m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss
Lufthansa Logo
9:30 am - 10:55 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
15h 25m1 stop Munich Franz Josef Strauss
$821Lufthansa
Tue, Apr 13 - Tue, Apr 27
SWISS Logo
8:05 pm - 6:40 amLHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
33h 35m1 stop Zurich
SWISS Logo
8:50 am - 9:45 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
13h 55m1 stop Zurich
$823SWISS
Tue, Apr 6 - Tue, Apr 20
SWISS Logo
8:05 pm - 6:40 amLHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
33h 35m1 stop Zurich
SWISS Logo
8:50 am - 9:45 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
13h 55m1 stop Zurich
$825SWISS
Thu, Mar 4 - Tue, Mar 9
British Airways Logo
10:20 pm - 12:10 pmLHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
11h 50mnonstop
British Airways Logo
10:10 pm - 8:10 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
12h 00mnonstop
$941British Airways
Thu, Mar 4 - Wed, Mar 17
British Airways Logo
10:20 pm - 12:10 pmLHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
11h 50mnonstop
British Airways Logo
10:10 pm - 8:10 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
12h 00mnonstop
$942British Airways
Wed, Mar 3 - Tue, Mar 9
Virgin Atlantic Logo
9:10 pm - 10:45 amLHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
11h 35mnonstop
Virgin Atlantic Logo
7:35 pm - 5:25 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
11h 50mnonstop
$950Virgin Atlantic
Tue, Feb 9 - Thu, Feb 18
Qatar Airways Logo
8:10 pm - 5:25 pmLHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
19h 15m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
Qatar Airways Logo
12:35 pm - 8:00 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
21h 25m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
$970Qatar Airways
Wed, Feb 17 - Thu, Mar 4
Qatar Airways Logo
2:15 pm - 10:30 amLHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
18h 15m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
Qatar Airways Logo
12:35 pm - 2:00 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
27h 25m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
$974Qatar Airways
Mon, Mar 15 - Thu, Mar 18
Virgin Atlantic Logo
10:30 pm - 12:05 pmLHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
11h 35mnonstop
Virgin Atlantic Logo
9:00 pm - 6:50 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
11h 50mnonstop
$998Virgin Atlantic
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

Round-trip flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town typically range from $978 to $1,507. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $820, on Lufthansa.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Sunday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town. It’s 3% cheaper than the average day, while Saturday is the most expensive, with prices 10% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

•June is the cheapest month to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town at $1,049 round-trip.
•December ($1,587) and July ($1,330) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 51% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town the cheapest?

Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town are cheapest 4 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 7% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Heathrow to Cape Town

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Duncan Madden

Duncan Madden

Expert on British Airways and LHR

Duncan is a freelance travel writer, copywriter and book author in constant search of travel stories and the perpetual sensation of being on holiday. He’s never happier than when on a dusty trail in search of empty waves or ducking under the piste tape in search of snowbound solitude. British born, living in Germany, but happiest heading for the horizon. His first book, Found in Translation, explores the etymologies and stories of country names around the world and is out now.

Laura Ratliff

Laura Ratliff

Expert on Virgin Atlantic

Laura Ratliff is a New York-based writer and editor. She lives in downtown Brooklyn with her husband and their beloved dogs. Originally from Texas, she now considers New York City her home. She typically spends more than 200,000 miles on a plane each year and stays in plenty of hotels.

Daniel Scheffler

Daniel Scheffler

Expert on CPT

Daniel Scheffler is a travel writer, podcaster, and producer. Born in Africa, bred in Europe and now living in America he has traveled to 140 countries (and all 50 U.S. states). Plus he has stayed at over 2500 hotels across the globe. His original shows Everywhere and Without Maps (available on Spotify) showcase his beliefs, travel is about humanity and sharing that beauty. And thus it reminds you that you shouldn’t believe everything you think.

Key details for London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town flights

Low season

May

Cheapest flight

$493
Beat the crowds with an average 54% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 82% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town

When to book flights from Heathrow to Cape Town

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Heathrow to Cape Town based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town:

    • Earliest: departs at 6:25 pm and lands at 6:08 am
    • Latest: departs at 10:30 pm and lands at 10:13 am.

    The flight takes about 11h 43m.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    Three cabin classes are available on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class

  • How long is a flight from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    A nonstop flight from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town takes 11h 43m, covering 6,012 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town flight?

    Round-trip flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town range from $978 to $1,507, with an average of $1,185 over the past 12 months. Anything below $978 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 0% above the $1,185 route average. Book 4 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $926 round-trip via Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl (NBO), compared to $1,300 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $93–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 777-300ER variants.

  • How are flight departures from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town spread across the day?

    Evening is the busiest departure period on London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town flights, with 50% of flights leaving in that window. Night departures account for 50%, morning flights for 0%, and afternoon flights for 0%.

  • How are flight prices from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town looking right now?

    One-way fares from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $666, which is 23% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Cape Town Intl Airport (CPT)?

    Cape Town Intl Airport (CPT) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging $27 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Sixt
    • Europcar
    • Woodford
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Hertz

  • Which airports can I use when flying from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    Flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town usually depart from London Heathrow (LHR) and arrive at Cape Town Intl (CPT).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route, while evening departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town route, 11% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1h 54m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town pass through?

    One-stop flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town most commonly connect through:

    • Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) - 32% of one-stop connections
    • Zurich (ZRH) - 13% of one-stop connections
    • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) - 12% of one-stop connections
    • Frankfurt am Main (FRA) - 10% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 12% on flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town. Sunday is the cheapest departure day at $1,152 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $1,305, a difference of $153.

    Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • What airlines fly from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    2 airlines operate flights between London Heathrow Airport and Cape Town. The airlines offering nonstop flights on this route include:

    • British Airways
    • Virgin Atlantic

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

    Flying via Frankfurt am Main (FRA) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 14h 53m, compared with 15h 09m via Zurich (ZRH) and 15h 37m via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS).

  • What is the time difference between London Heathrow Airport and Cape Town?

    Cape Town is 2 hours ahead of London Heathrow Airport (South Africa Time vs British Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Cape Town?

    Some of the most popular sights in Cape Town are Cape Town International Convention Centre, Sea Point Pavilion and Camps Bay Beach. These are among the most viewed places in Cape Town on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town flights?

    Among airlines operating London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town flights:

    • Virgin Atlantic: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • KLM: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Virgin Atlantic: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • British Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • KLM: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

  • Can I fly directly between London Heathrow Airport and Cape Town Airport (CPT)?

    Yes, you can fly directly between London Heathrow Airport and Cape Town Airport with British Airways. This tends to take about 11h 30min and is the only airline that flies this route uninterrupted. There are also options for indirect flights, which take a little bit longer but may be a bit cheaper. You can fly with KLM, for example, and transfer in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) before continuing your journey.

  • Can I get through security quickly at Heathrow Airport?

    Yes, when you arrive at Heathrow Airport it is possible to get through security quickly. However, you must book this in advance by at least 24h. The Fast Track Security service is available at all the terminals in the airport, costing approximately £12.50. It’s a great way to avoid the queues and get to the waiting area or your lounge ahead of a long flight.

  • Are there hotels near the airport I can stay at?

    Yes, there are many hotels where you can stay prior to your flight from Heathrow, should you not want to be in a rush for your flight. The direct routes to Cape Town that fly from Heathrow leave from Terminal 3, so you could stay at Hilton Garden Inn, which is conveniently located only a few minutes away from the terminal building.

  • How can I get from Cape Town Airport to the city centre?

    Once you’ve landed at Cape Town Airport, it’s easy to continue your journey with the airport offering a variety of ways to travel. Apart from taxis, which are out the front of the terminal building, you can get a MyCiti bus, which takes about 30min in total and can be located on the ground floor at the front of the main terminal building.

Your guide to booking London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Sunday departure and avoid flying on Saturday. On this route, Sunday flights average $1,152, about $153 less than Saturday fares (12% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 4 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 7% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town trip for June. Fares historically average $1,049 round-trip in that month - typically $538 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with Virgin Atlantic. Over the past three months, 98% of Virgin Atlantic flights from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 89%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 1h 54m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Airport (NBO) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $926 round-trip on this route - about $374 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Cape Town Intl Airport.

    • Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
    • Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport
    • Mbalentle
  • Getting to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) for your trip to Cape Town is easy. From the city centre, you can choose public transport such as the Piccadilly Line or the Heathrow Express; whereas, those travelling by car can reach the airport via exit 14 or 15 on the M25.
  • You may also want to check flights from Gatwick Airport (LGW) if you live in the south of the UK, as that airport might be more convenient for you. It also offers flights to Cape Town, albeit with one stop, which are of a similar cost.
  • With Cape Town being approximately a 1h 30min trip to Hermanus and a 1h journey to Grotto Bay by car, it serves as a great airport to continue your onward journey, should you be travelling to any of these locations.
  • When you’re waiting for your flight at Heathrow Airport, you can take some time for yourself at one of the many lounges they have. Lounges, like that of Aspire, provide shower facilities, Wi-Fi and a quiet zone for about £25 per person, so you can chill out before takeoff.
  • Should you require assistance with mobility at Heathrow Airport, then you can request this by calling the Assistance Host Area 48h prior to takeoff. On the day of your flight, you can either get assistance from one of the host area reception desks in the check-in zones or arrange for assistance directly from the mode of transport that you arrive in.

Prefer to fly direct from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from London Heathrow Airport to Cape Town Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

London Heathrow to Cape Town Intl

Monday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Tuesday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Wednesday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Thursday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Friday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Saturday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Sunday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Cape Town Intl to London Heathrow

Monday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Tuesday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Wednesday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Thursday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Friday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Saturday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Sunday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Heathrow to Cape Town

Complete your trip to Cape Town with a hotel stay or car rental