NYC - CPT

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$1,017
Typical prices: $1,377-$1,951
Ethiopian Air
Thu 11/15Wed 12/12
JFK - CPT • 2 stops
Cheapest non-stop
$1,605
Typical prices: $1,542-$2,001
SWISS
Fri 1/19Thu 2/15
EWR - CPT • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 14h 25m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
Cheapest • 6% average savings
Most popular
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 19 weeks in advance save around 21% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 12% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $1,162 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 19h 34m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from New York to Cape Town (NYC-CPT)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from New York to Cape Town

Sun, Nov 15 - Sat, Dec 12
Ethiopian Air Logo
3:55 pm - 1:00 pmJFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
38h 05m2 stops Frankfurt am Main Addis Ababa Bole
Ethiopian Air Logo
1:50 pm - 1:35 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
30h 45m2 stops Addis Ababa Bole Frankfurt am Main
$1,017Ethiopian Air
Thu, Nov 26 - Sat, Dec 12
Ethiopian Air Logo
3:55 pm - 2:10 pmJFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
39h 15m2 stops Frankfurt am Main Addis Ababa Bole
Ethiopian Air Logo
1:50 pm - 1:35 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
30h 45m2 stops Addis Ababa Bole Frankfurt am Main
$1,017Ethiopian Air
Mon, Nov 23 - Tue, Dec 1
Multiple Airlines Logo
1:35 pm - 1:35 pmJFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
41h 00m2 stops Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Victoria Falls
Multiple Airlines Logo
5:15 pm - 10:55 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
24h 40m1 stop Istanbul
$1,094Multiple Airlines
Sun, Nov 29 - Sat, Dec 5
Multiple Airlines Logo
1:35 pm - 6:00 amJFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
33h 25m1 stop Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:55 am - 10:25 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
28h 30m1 stop Istanbul
$1,094Multiple Airlines
Fri, Nov 27 - Wed, Dec 2
Kenya Airways Logo
1:35 pm - 1:35 pmJFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
41h 00m2 stops Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Livingstone
Kenya Airways Logo
11:25 pm - 6:35 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
38h 10m1 stop Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl
$1,097Kenya Airways
Sun, Nov 15 - Mon, Nov 30
Kenya Airways Logo
1:35 pm - 6:00 amJFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
33h 25m1 stop Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl
Kenya Airways Logo
2:30 pm - 6:35 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
23h 05m2 stops Victoria Falls Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl
$1,097Kenya Airways
Fri, Feb 12 - Sat, Feb 20
Turkish Airlines Logo
12:50 pm - 12:05 pmJFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
40h 15m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
5:15 pm - 6:20 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
32h 05m1 stop Istanbul
$1,165Turkish Airlines
Thu, Mar 25 - Sat, Apr 3
Qatar Airways Logo
11:20 am - 7:55 pmJFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
26h 35m2 stops Doha Hamad Intl Johannesburg OR Tambo
Qatar Airways Logo
1:15 pm - 10:30 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
39h 15m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
$1,404Qatar Airways
Mon, Mar 22 - Tue, Mar 30
Turkish Airlines Logo
1:25 am - 12:05 pmEWR  Newark-CPT Cape Town Intl
28h 40m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
1:15 am - 10:30 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-EWR Newark
27h 15m1 stop Istanbul
$1,412Turkish Airlines
Mon, Feb 15 - Thu, Feb 25
Qatar Airways Logo
10:30 am - 7:55 pmJFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
26h 25m2 stops Doha Hamad Intl Johannesburg OR Tambo
Qatar Airways Logo
12:35 pm - 8:10 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-JFK New York John F Kennedy Intl
26h 35m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
$1,414Qatar Airways
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for New York 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 New York to Cape Town?

Round-trip flights from New York to Cape Town typically range from $1,377 to $1,951. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $1,017, on Ethiopian Air.

What is the cheapest New York to Cape Town flight route?

There's little price difference between New York to Cape Town routes. They average around $1,673 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from New York to Cape Town?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from New York to Cape Town. It’s 2% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 6% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from New York to Cape Town?

•January is the cheapest month to fly from New York to Cape Town at $1,477 round-trip.
•July ($1,923) and December ($1,868) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 30% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from New York to Cape Town the cheapest?

Flights from New York to Cape Town are cheapest 19 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 21% 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 New York to Cape Town

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

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on EWR

Stefanie Waldek is a freelance space, travel, and design writer based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her words have appeared in Space.com, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, and House Beautiful, among other publications. An expert in aviation and expedition cruising, Stefanie is frequently up in the air or on the sea, likely en route to Antarctica or the Arctic.

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 New York to Cape Town flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

$501
Beat the crowds with an average 45% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 56% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport to Cape Town

When to book flights from New York to Cape Town

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from New York 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 New York 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 New York to Cape Town?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from New York to Cape Town:

    • Earliest: departs at 8:35 pm and lands at 11:00 am
    • Latest: departs at 8:35 pm and lands at 11:00 am.

    The flight takes about 14h 25m.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from New York to Cape Town?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from New York to Cape Town:

    • Economy Class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How long is a flight from New York to Cape Town?

    A nonstop flight from New York to Cape Town takes 14h 25m, covering 7,813 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from New York 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 New York to Cape Town flight?

    Round-trip flights from New York to Cape Town range from $1,377 to $1,951, with an average of $1,672 over the past 12 months. Anything below $1,377 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute New York to Cape Town flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 5% above the $1,672 route average. Book 19 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from New York to Cape Town?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $1,162 round-trip via Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl (NBO), compared to $1,735 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from New York to Cape Town?

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

  • How are flight departures from New York to Cape Town spread across the day?

    Evening is the busiest departure period on New York to Cape Town flights, with 100% of flights leaving in that window. Morning departures account for 0%, afternoon flights for 0%, and night flights for 0%.

  • How are flight prices from New York to Cape Town looking right now?

    One-way fares from New York to Cape Town are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $932, which is 10% 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
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Woodford
    • Budget

  • Which airports can I use when flying from New York to Cape Town?

    Flights from New York to Cape Town may depart from several airports in New York area, including Newark (EWR), New York John F Kennedy Intl (JFK) and New York LaGuardia (LGA). Flights usually arrive at Cape Town Intl (CPT).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from New York to Cape Town pass through?

    One-stop flights from New York to Cape Town most commonly connect through:

    • London Heathrow (LHR) - 35% of one-stop connections
    • Dubai Intl (DXB) - 14% of one-stop connections
    • Istanbul (IST) - 13% of one-stop connections
    • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) - 11% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from New York to Cape Town?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 8% on flights from New York to Cape Town. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $1,640 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $1,781, a difference of $141.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • What airlines fly from New York to Cape Town?

    Only United Airlines operates flights between New York and Cape Town.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from New York to Cape Town?

    Flying via Johannesburg OR Tambo (JNB) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 19h 34m, compared with 19h 36m via Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD) and 19h 57m via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL).

  • What is the time difference between New York and Cape Town?

    Cape Town is 7 hours ahead of New York (South Africa Time vs Eastern 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 New York to Cape Town flights?

    Among airlines operating New York to Cape Town flights:

    • United Airlines: offers extra legroom; 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 New York to Cape Town flights?

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

    • United Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Turkish Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • SWISS: 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.

  • Is Cape Town International Airport (CPT) wheelchair-accessible?

    Yes. Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is accessible for reduced mobility travelers. It provides wheelchair lifts, ramps, and adapted toilets. It also provides dedicated parking facilities for disabled travelers. If you need extra assistance, inform your airline before your flight.

  • Does CPT have a lounge?

    Yes. CPT offers lounges that you can pay at the door to access. They include two Bidvest Premier Lounge for domestic and international flights. Airline lounges at the airport include SAA Voyager Platinum Lounge and the Emirates Lounge for British Airways. They are both found on the Airside of the terminal.

  • Which facilities does CPT offer?

    CPT offers various facilities for travelers, including a post office, mobile phone rental, children’s play area, baby care facilities, fitness centers, and food and drinking concessions. It also provides an information desk, luggage storage facilities, ATMs, mobile charging outlets, cash machines, and currency exchange kiosks.

  • How do I get from CPT to the city center?

    CPT offers MyCiti Bus at the transportation plaza, accessible from the arrivals and departure halls. You can find it opposite the Central Terminal building. You can also opt for taxis with a taxi stand in the airport's Arrivals area.

Your guide to booking New York 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 Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $1,640, about $141 less than Sunday fares (8% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 19 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 21% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your New York to Cape Town trip for January. Fares historically average $1,477 round-trip in that month - typically $446 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • 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 $1,162 round-trip on this route - about $573 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
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has six terminals. Terminal 1 has 11 gates and is the oldest terminal in the airport. Terminal 2 is also known as Delta Terminal as it is a hub for Delta Airlines. Terminal 4 operates most international arrival flights, while Terminal 5 is mainly used by Jet Blue. Terminal 7 is used by British Airways, while Terminal 8 is the largest terminal with two concourses.
  • You can get transfers between JFK terminals via an AirTrain System, which operates at every terminal. It operates every 2 to 5min. La Guardia Airport (LGA) operates a courtesy shuttle bus between terminals A, B, C, and D every 10min at the parking lots and car rental points.
  • If you are traveling with a baby, JFK has baby care facilities. The nursing rooms are available at T1 near Gate 1 on the airside, T2 near Gate C70, and T4. T5 houses one near Gates 1, 12, and 27, while in T7, it is near Gate 10. At T8, there are nursing rooms near Gate 14, 42, and the hallway on the third floor. At Newark International Airport (EWR), you can find nursing pods at A1, A2, and A3 of Terminal A, Terminal B at B1 Gate B47, B2 after the TSA checkpoint on the left, and B3 after TSA before the bathrooms. There are also nursing pods at Terminal C on C1, C2, and C3.
  • If you need food or drinks, JFK offers some food concessions. Terminal 1 houses a Dunkin Donuts on the airside and Terminal 4 houses a McDonald's on the airside. LGA features food concessions and has over 20 restaurants and food courts in Level 4 of Terminal B.
  • JFK offers several money services facilities throughout the airport. Each terminal has ATMs on the land side and the air side. The airport also provides several foreign exchange services on the facility. EWR offers Travelex, VISA, AllPoint, FCU, and Simple ATMs. The airport also provides currency exchange services at Terminal C3 in the International Departures Area.

More options for your flight from New York to Cape Town

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