IAD - CPT

$903 Find Cheap Flights from Washington Dulles Airport to Cape Town - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$1,012
Typical prices: $1,349-$1,941
Multiple Airlines
Sat 11/10Fri 11/16
IAD - CPT • 3 stops
Cheapest non-stop
$1,576
Typical prices: $1,444-$1,846
Egyptair, SWISS
Thu 1/25Fri 2/9
IAD - CPT • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 14h 31m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 73% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 20 weeks in advance save around 23% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 26% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $1,153 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 19h 08m (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 Dulles Intl to Cape Town (IAD-CPT)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Dulles Intl to Cape Town

Tue, Nov 10 - Mon, Nov 16
Multiple Airlines Logo
12:35 pm - 1:35 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
66h 00m3 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Victoria Falls
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:25 pm - 5:28 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
34h 03m3 stops Victoria Falls Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
$1,012Multiple Airlines
Tue, Nov 10 - Mon, Nov 16
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:20 pm - 1:35 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
60h 15m3 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Victoria Falls
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:25 pm - 5:28 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
34h 03m3 stops Victoria Falls Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
$1,013Multiple Airlines
Wed, Nov 11 - Wed, Nov 18
Turkish Airlines Logo
1:30 pm - 12:05 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
39h 35m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
5:15 pm - 7:25 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
33h 10m1 stop Istanbul
$1,172Turkish Airlines
Sat, Nov 7 - Thu, Nov 12
Turkish Airlines Logo
10:20 pm - 11:00 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
41h 40m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
5:15 pm - 11:45 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
25h 30m1 stop Istanbul
$1,185Turkish Airlines
Mon, Oct 26 - Mon, Nov 2
Ethiopian Air Logo
11:00 am - 2:10 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
21h 10m1 stop Addis Ababa Bole
Ethiopian Air Logo
1:50 pm - 8:00 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
25h 10m2 stops Addis Ababa Bole Rome Fiumicino
$1,228Ethiopian Air
Thu, Oct 1 - Sun, Oct 11
Ethiopian Air Logo
10:55 am - 2:10 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
21h 15m1 stop Addis Ababa Bole
Ethiopian Air Logo
1:50 pm - 8:55 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
25h 05m2 stops Addis Ababa Bole Rome Fiumicino
$1,228Ethiopian Air
Wed, Oct 14 - Thu, Oct 22
Emirates Logo
10:55 am - 6:05 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
25h 10m1 stop Dubai Intl
Emirates Logo
6:25 pm - 8:50 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
44h 25m1 stop Dubai Intl
$1,423Emirates
Tue, Nov 10 - Mon, Nov 16
Emirates Logo
10:30 am - 6:00 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
24h 30m1 stop Dubai Intl
Emirates Logo
1:40 pm - 8:10 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
25h 30m1 stop Dubai Intl
$1,423Emirates
Tue, Nov 10 - Mon, Nov 16
Qatar Airways Logo
8:05 pm - 5:20 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
38h 15m2 stops Doha Hamad Intl Johannesburg OR Tambo
Qatar Airways Logo
12:35 pm - 3:55 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
34h 20m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
$1,451Qatar Airways
Mon, Oct 5 - Mon, Oct 12
Qatar Airways Logo
9:00 pm - 10:15 amIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
31h 15m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
Qatar Airways Logo
1:15 pm - 3:40 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
32h 25m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
$1,472Qatar Airways
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town with more confidence.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town, it is 11% cheaper than the average day. Saturday is the most expensive day with flight prices 11% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

  • September is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town at $1,144 round-trip.
  • December ($1,982) and July ($1,830) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 73% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town the cheapest?

Flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town are cheapest 20 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 23% 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 Dulles Intl to Cape Town

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

Stefanie Waldek

Stefanie Waldek

Expert on IAD

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.

Key details for Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town flights

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$903
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 14% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 7% lower on average.
Flight from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town

When to book flights from Dulles Intl to Cape Town

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Dulles Intl 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 Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Which airline offers flights from Washington Dulles Airport to Cape Town with less carbon emissions?

    British Airways offers flights from Washington Dulles Airport to Cape Town and has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint. The airline is exploring and investing in sustainable aviation fuels that can significantly lower carbon emissions and has implemented energy-efficient operations to minimize emissions in both ground operations and flight operations.

  • How do I get from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to the city center?

    There are several shuttle services that operate from CPT to the city center. You can pre-book or find them located outside the airport arrivals hall. MyCiTi Bus Rapid Transit system also provides a direct and affordable connection to the city center. The service is reliable and operates on a scheduled timetable. In addition, metered taxis are available from the airport and will take you to the city center in about 20-30 minutes.

  • What travel class options are available for flights from Washington Dulles to Cape Town with Ethiopian Air?

    Ethiopian Airlines offers various travel classes on their flights from Washington Dulles Airport to Cape Town. Economy Class is the standard fare option with seats in the Economy cabin. Cloud Nine is the airline's Business Class and provides passengers with a premium experience with wider seats, more legroom, priority check-in, and access to Ethiopian Airlines lounges.

  • What services are available for passengers with reduced mobility on flights from Washington Dulles Airport to Cape Town with American Airlines?

    Passengers with reduced mobility on flights from Washington Dulles Airport to Cape Town with American Airlines can benefit from several services at both airports. At Washington Dulles Airport, passengers can request wheelchair assistance upon arrival and can request specific seating arrangements to accommodate their needs on board.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town flights?

    Among airlines operating Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport 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.

  • What airlines are available from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    Only United Airlines operates flights between Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport and Cape Town.

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    Flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town usually depart from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD) and arrive at Cape Town Intl (CPT).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport 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
    • SWISS: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class
    • Lufthansa: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

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

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town:

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

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    On this route, layover flights are cheaper than nonstop options on average. Layover fares average $1,153 round-trip via Istanbul (IST), compared to $1,589 for nonstop.

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport 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.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by United Airlines. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320-100/200 variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town pass through?

    One-stop flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town most commonly connect through:

    • Istanbul (IST) - 37% of one-stop connections
    • Doha Hamad Intl (DOH) - 30% of one-stop connections
    • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) - 10% of one-stop connections
    • Dubai Intl (DXB) - 9% of one-stop connections

    Istanbul (IST) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 20% on the Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $1,389 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $1,734, a difference of $345. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl 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 Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town route, 27% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2 hours 46 minutes.

  • What popular places can I visit in Cape Town?

    Some of the most popular sights in Cape Town are Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town International Convention Centre and Sea Point Pavilion. These are among the most viewed places in Cape Town on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town:

    • Earliest: departs at 6:25 pm and lands at 8:56 am
    • Latest: departs at 7:45 pm and lands at 10:16 am.

    The flight takes about 14h 31m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 18% above the route average of $1,551. Book 20 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    A nonstop flight from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town takes 14h 31m, covering 7,926 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl 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 are flight prices from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town looking right now?

    One-way fares from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town are currently in line with typical prices for this route. Average one-way fares are about $1,153.

  • How does United Airlines’s on-time performance compare to other airlines on Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town flights?

    United Airlines is the only airline operating Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town flights. 73% of its flights are on time.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    Evening flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    Flying via Newark (EWR) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 19h 08m, compared with 20h 04m via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) and 22h 22m via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS).

  • What is the time difference between Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport and Cape Town?

    Cape Town is 6 hours ahead of Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport (South Africa Time vs Eastern Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • 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 starting from around $3 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • Europcar
    • Sixt
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Hertz
    • Woodford

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town flight?

    Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town range from $1,349 to $1,941, with an average of $1,551 over the past 12 months. Anything below $1,349 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Wednesday departure instead of Saturday. On this route, Wednesday flights average $1,389 - about $345 less than Saturday (20% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 20 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 23% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town trip for September. Fares historically average $1,144 round-trip in that month - typically $838 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Istanbul Airport (IST) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest layover option averages $1,153 round-trip on this route - about $436 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
  • As Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is a base for South African Airways, British Airways, and FlySafair, passengers of these airlines can expect a variety of services and amenities at the airport. For example, passengers can benefit from priority baggage handling, faster immigration, and baggage delivery service.
  • Flights from Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) to Cape Town (CPT) usually have layovers in various cities. Some of the common layovers for this route include London (LHR), Amsterdam (AMS), Doha (DOH), Johannesburg (JNB), Munich (MUC), Frankfurt (FRA), New York (JFK), and Paris (CDG).
  • US citizens require a visa to enter South Africa, including for flights from Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) to Cape Town (CPT). The visa can be obtained by applying at the South African embassy or consulate in the United States or through an online application process. It is recommended to apply for the visa well in advance of the travel date to avoid any delays or complications.
  • Cape Town International Airport (CPT) serves various nearby cities in addition to Cape Town. These cities include Stellenbosch, Somerset West, Franschhoek, Paarl, Hermanus, Langebaan, Ceres, Tulbagh, Darling, Montagu, Worcester, Robertson, Swellendam, Gansbaai, and Clanwilliam.
  • Lufthansa offers a range of special meals for children on flights from Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) to Cape Town (CPT) such as infant meals, toddler meals, and children's meals. Bassinets are also available for infants and can be attached to the bulkhead seats in economy class.

Prefer to fly direct from Washington Dulles Airport to Cape Town?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl to Cape Town Intl

Monday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Thursday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Saturday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Cape Town Intl to Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl

Tuesday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Friday

United Airlines

United Airlines

Sunday

United Airlines

United Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Dulles Intl to Cape Town

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