IAD - CPT

$731 Find Cheap Flights from Washington Dulles Airport to Cape Town - Compare and Save

1 adult
1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

Save 25% or more on flights. Compare deals from all over the web.

Never overpay with our price tracking tools.

Filter searches by price, airline and more to find your best flights.

Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$1,231
Typical prices: $1,378-$1,968
Ethiopian Air
Sat 3/10Sat 3/24
IAD - CPT • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$1,575
Typical prices: $1,490-$1,871
Austrian Airlines
Tue 1/16Fri 2/23
IAD - CPT • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 14h 25m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 74% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 11 weeks in advance save around 24% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 16% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $1,200 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 19h 08m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Start a new search
KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.
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

Wed, Mar 10 - Wed, Mar 24
Ethiopian Air Logo
10:00 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 - 9:00 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
25h 10m2 stops Addis Ababa Bole Rome Fiumicino
$1,231Ethiopian Air
Tue, Feb 2 - Wed, Feb 24
Ethiopian Air Logo
10:00 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
$1,231Ethiopian Air
Mon, Mar 1 - Tue, Mar 30
Turkish Airlines Logo
9:20 pm - 2:35 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
58h 15m2 stops Istanbul Johannesburg OR Tambo
Turkish Airlines Logo
1:15 am - 11:30 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
40h 15m1 stop Istanbul
$1,233Turkish Airlines
Thu, Feb 25 - Tue, Mar 30
Turkish Airlines Logo
1:30 pm - 2:35 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
42h 05m2 stops Istanbul Johannesburg OR Tambo
Turkish Airlines Logo
1:15 am - 7:50 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
24h 35m1 stop Istanbul
$1,233Turkish Airlines
Thu, Dec 31 - Tue, Jan 12
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:30 pm - 1:35 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
62h 05m3 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Livingstone
Multiple Airlines Logo
2:25 pm - 5:33 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
34h 08m3 stops Livingstone Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
$1,245Multiple Airlines
Thu, Dec 31 - Tue, Jan 12
Multiple Airlines Logo
4:30 pm - 1:35 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
62h 05m3 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Livingstone
Multiple Airlines Logo
7:20 am - 5:33 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
41h 13m2 stops Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
$1,245Multiple Airlines
Sat, Apr 10 - Sun, Apr 18
JetBlue Logo
9:00 pm - 10:15 amIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
31h 15m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
JetBlue Logo
1:15 pm - 3:40 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
32h 25m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
$1,465JetBlue
Mon, Mar 1 - Sat, Mar 13
Emirates Logo
10:35 am - 6:00 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
24h 25m1 stop Dubai Intl
Emirates Logo
1:40 pm - 8:15 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
25h 35m1 stop Dubai Intl
$1,472Emirates
Tue, Nov 24 - Mon, Nov 30
JetBlue Logo
8:05 pm - 10:30 amIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
31h 25m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
JetBlue Logo
12:35 pm - 3:55 pmCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
34h 20m1 stop Doha Hamad Intl
$1,501JetBlue
Wed, Mar 3 - Fri, Apr 2
Emirates Logo
10:35 am - 6:00 pmIAD  Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl-CPT Cape Town Intl
24h 25m1 stop Dubai Intl
Emirates Logo
8:00 pm - 8:40 amCPT  Cape Town Intl-IAD Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl
42h 40m1 stop Dubai Intl
$1,506Emirates
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 with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town typically range from $1,378 to $1,968. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $1,231, on Ethiopian Air.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport 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 Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town. It’s 11% cheaper than the average day, while Saturday is the most expensive, with prices 12% higher.

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

•February is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town at $1,348 round-trip.
•December ($2,010) and July ($1,830) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 49% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights 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 11 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 24% 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

August

Cheapest flight

$731
Beat the crowds with an average 45% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 62% increase in travelers.
One-way 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 answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • 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 6:45 pm and lands at 9:10 am
    • Latest: departs at 7:45 pm and lands at 10:10 am.

    The flight takes about 14h 25m.

  • 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 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 25m, 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 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 $1,378 to $1,968, with an average of $1,599 over the past 12 months. Anything below $1,378 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 17% above the $1,599 route average. Book 11 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • 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 $1,200 round-trip via Istanbul (IST), compared to $1,637 for nonstop.

  • How does on-time performance compare across airlines flying from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    United Airlines is the only airline operating Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town flights. 74% of its flights are on time.

  • 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.

  • 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 lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $854, which is 29% 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 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).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town?

    Evening flights have the fewest delays on this route.

  • 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, 26% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 2h 56m.

  • 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:

    • Doha Hamad Intl (DOH) - 35% of one-stop connections
    • Istanbul (IST) - 29% of one-stop connections
    • Dubai Intl (DXB) - 13% of one-stop connections
    • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) - 8% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 21% on flights from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport to Cape Town. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $1,436 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $1,801, a difference of $365.

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

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

  • 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 08m via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) and 21h 58m 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 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 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.

  • 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 always check the fare details before booking.

  • 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.

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 are flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Saturday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $1,436, about $365 less than Saturday fares (20% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 11 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 24% 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 February. Fares historically average $1,348 round-trip in that month - typically $662 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 $1,200 round-trip on this route - about $437 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