WAS - CPT

$720 Find Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$1,012
Typical prices: $1,349-$1,935
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
3 days a week
You can fly direct with United Airlines. Average duration is 14h 31m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
DCA - CPT
Cheapest • 3% average savings
IAD - CPT
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
United Airlines
Most punctual • 73% on-time
Evening
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
20 weeks
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
September
Cheapest • 26% price drop
November
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Istanbul (IST)
Cheapest • Avg $1,153 (round-trip)
Newark (EWR)
Shortest trip • 18h 47m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Cape Town!
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Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town (WAS-CPT)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Washington, D.C. 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. 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. to Cape Town with more confidence.

What is the cheapest Washington, D.C. to Cape Town flight route?

There's little price difference between Washington, D.C. to Cape Town routes. They average around $1,503 round-trip, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

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

Wednesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town, it is 7% cheaper than the average day. Saturday is the most expensive day with flight prices 10% 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. to Cape Town?

  • September is the cheapest month to fly from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town at $1,144 round-trip.
  • July ($1,849) and December ($1,841) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 61% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

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

Flights from Washington, D.C. 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.

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Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Washington, D.C. 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.

Read more
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.

Read more

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

Low season

February

Cheapest flight

$720
Best time to beat the crowds with an average 13% drop in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 5% lower on average.
Flight from Baltimore to Cape Town

When to book flights from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town

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

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

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

    Among airlines operating Washington, D.C. 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. to Cape Town?

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

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

    Flights from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town may depart from several airports in Washington, D.C. area, including Washington, D.C. Reagan-National (DCA) and Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD). Flights usually arrive at Cape Town Intl (CPT).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Washington, D.C. 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. to Cape Town?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from Washington, D.C. 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. 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. 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 airports do connecting flights from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town pass through?

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

    • Istanbul (IST) - 33% of one-stop connections
    • Doha Hamad Intl (DOH) - 27% of one-stop connections
    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 11% of one-stop connections
    • Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) - 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. to Cape Town?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 17% on the Washington, D.C. to Cape Town route. Wednesday is the cheapest departure day at $1,436 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $1,712, a difference of $276. 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. 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. 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. to Cape Town?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Washington, D.C. 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. to Cape Town flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 19% above the route average of $1,544. Book 20 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

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

    A nonstop flight from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town takes 14h 31m, covering 7,904 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Washington, D.C. 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. to Cape Town looking right now?

    One-way fares from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $1,041, which is 13% below the typical average for this route.

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

    United Airlines is the only airline operating Washington, D.C. 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. 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. to Cape Town?

    Flying via Newark (EWR) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 18h 47m, compared with 20h 13m via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) and 22h 22m via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS).

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

    Cape Town is 6 hours ahead of Washington, D.C. (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. to Cape Town flight?

    Round-trip flights from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town range from $1,349 to $1,935, with an average of $1,544 over the past 12 months. Anything below $1,349 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking Washington, D.C. 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 $1,436 - about $276 less than Saturday (16% 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. to Cape Town trip for September. Fares historically average $1,144 round-trip in that month - typically $705 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 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

Prefer to fly direct from Washington, D.C. to Cape Town?

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

Direct departures

Washington, D.C. 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.

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 Washington, D.C. to Cape Town

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

Car rentals in Cape Town
Hotels in Cape Town
Vacations in Cape Town