By air, by car, by bus or by one of the great rail journeys on earth. Here's the honest breakdown on all four.
Cape Town International is a well-run, modern airport 20km from the city centre. Arrivals, customs and baggage tend to move quickly by African standards. The airport is functional rather than glamorous — use the time you save to get to your hotel faster.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly direct from London Heathrow in around 11 hours — no Johannesburg stop. KLM serves Cape Town via Amsterdam (connecting in around 13–14 hours total). Emirates and Qatar route through their hubs. South African Airways and FlySafair offer reliable domestic connections from Johannesburg and Durban.
| Route | Airlines | Approx. Flight Time | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| London → CPT | British Airways, Virgin Atlantic | 11 hrs | Direct |
| Amsterdam → CPT | KLM | 11 hrs | Direct (seasonal) |
| Dubai → CPT | Emirates | 9 hrs | Direct |
| Doha → CPT | Qatar Airways | 9 hrs | Direct |
| Johannesburg → CPT | FlySafair, Airlink, SAA, Lift | 2 hrs | Domestic (hourly) |
| Durban → CPT | FlySafair, Airlink | 2 hrs | Domestic |
Uber is the easiest option — pick up from the designated Uber rank at the domestic or international terminal. The ride to Sea Point or the City Bowl takes 25–40 minutes and costs R250–R400 depending on traffic. Do not use unmarked taxis from the terminal.
The MyCiTi airport bus runs to the city centre (Civic Centre station) for R75–R100 and takes 35–50 minutes. Requires a MyCiTi myconnect card — available at the airport. Good budget option if you're not in a hurry.
All major rental companies have desks at the airport. Avis, Hertz, Budget and First Car Rental are well-represented. A small manual car runs R600–R900/day in shoulder season. A rental car genuinely transforms your Cape Town trip — the Peninsula and Winelands need wheels.
Flying direct from London or Dubai is the only way to go. Skip the Johannesburg connection unless you're already in Jo'burg — the extra hours aren't worth it when there are direct flights. Book 6–12 weeks ahead for best prices; December–January fares can double.
The N1 from Johannesburg to Cape Town is one of South Africa's great road trips — a straight, well-maintained highway through the semi-arid Karoo, a vast flat interior that makes you feel small in the best way. The landscape changes dramatically as you cross into the Western Cape: scrubland gives way to mountains, and suddenly the air feels different.
Do it over two days. Matjiesfontein (650km from Jo'burg) is a perfectly preserved Victorian railway town and an excellent overnight stop. Beaufort West is the alternative. Arrive in Cape Town on day two via the Huguenot Tunnel or the Du Toitskloof Pass — the latter is slower but extraordinary.
If you have 2–3 days and you love driving, do it. The Karoo at sunrise is one of those African experiences that doesn't photograph well but stays with you. If you're time-limited or coming from outside South Africa, fly — the drive doesn't make sense as a day run.
Intercape is the dominant long-distance coach operator in South Africa — large, comfortable coaches with reclining seats, onboard toilets and reasonable reliability. The Cape Town–Johannesburg overnight service departs in the late afternoon and arrives the following morning. The fare is a fraction of a domestic flight.
Intercape also runs from Port Elizabeth (8 hrs) and Durban (24 hrs). For budget travellers on an extended Southern Africa trip, the bus is a solid option. The Cape Town terminal is in the CBD near the train station — take an Uber from there to your accommodation.
Best for budget travellers who don't mind 18+ hours on a coach and have time on their side. Overnight saves you a night's accommodation cost. If your time in SA is limited, a R600–R900 FlySafair flight from Jo'burg (book early) is hard to argue against.
The Blue Train is one of the world's great rail journeys — two nights of luxury between Pretoria and Cape Town, with five-star dining, private suites and a viewing lounge watching the Karoo roll past at dusk. It is not a transport solution. It is an event. The price reflects this.
The Shosholoza Meyl is the budget passenger rail service operated by Transnet. The Cape Town to Johannesburg route takes approximately 27 hours, runs twice a week and costs around R400 in a shared sleeping compartment. The train is slow, the facilities are basic and the journey is memorable in ways that are hard to predict. Experienced independent travellers only.
The Blue Train is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those who can absorb the cost — treat it as a destination rather than a transfer. The Shosholoza Meyl is for travellers who prioritise story over comfort and have time to spare. Most visitors fly or drive.