Cape Town Airport taxi service
Taxi essentials
- -City center price: Around €24 (ZAR 450) for a metered taxi, although traffic and the taxi company can affect the final price.
- -Trip time: Usually 25 minutes to central Cape Town when traffic is light.
- -Where to get a taxi: Arrange your ride at one of the transport kiosks or the domestic arrivals desk in the central terminal building. The taxi rank is outside the main arrivals exit on the ground floor.
- -Late-night arrivals: Taxis are available at the rank 24 hours a day, but the official walk-up desk runs from 05:00 to midnight. If you land after midnight, booking ahead is the safer option.
- -Pre-booking: You can book and pay for your Welcome Pickups transfer online before you travel, with the fare fixed in advance.
A Cape Town Airport taxi to the city center usually takes around 25 minutes, and a metered ride costs about €24 (ZAR 450). To get an authorized taxi, head to one of the transport kiosks or the domestic arrivals desk in the central terminal building. Or, if you pre-book with Welcome Pickups, you’ll know the fare and pay in advance.
Use authorized airport taxis when you arrive at Cape Town Airport. You can arrange one at the official transport kiosks or the domestic arrivals desk, and if someone comes up to you inside or around the terminal offering a ride, it’s better to head to the desk instead.
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HOW MUCH DOES A TAXI COST FROM CAPE TOWN AIRPORT IN 2026?
| Taxi prices | Day time (05:00 - 24:00) | Night time (00:00 - 05:00) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER | (ZAR 450) 24 € | (ZAR 450) 24 € | 20 MIN |
| CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO V&A WATERFRONT | (ZAR 450) 24 € | (ZAR 450) 24 € | 25 MIN |
| CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAMPS BAY | (ZAR 450) 24 € | (ZAR 450) 24 € | 30 MIN |
| CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO STELLENBOSCH | (ZAR 550) 29 € | (ZAR 550) 29 € | 55 MIN |
| CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO HOUT BAY | (ZAR 350) 19 € | (ZAR 350) 19 € | 18 MIN |
| CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KOMMETJIE | (ZAR 750) 40 € | (ZAR 750) 40 € | 55 MIN |
| CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO SIMON'S TOWN | (ZAR 750) 40 € | (ZAR 750) 40 € | 55 MIN |
| CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO HERMANUS | (ZAR 1,600) 86 € | (ZAR 1,600) 86 € | 1 H 50 MIN |
| CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO FRANSCHHOEK | (ZAR 1,300) 70 € | (ZAR 1,300) 70 € | 1 H 20 MIN |
What does a Cape Town Airport taxi cost?
Authorized taxis don’t typically charge fixed fares. Cape Town Airport taxi costs are calculated using a taximeter, so the price depends on how far you’re going and how long the trip takes. Local metered taxis usually start with a base fare of €1.30 (ZAR 25), then charge about €0.95 (ZAR 18) per kilometer.
A taxi from Cape Town Airport to central Cape Town costs around €24 (ZAR 450). But if traffic is heavy, especially on the N2 or closer to the city center, you may end up paying a little more.
For Welcome Pickups, your fare covers the transfer, tolls, taxes, airport fees, and the luggage allowance for your chosen vehicle. You pay online before you travel, and once you’ve booked, traffic won’t push the price up.
- Sedan: City center from €25 (ZAR 467), up to 4 passengers
- Minivan: City center from €35 (ZAR 654), up to 7 passengers
- Minibus: City center from €65 (ZAR 1,215), up to 12 passengers
And if you’re heading beyond the city center, Welcome’s sedan fares start from €29 (ZAR 542) to Camps Bay, €47 (ZAR 878) to Stellenbosch, and €89 (ZAR 1,663) to Hermanus.
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Where do you get a taxi at Cape Town Airport?
You can arrange an authorized Cape Town Airport taxi at the transport kiosks or the domestic arrivals desk in the central terminal building. Once you’ve picked up your bags, head to one of the official transport desks, tell the staff where you’re going, and ask for an authorized taxi. Check the fare or meter rate and how you can pay; then staff will show you where to meet your driver.
The official airport taxi rank is on the ground floor, directly outside the main arrivals exit of the central terminal building. Once you come through the glass doors from the arrivals hall, you’ll see the taxis lined up along the curb.
There isn’t one standard color or roof sign for taxis at Cape Town Airport, so look for clear company branding on the car and check the driver’s ID. Official airport drivers should also carry an airport permit, and you can ask to see it before you get in.
A few things to know:
- -Use the official airport desk. ACSA has warned about unauthorized drivers approaching passengers inside the terminal, so stick to the official taxi service rather than taking a ride from someone who comes up to you.
- -Book ahead if your flight lands after midnight. ACSA lists the walk-up taxi service as running from 05:00 to midnight, so arranging your ride in advance is the safer option for very late arrivals.
- -Leave a bit of room for your luggage. A metered airport taxi in Cape Town can take up to four people, but if everyone has a large suitcase, three passengers will usually fit more comfortably. If there are four of you with many bags, ask for a bigger car.
How does a pre-booked Cape Town Airport transfer work?
When you book your Cape Town Airport transfer with Welcome Pickups, you’ll see the fixed price before you confirm. Choose your vehicle, add any extras you need, and pay online before you travel.
Your booking includes:
- -A fixed price with no hidden fees
- -No meter or surge pricing
- -Flight tracking
- -60 minutes waiting time
- -Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead
- -Professional, vetted driver
- -Local tips and recommendations
And once you land:
- 1. You’ll already have your driver’s name, photo, contact details, and vehicle information.
- 2. Your driver checks your flight and adjusts the pickup time if needed.
- 3. Once you’ve collected your bags, follow the meeting instructions in your booking.
- 4. Your driver waits for you at the agreed meeting point.
- 5. They’ll help with your luggage and take you to the car.
Can I take a Cape Town Airport transfer beyond the city?
Yes, you can book a Welcome Pickups transfer from Cape Town Airport to popular spots across the Cape Peninsula and Western Cape, including Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Hermanus, Camps Bay, and Simon’s Town.
- -Cape Town city center: The drive usually takes around 25 minutes when traffic is light. It’s the best base if you want to be close to the CBD, Long Street, Company’s Garden, and plenty of restaurants, bars, and museums.
- -V&A Waterfront: Around 22 km away and usually 25 minutes by car. This is one of Cape Town’s busiest visitor areas, with hotels, shops, restaurants, and the harbor all within easy walking distance once you arrive.
- -Stellenbosch: 54 km from the airport, with the drive usually taking 55 minutes when traffic is light. It’s one of the main towns in the Cape Winelands and a popular base for visiting nearby wine estates.
- -Franschhoek: 88 km away, so you’re looking at around 1 hour 20 minutes on the road. It’s farther into the Winelands than Stellenbosch and is especially popular for vineyard stays and the wine tram.
- -Hermanus: 128 km from the airport, with a drive time of about 1 hour 50 minutes. It’s a good option if you’re heading straight to the coast, especially during whale-watching season.
- -Camps Bay: 25 km from Cape Town Airport and usually 30 minutes away. It’s located on the Atlantic Seaboard, just outside central Cape Town, and traffic can get heavier later in the day.
- -Simon’s Town: 40 km from the airport, and the drive usually takes 55 minutes. And if you’re staying near Boulders Beach or elsewhere along the False Bay coast, it makes sense to head straight there from the airport.
Useful tips for getting a taxi from Cape Town Airport
- Stick to the official airport taxi desk. ACSA warns about unauthorized drivers approaching travelers inside the terminal, so if someone comes up offering you a ride, ignore them and head to the desk instead.
- Watch out for fake “night rates.” Cape Town Airport taxis typically don’t have a standard night surcharge, so be wary if a driver suddenly adds a huge extra fee or claims there’s a special “night tariff” just because you’re traveling late.
- Check how you can pay before you leave. Not every metered taxi takes cards, so ask at the desk first. It’s also worth keeping some South African rand with you as a backup.
- Stick to the main route into Cape Town. The N2 is the usual road from the airport, and Cape Town Tourism advises travelers to avoid detours onto some nearby roads and off-ramps. Keep an eye on the route on your phone if you want to follow along.
- You can’t catch a public commuter minibus taxi directly from Cape Town Airport. If you want to use one later, you’ll need to travel away from the airport first and connect with a minibus route elsewhere in the city.