Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is located 20 kilometers from Cape Town, South Africa. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the city center by road, depending on traffic conditions.
Unfortunately, there are no public transport services at Cape Town Airport, leaving two modes of transport from Cape Town Airport to the city center: taxi or private transfer.
Your first option is an authorized Cape Town Airport taxi. These taxis are metered and available from right outside the airport. You can also take a minivan taxi, although we do not recommend this as they are generally considered unsafe.
Alternatively, the safest and most convenient option is to book a Cape Town Airport transfer in advance with a trusted company like Welcome Pickups. That way, you’ll secure a fixed fare with no hidden fees and feel at ease knowing you booked a reliable, top-rated service.
*The MyCiti Bus Line connecting Cape Town Airport to the city has been suspended until further notice due to a lack of use.
2 options to get from Cape Town Airport to the City
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €25 | 20min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| For the same price as a taxi, a private transfer is fully customizable and offers peace of mind, flexibility, and safety. | ||||||
Taxi | €25 | 20min | 05:00–00:00 | Convenience | Book | |
| Taxis aren't operational after midnight. Late night arrivals should pre-book a ride with a trusted company to ensure a safe and reliable service to your hotel. | ||||||
Most taxis in Cape Town are operated by private companies, although you should only ever use “Authorised Airport Taxis.” These taxis are metered and available almost 24/7 from the official airport taxi rank.
The trip in a taxi from Cape Town Airport to the city takes around 20 minutes in normal traffic.
*Shuttle vans or minivan taxis are another form of “taxi” service in South Africa. However, they have a bad reputation and aren’t very safe for tourists. With this in mind, we don’t recommend taking a shuttle from Cape Town Airport to the city center.
How much is a taxi from Cape Town Airport to the city?
Cape Town Airport taxis calculate their fare using a taximeter, based on the distance traveled. On average, from Cape Town Airport to the city, a taxi should cost between €20 (ZAR 416) and €30 (ZAR 625). However, tolls, traffic levels, and other factors may increase your final fare.
Where do I catch a taxi from?
The taxi rank at Cape Town Airport is located on the ground floor of the Central Terminal building, right outside Arrivals. Clear signs indicate the location of the rank.
You’ll also find transport kiosks and a domestic arrivals desk inside the arrivals area. You can ask for more information and request a taxi from either location.
Convenience
Official airport taxis are a convenient choice as they offer door-to-door transfers with added privacy. However, taxis don’t generally have the best reputation in terms of road safety. Plus, they’re known to overcharge customers.
On top of that, waiting times can be long during peak season as there aren’t many transport options available from the airport. This means the majority of travelers landing at CPT Airport will be queuing up for a taxi upon arrival.
A safer and more reliable way to travel from Cape Town Airport to the city center is to pre-arrange a Cape Town Airport transfer. Not only will you receive a fixed fare price, but you’ll be on arrival by a friendly, English-speaking driver.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreGetting from Cape Town Airport to the city center by private transfer is the best way to start your trip. When you choose a Cape Town Airport transfer, you’ll receive a fixed quote ahead of time, rather than relying on the uncertainty of a taximeter. This means you can book and pay for your transfer before even setting foot in the airport.
Private transfers, such as Welcome Pickups’ personalized services, are widely considered to be the safest and most convenient option when arriving in Cape Town. They offer plenty of perks to eliminate any stress and make your journey as seamless as possible:
By opting for a private transfer, you can organize everything in advance so that you don’t have to worry about a thing on the day. Plus, your trained driver will even give you a mini tour of the city as you make your way to your hotel and offer local recommendations, helping you make the most out of your stay.
How much is a private transfer from Cape Town Airport to the city?
From Cape Town Airport to the city, the cost of your private transfer will depend on which vehicle you select. A transfer in one of our modern sedans costs €25 (ZAR 520), whereas you’ll pay €35 (ZAR 729) for a minivan, and €65 (ZAR 1,354) for a minibus.
You can book your Cape Town Airport transfer through our website or app within minutes. Just enter your details, flight number, and the pickup time to secure a quote. The quote is fixed, includes all surcharges, and is not subject to change. So even if the journey takes twice as long due to traffic, you won’t pay anything extra.
Private transfers are available 24/7 from Cape Town Airport.
Where do I take my private transfer from?
Instead of landing and joining the taxi queue, a private transfer from Cape Town Airport to the city gets you a personalized meet and greet on arrival. Your local English-speaking driver will be waiting for you inside the Arrivals Hall, holding a sign with your name on it. That way, there’s no way you’ll miss them! Your driver will then help you with your luggage and lead you to your pre-selected vehicle.
Convenience
Whilst authorized Cape Town Airport taxis are a solid option, the fares are metered, and the service can be somewhat unreliable, particularly at night. Opting for an airport transfer in Cape Town is safer and offers more value for money than a local taxi. Plus, booking a private transfer in advance saves you time at the airport and ensures a speedy arrival.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 4 passengers
€19Starting from 4.8 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 7 passengers
€30Starting from 4.3 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 12 passengers
€40Starting from 3.3 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Cape Town Airport to the city?
Cape Town Airport taxi costs are calculated using a taximeter, which means your final fare depends on the distance traveled. When you hop in a taxi at Cape Town Airport to the city, the estimated price is around €20 (ZAR 416) and €30 (ZAR 625). Just keep in mind that fares vary between different taxi companies.
How to travel from Cape Town Airport to hotel?
Due to the Cape Town Airport Bus being suspended, there are now only two ways to get from Cape Town Airport to Cape Town: taxi or private transfer. Both are door-to-door and take around 20 minutes, although a private transfer guarantees you a fixed fare with no hidden fees.
How to get from Cape Town Airport to city safely?
The safest way to travel between Cape Town Airport and the city is with a pre-booked private transfer. Drivers are vetted, trained, and speak fluent English, plus all payments are taken in advance securely through the platform.
How far is it from Cape Town Airport to the city center?
The distance from Cape Town Airport to the city center is approximately 20 kilometers. The total trip in a car or taxi usually takes around 20 minutes.
Is there a bus from Cape Town Airport to the city?
The MyCiti bus from Cape Town Airport to the city center was indefinitely suspended in 2022 because not enough people were using the airport line. It may return at some point, but for now, there is no public transportation available from Cape Town Airport.
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