Cape Town airport is located 20 kilometers away from the centre of the city and the general ground transportation system is relatively different than most western cities. Private taxi companies along with regular minivan taxis offer rides for €20 to €30. A Cape Town airport taxi trip to the centre of the city lasts around 20 minutes and is highly dependent on traffic status. The alternative travel option is the MyCity bus network, which operates from 05:30 am to 21:30 pm. Fares are calculated per kilometer; similar to a taximeter, while the total bus journey to the downtown district takes 30 minutes on average.
Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Cape Town at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.- Nothing Found
Getting from Cape Town Airport to City Centre
Welcome PickupsFebruary 5, 2020
Comparison of the options
| OPTION | PRICE | DURATION | AVAILABILITY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups | €19 | 20min | 24/7 | Book |
| Book | ||||
| Taxi | €25 | 20min | 24/7 | |
| Bus | €13 | 30min | 05:30–21:30 | |
How to get from Cape Town airport to city centre by taxi
Most taxis in Cape Town are operated by private companies, though the infamous minibus taxi is a relatively popular choice as well. Private taxis offer services in a typical manner, charging fixed rates to the destination of your choice. On the other hand, most minibus taxis are not well regulated by the government and thus prices and charging system completely depends on the driver or owner. All in all, most taxi transfers to the centre of the city cost €20 to €30 depending on the company or owner.
Taxi fare from Cape Town airport to city centre
The most common taxi fare from Cape Town airport to the centre of the city is €20 to €30 regardless of the operator. Minibus taxis tend to charge less but are quite unreliable and inconvenient. On the other hand, private companies will normally charge more but offer door to door transfers for fixed prices.
Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM CPT TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE
€25
€25
20 min
FROM CPT TO CITY CENTRE
€25
€25
20 min
FROM CPT TO STELLENBOSCH
€40
€40
35 min
Cost
€25
Trip Duration
20 Min.
*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Taxis at the airport are available at all times.
Where do I get it from?
The taxi rank at Cape Town airport is located on the ground floor, right outside the arrivals terminal of the main building. Clear signs, indicate the rank location along the airport.
Convenience
The traditional minibus taxis are usually preferred by the locals due to the lower prices. However, lack of luggage space and price control make this option very risky for tourists. The most convenient and reliable taxi option for travelers is a private operator offering door to door service at fixed prices.
Editor’s Note
Minibus taxis do not offer door to door services, rather they operate similar to a bus network traveling only through popular destinations. Drivers will only stop upon request.
Useful Tips
How to get from Cape Town airport to city centre by bus
MyCity bus network is currently the only reliable mean of public transportation from Cape Town airport to city centre. The bus route operates from 05:30 am until 21:30 pm with departures every 20 minutes. Ticket cards can be purchased from the airport ticket kiosk and the total trip lasts around 30 minutes considering moderate traffic.
How much is the bus from Cape Town airport to city centre?
Unlike most public transportation systems, the bus network in Cape Town operates similar to a taxi system, where trips are charged based on distance. In other words, travelers must purchase a myconnect card and top it up with money. The fare from the airport to the centre of the city will cost around €6.50. Myconnect cards can be purchased at MyCiti airport station kiosk and at certain retail stores.
Cost
€6.50
Trip Duration
30 Min.
Waiting time for the MyCity bus is 20 minutes.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
The MyCity bus line is available from 05:30 am until 21:30 pm
Where do I get it from?
MyCiti bus station in Cape Town Airport is located on the ground floor in front of the main terminal. It is easily accessible from both arrivals and departures hall.
Convenience
The MyCity bus is a relatively more convenient choice of transportation compared to the minibus taxi system. Travelers get to have their own seats, as well as plenty of luggage space on the side compartments of the bus. However, the uncertainty of the exact cost between destinations can become irritating.
Editor’s Note
Make sure to purchase the R150 (€9.70) card from the airport station, since anything less might not be enough for the trip. However, the R100(€6.50) is usually adequate for the trip.
Useful Tips
Welcome Pickups transfer
Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line
If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Cape town. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.
Read morePrices
DAYTIME
€19NIGHTTIME
€19 Same price as a regular taxi from the line
PRICES FOR
Sedan Car
4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage
Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100
We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.
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20 minute gap between transfers
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Regular Car Sanitisation
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Contactless ride
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Sanitiser in every car
Frequently asked questions
How much is taxi from Cape Town airport to city?
Metered taxis are widely available at the airport, and a trip to the city centre will cost between R300 (€20) and R450 (€30).
How do I get from Cape Town airport to the city?
There are a number of ways to get to and from the airport. You can hire a car, a private taxi, a private shuttle or use the cheaper MyCity bus option.
How far is it from Cape Town airport to the city centre?
Cape Town International Airport is approximately 20km from Cape Town’s city centre. The total trip with a car usually takes around 20 minutes.
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