Cape Town's Airports: How Many And Where?

Cape Town, South Africa, is served by Cape Town International Airport, which is located 20km from the city centre in the Matroosfontein district. It is the second-busiest airport in South Africa and the fourth-busiest in Africa. The airport has one central terminal building, which connects the north and south terminals for international and domestic arrivals and departures. Cape Town International Airport has won several awards, including second place in the Airports Council International Airport Service Quality Awards (ACI-ASQ Awards) for the Middle East and Africa in 2006, 2007, and 2013.

Cape Town International Airport

The airport was opened in 1954, replacing Cape Town's previous airport, Wingfield Aerodrome. It was originally named D. F. Malan Airport after the then South African Prime Minister. With the end of apartheid in the early 1990s, ownership of the airport was transferred to the newly formed Airports Company South Africa, and it was renamed the politically neutral Cape Town International Airport.

The airport has direct flights to South Africa's other two main urban areas, Johannesburg and Durban, as well as smaller centres within South Africa. Internationally, it offers direct flights to destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, South America, Australia, and the United States, although some US-bound flights require a stopover in Johannesburg or the Middle East.

Cape Town's previous airport

Cape Town International Airport (IATA: CPT, ICAO: FACT) is the primary airport serving the city of Cape Town. It is located approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the city centre and is the second-busiest airport in South Africa and fourth-busiest in Africa.

Cape Town International Airport was opened in 1954, replacing the city's previous airport, Wingfield Aerodrome. The previous airport was originally named Bellville Airport due to its proximity to the town of the same name. It served as a domestic airport before achieving international airport status when direct flights to Britain were introduced.

Wingfield Aerodrome, the previous airport, is no longer in operation, having been replaced by Cape Town International Airport, which offers modern facilities, high-tech processing, enhanced security, world-class duty-free shopping, and various dining options. The new airport has also undergone significant expansions and renovations to accommodate increasing air traffic and improve the overall experience for travellers.

Transport to and from the airport

Cape Town International Airport is located approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the city centre. There are several transport options for getting to and from the airport.

By Car

The airport is accessible from the N2 freeway, with Airport Approach Road providing a direct link from the N2 (at exit 16) to the airport. It can also be accessed from the R300 freeway via the M12, M10 and M22. The airport has ample parking available, including secure lock-up with CCTV monitoring and drop-off/pick-up parking.

By Public Transport

The MyCiti mass rapid transport bus system runs between the Civic Centre in the city on Hertzog Boulevard in central Cape Town and Cape Town International Airport. Services operate from 5:00 am until midnight, and the journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the airport or Cape Town civic station.

By Taxi

Metered taxis are available at the airport, and ridesharing services such as Uber and Bolt are also an option.

By Shuttle

Several private shuttle companies offer airport transfers, which can be booked in advance. These include Airport Shuttle, which operates 24/7 and offers pre-booked, private transfers.

Cape Town's busiest flight route

Cape Town International Airport (IATA: CPT, ICAO: FACT) is the primary airport serving Cape Town, South Africa. Located approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the city centre, it is the only airport in the Cape Town metropolitan area that offers scheduled passenger services. The airport has both domestic and international terminals, linked by a common central terminal.

The Cape Town to Johannesburg air route is one of the busiest in the world, rated as the ninth busiest in 2011 with an estimated 4.5 million passengers. The route is served by several airlines, including South African Airways, which offers flights to Johannesburg and onwards to São Paulo, Brazil.

Cape Town International Airport is a major gateway to South Africa and the African continent, with direct flights to several destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, South America, Australia, and the United States. The airport has seen significant growth and expansion over the years, including a major expansion in 2010 to accommodate the FIFA World Cup. The airport has also won several awards for its quality and service.

In addition to the Johannesburg route, Cape Town International Airport offers flights to other domestic destinations such as Durban, East London, and Port Elizabeth. Internationally, the airport has direct flights to popular destinations such as London, Dubai, Frankfurt, and Istanbul. With its extensive route network and increasing passenger numbers, Cape Town International Airport is a bustling hub for aviation in Southern Africa.

The airport's facilities

Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is the primary airport serving Cape Town, South Africa. It is located approximately 20 kilometres from the city centre and is accessible from the N2 freeway. The airport has domestic and international terminals, linked by a common central terminal, where all check-ins take place.

The airport features high-tech processing, security that exceeds international standards, and world-class duty-free shopping. There is a wide range of shops and services, including jewellery, clothing, African arts and crafts, health and beauty, and duty-free shopping. Services include banks, foreign exchange, a pharmacy, a post office, and a VAT refund point. There are also mobile phone kiosks, bookstores, clothing retailers, grocery stores, souvenir outlets, and duty-free shopping in international departures.

The airport has a split-level design, with departures located on the upper floors and arrivals on the lower floors. There are 10 air bridges, evenly split between domestic and international usage. The terminal contains an automated baggage handling system, capable of handling 30,000 bags per hour.

There are two hotels located within the airport precinct: Hotel Verde, a four-star hotel ranked as "Africa's greenest hotel", and Road Lodge, a budget hotel.

The airport provides approximately 1,424 parking spaces in the general parking area and 1,748 parking bays in the multi-storey car park located near the domestic terminal. A new car park opened in 2010, providing an additional 4,000 parking spaces near the international terminal.

Frequently asked questions