After landing at Cape Town International Airport, you will most likely want to go to Cape Town’s city centre or one of the surrounding suburbs to get to your hotel in Cape Town. Here are the different transport options to get from Cape Town International Airport to the city centre and various other popular suburbs.
According to the Skytrax World Airport Awards. Cape Town International Airport is the best airport in Africa and has the best airport staff in Africa.
If you prefer arranging transport before landing in Cape Town, consider these transfers and tours from Cape Town International Airport.
How far is Cape Town Airport from the city centre?
The distance from Cape Town airport to the city centre is about 20kms. When there is no traffic, it will take about 20 minutes per car.
The distances from Cape Town airport to some of the most popular suburbs are:
| Suburb | Distance from Cape Town International Airport to the suburb below | Duration of the trip by car |
| Seapoint | 24km | 30 minutes |
| V&A Waterfront | 23km | 25 minutes |
| Camps Bay | 26km | 35 minutes |
Option 1: Using Uber, Bolt or Didi to get from Cape Town Airport to the city centre
One of the easiest and most convenient ways to get from the Cape Town airport to the city centre or any other suburb is using either Uber, Bolt or Didi. After hailing your car, head to Parkade 2 in Cape Town’s airport, where there is a dedicated e-hailing pick-up area.
The time of day and traffic may affect the costs, but the average costs to get from the Cape Town airport to Cape Town’s city centre are:
| Service Provider | ZAR Cost (R) | USD Cost ($) |
| Uber X | R180 – R260 | $11.80 – $17 |
| Bolt Comfort | R147 – R229 | $9.60 – $15 |
| Didi Express | R152 | $10 |
The time of day and traffic may affect the costs, but the average costs to get from the Cape Town airport to popular suburbs in Cape Town are:
| Route | Service Provider | ZAR Cost (R) | USD Cost ($) |
| Cape Town Airport to Seapoint | Uber X | R180 – R260 | $11.80 – $17 |
| Cape Town Airport to Seapoint | Bolt Comfort | R194 – R309 | $12.60 – $20.21 |
| Cape Town Airport to Seapoint | Didi Express | R199 | $13 |
| Cape Town Airport to the V&A Waterfront | Uber X | R180 – R260 | $11.80 – $17 |
| Cape Town Airport to the V&A Waterfront | Bolt Comfort | R178 – R282 | $11.65 – $18.45 |
| Cape Town Airport to the V&A Waterfront | Didi Express | R183 | $12 |
| Cape Town Airport to the Camps Bay | Uber | R260 – R300 | $17 – $20 |
| Cape Town Airport to the Camps Bay | Bolt Comfort | R208 – 329 | $1.60 – $21.55 |
| Cape Town Airport to the Camps Bay | Didi Express | R212 | $13.86 |
Option 2: Using a taxi service
There is currently only one officially authorised taxi service provider: Touch-Down Taxis. To arrange a taxi in advance, call them on +27 83 652 0786 or +27 82 569 7555.
Option 3: Bus from Cape Town airport to the city centre
The Cape Town International Airport bus is the cheapest transport option to the city centre. This means taking Cape Town’s MyCiti Bus service, which also offers public transport in Cape Town.
You can buy a MyCity travel card from the kiosk outside the airport. Buying a card costs R35, and you can add funds during your stay. We bought a 7-day pass, which provides unlimited bus travel for 7 days for R230 ($15). The journey takes about 25 minutes, and you are dropped off at the Cape Town Civic Centre, from where you can easily take busses to other parts of Cape Town or even get an Uber, Bold or Didi driver to drive you to your hotel.
If you decide to use the MyCiti bus service, definitely down the mobile app for routes, timetables and tracking your bus!
Option 4: Arrange private airport transfers
You can also arrange a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. The fares range from $9 – $15 per person, but also depends on the type of vehicle you prefer. The best companies to use are the following:
| Service provider | Website | Phone number | Operating Hours |
| Citi Hopper | www.mycitihopper.co.za | +27 21 936 3460 +27 82 773 7678 | 7:00 – midnight weekdays |
| Centurion Tours | www.centuriontours.co.za | +27 21 936 3461, +27 (0)82 773 7678, or info@centuriontours.co.za | 6:00 – midnight weekdays |
Also, consider aggregation sites like Viator and Get Your Guide, to arrange a private airport transfer. These sites offer a large variety of airport transfers to choose from.
Option 5: Hire a rental car
A popular transport option from Cape Town International Airport is hiring a rental car. A car gives you incredible flexibility in sightseeing and day trips around Cape Town.
For the best rental options, we use RentalCars! Rates for Cape Town start at R600 ($40) per day but depends on the time of the year and the type of car you want.
Option 6: Arrange a hotel transfer
Another easy option for getting from the Cape Town International Airport to your hotel is to choose a hotel that offers airport transfers.
Frequently asked questions about getting from Cape Town International Airport to the city centre
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the Cape Town airport transport options:
Which is cheaper Uber or the airport shuttle?
It depends. If you are 1-3 people, Uber will be cheaper than a private transfer or the bus from the airport to the city centre. Just bear in mind with the MyCity Bus, you may buy a pass giving you unlimited bus rides for a week, making it the cheapest transport option for getting from the airport to the city and exploring the rest of Cape Town. The MyCiti busses do not go to places such as Simon’s Town, Stony Point or Cape Point; you will need a rental car or tour for that area.
Is Uber expensive?
If you’re wondering if Uber is expensive in Cape Town, it is not. Waiting times may vary, especially during peak seasons. It remains a cost-effective and safe way to get around the city.
