Cape Town Airport Transfers

There are several means of transport from Cape Town International Airport, which will allow you to move quickly and safely to your destination in the centre of the city of the same name, so you can enjoy the best things to do in Cape Town as soon as possible. This way, you will be able to enjoy the best things to do in Cape Town as soon as possible .

You can use a shared or private transfer service to travel the 20 kilometres that separate the airport from the legislative capital of South Africa. You also have the option of using public transport, taking a taxi or hiring a car and travelling on your own. Here are the main differences between each of these options.

The shared transfer from Cape Town International Airport to the city centre is an ideal option if you do not mind sharing the means of transport (minibus or bus) with strangers. You will be able to travel comfortably for a reasonable price.

When you get off the plane and after collecting your bags, you will walk to the arrival hall of the airport to connect with the driver assigned to your transfer. The driver will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will have to identify yourself and he/she will immediately accompany you to the respective bus.

This type of shared transfer is characterised by offering some basic benefits such as the following:

• Guaranteed comfort: you will travel in an air-conditioned bus or minibus with cushioned seats, so you will be able to rest during the route. You'll also have a power supply for your devices, Wi-Fi connection and a storage area for your luggage.

Reasonable cost: you will achieve significant savings of up to approximately 50% compared to public transport and at least 20% less than other services such as taxis or Uber.

• Availability at any time: the shared transfer is available 24 hours a day, and it is possible to coincide the pick-up with the arrival of your day or night flight.

This is certainly a very convenient type of transfer, whether you are travelling alone or in a group. You will have the opportunity to save both time and money, which you can use later to explore the city: join a tour with Cape Town Safaris, take a Cape Town sunset cruise, among many other activities.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: The approximate shared transfer time from the airport to the centre of Cape Town is about 30 to 80 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
• Price: the value of this shared transfer starts at approximately €43 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: You will travel from the airport to the city centre on a direct route, saving time and money.
• How to book this transport: to book this service you will need to access the official website of the transfer company you have selected to register. You will need to provide some personal and flight details (arrival time, flight number, etc). You will also have to pay at least 50% of the cost.
• Recommended if... you want to experience a comfortable and reasonably priced trip.

This private transfer option allows you to travel in comfort from the airport to the centre of South Africa's legislative capital, Cape Town. You will have an exclusive service, with a chauffeur and a car reserved just for you.

At the airport arrival lounge, the driver assigned to your transfer will be waiting for you, holding a sign with your name on it. Once you have completed the luggage control protocol, you will have to approach him and identify yourself so that he can verify your details and then accompany you to the car.

Once in the car, you can relax and enjoy the journey without any worries. You won't have the inconvenience of sharing this transfer service with strangers. There will only be the driver, you and your travel companions, if you have them.

You will travel from the airport to the door of your hotel or place of accommodation without stops, transfers or experiencing any interruption. This saves you considerable time, which you can use to enjoy the activities planned for your 1-3 day itinerary in Cape Town or longer. For example, a guided tour of Cape Town, flying over the city by helicopter, enjoying the local beaches, etc.

Interesting details

• Travel time: 30 to 60 minutes is the average private transfer time from the airport to the centre of Cape Town. However, this may vary depending on the time of year, as there is more traffic at busy times of the year.
• Price: The cost of this type of transfer usually starts at around €27 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: you will save time as you gain comfort, since you will have a driver and car for yourself, from the airport gate to the door of your destination in the city centre.
• How to book this transfer: this transfer is booked electronically. You will have to access the official website of the service provider and fill in a form in which you provide your name, email, ID card number, flight arrival time, among others. In addition, you must pay 50% of the cost of the transfer or pay in full.
• Recommended if... you wish to travel in comfort and exclusivity.

Let's compare shared transfer service vs. private transfer service

In Cape Town, shared and private transfer services stand out as two of the main ways to travel from the airport to the city centre. They are a reliable and safe pair of transfers, but there are some differences between them that you should be aware of and check before making your decision.

If you're adventurous and want to experience life in Cape Town like a local right from the start, then the public bus service is the best alternative for you. You can get from the airport to the centre of this port city in a different way. This may be the longest option of all, but it's definitely the cheapest and best of all, you'll have fun.

To make use of this service you won't have to rush. Once you have your luggage with you and have passed through customs, you should head to the outskirts of the airport. There, you will find a central public transport station , which you will quickly identify because the building is very large and red in colour.

The bus you need to take is the My City bus, which is the only bus that runs from the airport to the centre of Cape Town. It runs every 20 minutes from 5.30am to 9. 30pm. To take advantage of this service, at the airport ticket office, you need to buy a Myconnect card and download the Myconnect app.

The shuttle route makes several stops along the way, with the Civic Centre stop at the Hertzog Boulevard bus station being the one for the city centre. You can hop off and, from there, take a taxi, city bus or walk to your hotel to start enjoying all that the Legislative Capital of South Africa has to offer: tours on the Cape Town City Sightseeing bus, visits to the Two Oceans Aquarium, bike tours, and more.

Details of interest

• Travel Time: The public bus transfer from Cape Town International Airport to the centre of South Africa's Legislative Capital can take 60 minutes or slightly longer. This time is an average, as this may increase due to traffic conditions and stops.
• Price: The approximate fare for the public bus route from the airport to the city centre is approximately €6.50 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: You'll experience a different kind of adventure travelling like a local. Plus, you'll save some money.
• How to book this transport: This service does not require a reservation. Just buy a Myconnect rechargeable card at the airport, go to the public transport hub outside the air terminal and wait about 20 minutes for the route to the city centre. And, if you're travelling to Cape Town with children over the age of 4, they also require their own card.
• Recommended if... you have time in your itinerary, want to save money and have a fun adventure.

Another way to get from Cape Town International Airport to the city centre is by taxi and Uber. These are considered to be two of the fastest means of transport around. You will enjoy a direct route to your destination, without any waiting. Only traffic conditions can delay you.

As soon as you have your bags and pass through the customs checkpoint, you will need to head to the outskirts of the air terminal to connect with your chosen service:

• Touch Down yellow taxis, which are authorised by the airport itself. Availability is immediate from 5:00 to 00:00 hours.
• The Uber service, which is available 24 hours a day and which you can contact beforehand via the company's mobile app.

Both are very reliable options with which you won't waste a minute of your time. They are ideal if you need to get to your destination on time. For example, if you have booked an activity for your 1-5 day itinerary in Cape Town, such as a visit to the Zeitz Mocaa Museum, a boat tour to see marine animals from Cape Town, among others.

Details of interest

• Travel time: The transfer by taxi or Uber takes about 30 minutes. However, traffic conditions are a constraint, so it may take several minutes longer.
• Price: Taxis in Cape Town are metered, so the fare may vary significantly depending on traffic conditions. In any case, the average fare from the airport to the city centre is approximately €32. As for the Uber service, it usually starts at around €25, but you can consult the Uber price calculator to get an idea of the cost to be paid.
• Advantages of using this method: you won't have to wait to board the taxi or Uber service, and you can travel quickly and directly to your destination in the city centre.
• How to book this transport: There is no need to make a reservation for this service. Just walk to the outskirts of the air terminal and immediately catch one of the yellow taxis available. The Uber transfer, on the other hand, must be requested through the company's official app. This way, the driver will be waiting for you to take you immediately.
• Recommended if... you want to travel quickly and directly from door to door.

If you want to get around Cape Town at your own pace right from the start, then you'll need to hire a car. You'll be free to move from the air terminal to the city centre, making as many stops as you like along the way.

Once your plane arrives, you've collected your bags and cleared customs, you'll have to walk to the outskirts of the airport, specifically around the parking area, the central terminal building. There, you will find about 9 offices where you can immediately arrange car hire. Some of them are Woodford Car Hire, Dollar Rent a Car, etc.

You also have the option to contact these companies beforehand and make an online reservation of the car. This way, the process will be quicker, because at the arrival hall of the airport a person will be waiting for you and will give you the car and its keys, so you can start your 1 to 7 days adventure in Cape Town or more. You can drive straight to your hotel or take the opportunity to start exploring. Perhaps visit the Norval Foundation, the Groot Constantia Winery in Cape Town, the Castle of Good Hope, etc.

Details of interest

• Travel time: The transfer time by rental car from the airport to the city is approximately 30 minutes. However, this time may vary significantly if you make a few stops.
• Price: The average cost of renting a car in Cape Town is around €30 per day.
• Advantages of using this method: You can decide your itinerary from the start, i.e. go straight to your hotel or stop along the way to visit some attractions, have a meal or take in the view.
• How to book this transport: you will have to connect via web to the rental company and check their car catalogue. You will be able to select the one that best suits your needs and then you will have to fill in a form with your personal and flight information. But if you prefer, you can rent a car directly from the offices outside the air terminal.
• Recommended if... you want to get around the city at your own pace right from the start.

Featured Airport Transfers from Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport