Cape Town Airport Transfers

There are several means of transportation from Cape Town International Airport, which will allow you to move quickly and safely to your destination in the center of the city of the same name. This way, you will 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 kilometers that separate the airport from the legislative capital of South Africa. You also have the option of using public transport, taking a cab or renting a car to travel on your own. Here are the main differences between each of these options.

The shared transfer from Cape Town International Airport to the city center 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 in a comfortable way paying a reasonable price.

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

This mode of shared transfer is characterized by offering some basic benefits such as the following:

• Guaranteed comfort: you will travel in a bus or minibus with air conditioning and padded seats, so you can rest during the route. In addition, you will 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 cab or Uber.

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

Without a doubt, this is a very convenient type of transfer, whether you are traveling 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 sunset cruise in Cape Town, among many other activities.

Details of interest

• Duration of the trip: the approximate time of the shared transfer from the airport to the center 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 center in a direct route, saving time and money.
• How to book this transfer: to book this service you will need to access the official website of the transfer company you have selected to register. You will have to provide some personal data and other information regarding the flight (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 will allow you to travel comfortably from the airport to the center of the legislative capital of South Africa, Cape Town. You will have an exclusive service, in which you will have a driver and a car reserved just for you.

At the arrival hall of the airport, the driver assigned for your transfer will be waiting for you; he will have a sign with your name on his hands. Once you comply with the luggage control protocol, you must 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 trip without worries. And you will not have the possible inconveniences that arise when sharing this transfer service with strangers. There will only be the driver, you and your travel companions, in case 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 scheduled 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.

Details of interest

• Travel time: 30 to 60 minutes is the average private transfer time from the airport to the center of Cape Town. However, this may vary depending on the season of the year, as there is more traffic at busy times.
• Price: the value of this type of transfers usually starts at about 27€ per person approximately.
• 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 center.
• How to book this transportation: the reservation of this transfer is done electronically. You will have to access the official website of the service provider and fill out 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 transfer and private transfer services stand out as two of the main modalities when traveling from the airport to the city center. These are a couple of reliable and safe transfers, which have certain differences between them, which you should know and verify before making a decision.

If you are adventurous and want to experience life in Cape Town like a local from the very first moment, then the public bus service is the best alternative for you. You will be able to get from the airport to the center of this port city in a different way. This may be the longest option of all, but it is definitely the cheapest and best of all, you will have fun.

To make use of this service you will not be in a hurry. Once you have your luggage with you and you have passed through customs control, you must go 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 color.

The bus you have to take is the My City, which is the only one in charge of the route from the airport to the center of Cape Town. It runs every 20 minutes from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm. To enjoy this service, at the airport ticket offices, you need to buy the Myconnect card and download their app.

The route of this transfer makes several stops on the way, being the Civic Centre stop , at the Hertzog Boulevard bus station, the one corresponding to the city center. You can get off and, from there, take a cab, city bus or walk to your hotel to start enjoying all that the Legislative Capital of South Africa has in store for you: 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 center of the Legislative Capital of South Africa can take 60 minutes or a little longer. This time is an average, as it may increase due to traffic conditions and stops.
• Price: The approximate fare for the public bus route from the airport to the city center is approximately €6.50 per person.
• Advantages of using this method: you will live a different adventure traveling like a local. In addition, you will save some money.
• How to book this transportation: this service does not require any reservation. You only need to buy the Myconnect rechargeable card at the airport, go to the public transportation center outside the air terminal and wait about 20 minutes until the route to the city center passes by. And, if you are traveling 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 mode of transfer from Cape Town International Airport to downtown is usually cab and Uber service. These are considered two of the fastest means of transportation of all. You will enjoy a direct route to your destination, without any waiting. You could only be delayed by traffic conditions.

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

• Touch Down yellow cabs, which are authorized by the airport itself. Availability is immediate from 5:00 am to 00:00 am.
• The Uber service, available 24 hours a day and that you can contact previously through the company's mobile app.

Both are very reliable options with which you will not lose a minute of time. It will be 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 cab or Uber takes about 30 minutes. However, traffic conditions are a constraint, so this time could be extended by several minutes.
• Price: cabs in Cape Town use a taximeter, so the price of the transfer could vary significantly depending on traffic conditions. In any case, the average price of the transfer from the airport to the city center is approximately 32€. Regarding the Uber service, it usually starts at about 25€, but you can check the Uber price calculator, to get an idea of the cost to pay.
• Advantages of using this method: you will not have to wait to board the cab or Uber service, being able to travel quickly and directly to your destination in the city center.
• How to book this transportation: it is not necessary to make a reservation for this service. You will only have to walk to the outskirts of the air terminal and immediately take one of the yellow cabs available. On the other hand, the transfer in Uber must be requested through the official app of the company. In 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 move around Cape Town at your own pace from the very first moment, then you should rent a car. You will have total freedom to move from the air terminal to the city center, being able to make as many stops as you wish along the way.

Once your plane arrives, you pick up your bags and go through customs, you will 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 a car rental. Some of them are Woodford Car Hire, Dollar Rent a Car, etc.

Likewise, you have the option to contact these companies beforehand and make an online reservation of the car. In this way, the process will be faster, because in the arrival hall of the airport a person will be waiting for you and will give you the car and its keys, so that you can start your adventure of 1 to 7 days in Cape Town or more. You can drive directly to your hotel or take the opportunity to start exploring. Maybe go to 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 could vary significantly if you make some stops.
• Price: the average cost of renting a car in Cape Town is about 30€ per day.
• Advantages of using this method: you can decide from the first moment your itinerary, i.e. go directly to the hotel or stop on the way to visit some attractions, eat or contemplate the view.
• How to book this transportation: you will have to connect via web to the rental company and check their car catalog. 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 the car directly at the offices outside the air terminal.
• Recommended if... you want to move around the city at your own pace from the very first moment.

Featured Airport Transfers from Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport