Cape Town flights and travel guide

Cape Town may the oldest city in South Africa, but its beauty reigns on. Travelers book flights to Cape Town for a trendy South African experience and wind up captivated by the majestic landscape of beaches, mountains and miles of coastline. Cape Town is famed as one of the best destinations in South Africa. 

There’s as much culture in Cape Town as there is throughout South Africa, but unlike the rest of the country, this city is laid-back and relaxed. Many Cape Town flights are filled with travelers heading to one of the city’s charming vineyards. Award-winning wine and South African architecture grace the vineyards, making them a must-see tourist spot for anyone aboard flights to Cape Town. After a relaxing day at the vineyards, a drive into Cape Town’s bustling city provides tourists with a glimpse of South African nightlife at its best. The city center features retail stores, vendors and street markets selling everything from African souvenirs to clothes and accessories. Or, find cheap flights to Cape Town and spend your days lazy on the beach. 

Keep your trip to Cape Town flexible. Regardless of what you choose to see and do, you’ll likely board your Cape Town flight wishing for more time to explore this South African city. 

Book a flight to Cape Town, and return with a new sense of wonder.

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Cape Town climate

Sandwiched between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, Cape Town catches sea breezes from both sides making flights to Cape Town ideal for those looking to vacation in a moderate climate. Its peninsular location leaves it experiencing mild-mannered winters and comfortable summers with temperatures spiking no higher than 80 degrees F.

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Best Time to Fly to Cape Town

Whether you're hiking to the top of Table Mountain or heading downtown for a Ladysmith Black Mambazo show, there's no wrong time to book your flight to Cape Town.

Peak Season: 

Flights to Cape Town are packed between the months of November and February, when it's summer in South Africa and tourists are flocking to the tip of the continent to enjoy the hottest spots in the sun-soaked Southern Hemisphere. 

Off-Peak Season: 

The best time to grab a cheap flight to Cape Town is during the transitional seasons of autumn and spring.  Because of the mild variation in seasons, Cape Town in the fall or spring experiences balmy weather and wind-free days. Several concerts and festivals are scheduled to draw visitors to Cape Town throughout the year.

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Getting around Cape Town

The best way to get downtown after your Cape Town flight is by hopping aboard a taxi or bus at the airport. In the city’s center, the cheapest option to get around is Cape Town’s public bus system. Save some money by buying your tickets ahead of time and in bulk – books of 10 tickets are sold. But be careful if you’re on a tight schedule. Posted drop-off and pick-up times are just estimates, and you don’t want to get stranded. If you’d rather take a taxi, you’ll be spending more money, but saving time. If you feel like doing the research, the tourism center offers shuttle buses to popular tourist attractions like the Table Mountain Cableway.

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Cape Town Travel Information

• Visitors hailing from every corner of the globe are booking cheap flights to Cape Town to visit Table Mountain, one of South Africa's most majestic attractions. Hiking enthusiasts of all expertise levels can enjoy a lengthy climb up the slopes, though the weather at Table Mountain has been known to be somewhat mercurial and challenging to those seeking breathtaking views at the top.
• Greenmarket Square is a favorite locale for people watching and shopping in Cape Town. Once the site of slave markets, Greenmarket Square is now home to the best flea markets in the city. Shopaholics - be ready to splurge! Fabrics, jewelry and other handmade wares are available in the marketplace. Several quaint cafes have sprung up around the square, so if your wallet is weary have a seat and watch the flurry of flea market activity for an afternoon.
• Looking for a place that will wow the kids? Head straight to the South African Museum and Planetarium. The museum hosts numerous exhibits showcasing tribal art, including a rock art display on extricated cave walls. The planetarium next door to the museum has a full schedule of shows offering incredible insight into the southern constellations of the South African skies.
• If a spot of fresh air sounds tempting, head for the sea after your Cape Town flight and get out of the city for a thought-provoking day trip. Robben Island, just 7 miles from Cape Town and smack in the middle of Table Bay, is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices South African freedom fighters made to end Apartheid. The island served as a prison for everyone from political prisoners to lepers, the most famous of the incarcerated being Nelson Mandela. Tours of the island are conducted by former prisoners, and the museum at Robben Island pays tribute to the will power of those who endured for liberation.

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Cape Town airports

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