Travelling from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to London: what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from Cape Town International Airport to London and you'll be in the air for an average of 11 hours 40 minutes.
Cape Town International Airport is located in Cape Town. Following the UTC+0 timezone, London is two hours behind Cape Town.
With 15 flights a week between the two airports, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most popular route. Virgin Atlantic operates the earliest flight at 09:55. If you prefer to make the most of your day before taking off, the last flight from CPT to LHR is with British Airways at 22:00.
For a stress-free journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to board your CPT to London flight.
During popular months like January, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
You can book a direct Cape Town International Airport to London ticket. Start your trip at CPT and land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
You'll have your pick of airlines that offer direct flights from Cape Town International Airport to London. Reserve your trip with one of these:
We make it a breeze to book plane tickets from CPT to London with a stopover. To see all your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of the city of your choice. Major stopovers include:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
CPT is around 18 kilometres from central Cape Town. If you're driving, catching a taxi or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 25 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 35 minutes.
Searching for a hotel close to CPT? If you've booked an early flight from Cape Town International Airport to London, these accommodation options put the terminal practically at your doorstep:
Cape Town International Airport maintains a strong on-time performance, so you're unlikely to face delays. Departures from CPT arrive at their destination as scheduled 81% of the time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to London
173 € is currently the lowest price for a one-way Cape Town International Airport to London flight. Return plane tickets start at 520 €. These fares may change based on demand.
To pick up cheap flights from CPT to London, reserve your trip eight months before your departure date.
Plan your trip for January. That's the best month for scoring an epic deal on Cape Town International Airport to London tickets. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the lowest price across each month.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you when there's an extra saving on cheap flights from CPT to London.
Find a cheap flight from Cape Town International Airport to London with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London takes around 45 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 24 kilometres away.
It takes around 25 minutes if you're using public transport.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Cape Town International Airport to London. Reserve one of these accommodation options near LHR instead:
For the best deal, book your vehicle from London Heathrow Airport about one week ahead of your flight from CPT to London.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is about 48 kilometres from the centre of London. Once you've hopped off your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London, it'll take you around 1 hour 5 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
You can expect the trip to take roughly 1 hour 20 minutes on public transport.
Following your CPT to London flight, kick back at a hotel near LGW. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from LGW three weeks in advance often means more savings and a bigger choice of vehicles.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
Step off your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London and go straight to your hotel or start exploring right away. The centre of London is around 56 kilometres from London Stansted Airport (STN) and usually takes 1 hour 5 minutes to drive there.
The journey will take around 45 minutes by public transport.
Find a hotel close to STN and get from baggage claim to your bed in a snap. Whether you're coming in on a late CPT to London flight or just want to simplify your travel plans, these stays are all about convenience:
If you're looking for a specific kind of vehicle, book your ride from STN about four weeks before your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London. This gives you a better chance of getting the car you prefer, as well as a better deal.
Best time to go to London
July is the busiest month for flights from Cape Town International Airport to London. To escape the crowds, visit London in January.
The warmest month in London is July, with temperatures ranging between 11ºC (52ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Lock in your Cape Town International Airport to London plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from CPT to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF).
More about London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in London right here. Check out these hotels once you've booked your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. Westminster Abbey, The British Museum and Big Ben are popular attractions which should be on any good London itinerary.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
London will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of the United Kingdom just waiting to be explored. Around 257 kilometres northwest of London, a visit to Manchester will keep your itinerary packed. Start with attractions like Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour, The Homes of Football and Museum of Science and Industry.
If you want to check out another major destination in the United Kingdom, head for Birmingham, about 161 kilometres northwest of London. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre and Bournville Experience are key highlights.