International Flights to and From Cape Town and Johannesburg South Africa – All You Need To Know

Delegates to Cape Town mostly arrive and depart by air. Once on the ground, getting around is relatively simple and convenient, with MyCiti bus services, taxis, hotel shuttles and hire-cars being the preferred modes of transport for international travellers. Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town have modern airports with facilities to match. Apart from shops and restaurants, international arrival halls have banks and foreign exchange outlets. Lounges are available for business-class travellers. All of the airports offer wireless Internet (WIFI) access throughout the building or designated ‘hot spots’ where coverage exists.

There are WIFI facilities at both the International and Domestic Terminals at Cape Town International Airport.

The Cape Town International Convention Centre and other conference venues and hotels in the Cape Town central business district are a 20-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport. While a number of international and national carriers service Cape Town International Airport direct with the bulk of international carriers flying into Johannesburg. Cape Town is a two-hour domestic flight from Johannesburg and on average there are flights every half hour between the two cities with a variety of domestic carriers.

Departure Check-In

Departing passengers should allow at least two hours check-in time for all international flights. An hour is normally adequate for domestic check-in and this will allow for sufficient time for parking and check processes.

International Airlines Flying Into Cape Town

  • Air Mauritius
  • Air Namibia (Regional)
  • British Airways
  • Emirates
  • KLM
  • Lufthansa
  • Singapore Airlines
  • South African Airways
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • Turkish Airlines
  • Qatar Airways
  • SA Express

In addition, domestic carriers also service Cape Town, with frequent scheduled onward services to other centres in South Africa including Johannesburg, George, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, Upington and Nelspruit.

  • British Airways/Comair
  • Kulula.com
  • South African Airways
  • South African Airlink
  • South African Express
  • Mango Airlines

Passports and Visas

Every visitor to South Africa must have a valid passport. Passport holders from more than 80 countries, including USA, Canada, UK, Japan and the EU can visit South Africa without a visa. Information regarding visas can be obtained from your travel agent or the South African diplomatic or consular representative in your area. Passports should have at least 2 completely empty pages otherwise entry may be denied. Passports must be valid for at least 30 days after your intended date of departure. Delegates requiring visas, and who intend taking tours to neighbouring Southern African countries, are advised to secure a multiple entry visa. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means of support for the duration of their stay in the country and return /onward tickets. Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. A list of countries that currently do not require a visa can be found at the SA Government website.

Please note that with immediate effect, anyone travelling to South Africa must have two consecutive blank pages in their passport, which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. left and a right hand page). Passports must also be valid for at least six months. Passengers travelling to South Africa with passports, which do not comply with these requirements, will either be stopped from boarding the aircraft or risk deportation on arrival in South Africa.

To check if you require a visa, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

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