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Cape Town International · CPT
Cape Town Airport, without the guesswork.
From aircraft door to Uber, hotel, Table Mountain—and back to your gate.
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Created by a former Cape Town International Airport operations coordinator with 12 years’ experience. Independent guide—not affiliated with ACSA.
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01 — Touchdown
Runway 19. Table Mountain is the first thing you'll see.
Most international arrivals land as the light is changing — the mountain is usually the first Cape Town landmark visible from your window.
02 — Arrivals
Welcome to Cape Town — you're already through the hardest part.
From the aircraft door to the international arrivals concourse, the walk is signposted the whole way. The guide covers exactly what happens next: immigration, then baggage.
Follow the arrivals route
03 — Information
Everything you need to get moving is right here.
Tourism desks, SIM cards, currency exchange, car hire counters — the arrivals hall has more useful infrastructure than most visitors realise. We map it out so you're not hunting for it.
04 — On Your Way
Past the doors, the city opens up in front of you.
Whether you're in a transfer, a rental car, or a rideshare, this is where the trip actually starts. The guide covers every way out of the airport, so you can decide before you walk out.
Choose your transport
05 — The Coastal Road
Victoria Road. Ocean on one side, the Twelve Apostles on the other.
The drive from the airport toward Camps Bay is one of the more dramatic airport-to-city routes anywhere — this is what you're heading toward.
06 — Arrival
This is what's waiting at the end of the drive.
Cape Town rewards the visitors who plan the first hour well. The rest of the trip takes care of itself.
Get the Arrival Guide
07 — Golden Hour
Breathe out. You've made it.
No queues, no confusion, no wasted first afternoon. Just the mountain, the ocean, and the rest of the trip ahead of you.
08 — Welcome
Cape Town, properly. This is where the guide comes in.
The Cape Town Flow Arrival Guide walks you through immigration, baggage, customs, transport and car rental — everything on this page, in detail, before you land.
The journey
Follow your trip, one step at a time
From planning to your departure gate. Jump in wherever you are.
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Stage 1 · Before you fly
Plan your arrival
Get ready before you leave home.
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Stage 2 · Landing
Aircraft door to arrivals hall
The four steps every international arrival follows.
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Stage 3 · Getting out
Transport, data and your first day
From the kerb to your first afternoon.
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Stage 4 · Your trip
Explore
Table Mountain, the coast, and beyond the city.
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Stage 5 · Heading home
Back to your departure gate
Leave Cape Town as calmly as you arrived.
Your first steps after landing
Transfers & Connectivity
Plan your airport transfer, car hire and mobile data before you arrive in Cape Town.
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Freedom to explore
Car Rental
Compare airport car-hire choices and learn where to go after baggage claim. Check current rates, deposit terms and pickup details before you book.
Compare your options
Stay connected
Travel eSIM for South Africa
Explore Airalo and Saily travel eSIM options. Check device compatibility, coverage, available plans and validity before you buy.
Explore Airalo eSIMs Explore Saily eSIMsAffiliate disclosure: the transfer and eSIM buttons are partner links. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Providers control pricing, availability and terms. Not a recommendation of one provider over another.
Your next chapter
Guide & Stays
Find a base by the coast and start planning what you want to see.
Stay by the sea
Camps Bay & Atlantic Seaboard
Explore the neighbourhoods, coastline and stay-planning notes for the Atlantic side of Cape Town. Compare current guest reviews and rates for your dates.
Explore Cape Town
Make the most of the day
Table Mountain & Experiences
Browse Cape Town activities and bookable experiences. Availability, guest ratings and prices are set by each activity provider.
Explore experiencesPrices, availability and guest ratings change with dates and providers; confirm live details before booking. Viator, Airalo and Saily links are affiliate links and may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Airalo and Saily links pass through Travelpayouts before opening the provider website.
Before you land
Get The Arrival Guide
Cape Town airport arrival FAQs
What happens after I land at Cape Town International Airport?
International arrivals continue through passport control, baggage collection and customs before reaching the arrivals hall. Follow airport signs and check current entry requirements before travel.
What are my options for getting from the airport to Cape Town?
You can arrange a private airport transfer, hire a car or compare other transport options. Check current availability, pickup instructions and prices with the provider before booking.
Is Cape Town Flow an official airport website?
No. Cape Town Flow is an independent travel information resource and is not affiliated with Cape Town International Airport, ACSA or a government tourism authority.
Can I read the arrival guide on my phone?
Yes. The website and digital guide are designed to be read on a phone, tablet or computer.