- 1. Before you fly
- 2. Landing
- 3. Immigration
- 4. Baggage & customs
- 5. Arrivals hall
- 6. Transport
- 7. Car rental
- 8. eSIM & money
- 9. First 24 hours
Stop and orient (stop 6)
You are landside. The Information Desk and the food court are both on the ground level. The Information Desk is your safest default meeting point; Woolworths and Books & Things are handy landmarks. Never wander outside looking for your driver.
Meet your person
Exit Customs into public arrivals, the first natural meeting point. Look for your family member, driver or hotel representative and the agreed sign. Make the meeting point specific: confirm the terminal, level, parking area and one recognisable landmark before the person starts walking. “I’m at the airport” is not a meeting point.
Use the services you need
- Information Desk: ask when unsure where to go or what the current process is.
- Pharmacy: Dis-Chem for medication, toiletries or basic travel supplies. The first-aid point has a red-cross pillar.
- Restrooms: available in the public area after Customs, a useful final stop before transport.
The Information Desk and the pharmacy are in the arrivals area. Locations and operating arrangements can change.
Decline unsolicited offers
If someone offers unsolicited transport, help or a deal, decline. Use your pre-arranged provider or an official channel. Follow the signage, never a tout.
Know where to go if something goes wrong
Problem First action Driver not there Stay inside, contact the company, go to the Information Desk Lost item in the terminal Airport Information / Lost Property Item stolen Airport police station, Parkade 2 (P2). Keep the reference number
Parking decks and pickup areas
| Area | What it is for |
|---|---|
| P1 | E-hailing (Uber / Bolt) pickup, ground floor |
| P2 | Hotel and other shuttle arrangements. The airport police station is also in P2, the multi-storey parking building |
| P3 / P4 | Shaded parking either side of the car-rental centre, reached by pedestrian subways |
Parking rules can change, so check current ACSA parking information before you rely on a grace period, tariff or pickup rule. ACSA (official site)
Landside assistance: +27 21 937 1200 (check the current number on the ACSA website). Use the lifts for a step-free route.
The ground floor can feel quiet after late flights, and the airport has no overnight facilities. Do not sit alone in an empty hall: move to the busiest, best-lit area with other people and cameras. Level 3 of the Central Terminal Building (Mug & Bean, Wimpy) is the author’s suggestion. Opening hours change (Wimpy has traditionally run 24 hours), so check what is open. If your driver is late, stay inside, call or message them, and never accept a ride from someone who approaches you.
If this is you
- Solo travellers, especially women: stay in well-lit, busy areas; the Information Desk is the safest waiting point. Share your live location once you have signal. Use a pre-booked transfer or a verified app ride only.
- Groups: pick one meeting point and one landmark before landing, and share one contact number.
Get the full Cape Town Airport Arrival Guide
A calm, step-by-step route from the aircraft door through immigration, baggage and customs into verified onward transport. Mobile-first, printable and offline-ready, with the peak-time planner, the 10-second stamp check, the 2026 declaration summary, transport and pickups, and a 60-second checklist. Fill in your meeting point and driver details on the printable notes pages.
Get the full Arrival Guide on Payhip ↗October 2026 edition · 20 pages · Independent, not affiliated with ACSA
Airport procedures can change. Layouts, procedures, services, transport, fares and operating hours can change. Always follow current instructions from the airport, airline, immigration, Customs, security and transport providers. This page reflects the October 2026 edition of the guide.
Independent guide. Cape Town Flow is an independent publication, not affiliated with or endorsed by ACSA, the airport operator. The views are the author’s own.