CPT — Cape Town — Taxi Fare Guide
The airport is only about 20 km from the city centre, so the trip is short - usually 20-30 minutes. The cheapest and most transparent options are the apps: Uber and Bolt both operate at CPT with an upfront price, typically R150-250 into the City Bowl. The e-hailing pick-up is signposted at Parkade 1 (reached via the skybridge from Arrivals); allow 5-10 minutes to walk there.
Regulated metered taxis wait at the official rank outside Arrivals and cost more, roughly R250-400 depending on destination and traffic. They have official meters, so confirm the meter is on or agree the fare before departing.
Safety note: use only the official metered-taxi rank or a booked app ride. Ignore informal drivers who approach you inside the terminal or car park offering a lift, as these are unregulated and can overcharge. App rides give you a tracked trip and a fixed price, which is the safest choice for arriving travellers.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| City Centre / City Bowl (Uber/Bolt) | R150-250 | 20-30 min |
| City Centre (metered taxi) | R250-400 | 20-30 min |
| V&A Waterfront | R180-300 | 25-35 min |
| Camps Bay / Sea Point | R250-380 | 30-40 min |
| Practical tips: Book Uber or Bolt from the signed Parkade 1 pick-up, or use the official metered rank; decline informal offers. Fares surge during peak times and evenings, and it is wise to have both card and some cash on hand. |
Other ways to the city
Cape Town has no airport train - the Metrorail suburban network does not reach the terminal - so the dedicated bus service is the main public alternative to a car.
- MyCiTi bus route A01 - the official airport shuttle, running roughly every 20-30 minutes from outside the terminal to the Civic Centre station in the CBD in about 25 minutes. You need a rechargeable myconnect card, bought at the airport kiosk; the fare plus card typically comes to around R110-140 for a first trip, with cheaper journeys thereafter.
- MyCiTi city network - from Civic Centre you can connect on the same card to the V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Hout Bay and Table View for a few rand per leg.
- Metrorail - the suburban rail network links the CBD with Simon's Town, Stellenbosch and the northern suburbs, but has no airport station and is not recommended with luggage.
- Shuttle operators - shared-van services run scheduled transfers to city hotels and to Stellenbosch and the Winelands at fares between a bus and a private car.
Cape Town — Highlights in photos
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.