Travelling from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to London: what you need to know
Approximately 11 hours 40 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Cape Town International Airport to London.
The timezone in London is UTC+0. The city is two hours behind Cape Town, where Cape Town International Airport is located.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most traveled route, with 14 flights a week to pick from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from CPT to LHR is with British Airways at 22:00. Opt for the first departure operated by Virgin Atlantic at 09:55 if you want to fly out earlier.
Leave plenty of time to make your CPT to London flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're flying during high season, so give yourself a bit more breathing room. A good rule of thumb for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Direct Cape Town International Airport to London tickets are available for booking. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is where you'll be touching down.
You'll have your choice of carriers that operate direct flights from Cape Town International Airport to London. Get on board with any of these:
Think about adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight ticket from CPT to London. All you need to do is deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Break up your journey by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
To reach CPT from central Cape Town, it'll take around 20 minutes if you're travelling by car. It's roughly 18 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Looking for a hotel close to CPT? If you've booked an early flight from Cape Town International Airport to London, these accommodation options will put you moments from check-in:
Cape Town International Airport has a strong on-time performance, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from CPT arrive on schedule 81.65% of the time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to London
RM812 is currently the best price for a one-way Cape Town International Airport to London flight. A return flight ticket starts from RM2,122. These fares can change depending on availability and demand.
Book nine months before you want to fly. Pricing trends suggest that this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from CPT to London.
Organise your trip for January. That's the best month for landing an incredible deal on Cape Town International Airport to London tickets. If you're open to different travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to access the cheapest price across each month.
Finding a cheap flight from CPT to London is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll let you know when a lower fare pops up.
Save money on your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London with the help of our filters. Choose your preferred departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is around 31 kilometres from central London. If you're getting a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 55 minutes.
It typically takes 1 hour if you're using public transport.
Think about booking a hotel close to LHR if you're coming in on a late flight from Cape Town International Airport to London. Select one of these options and skip the long transfer:
Follow your own route with a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and experience more of London and beyond.
Reserving your vehicle from London Heathrow Airport about one week before your flight from CPT to London can help you lock in the best possible rate.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The centre of London is around 80 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). After your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 1 hour 20 minutes.
The trip will take roughly 30 minutes on public transport.
There are some great places to drop your things at near LGW. Tuck yourself in and get cosy after your CPT to London flight at any of these perfectly located options:
The fastest way to reach your destination is with a London Gatwick Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Green Motion, U-Save or Drivalia and make a speedy getaway.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Securing your ride from LGW three weeks ahead of time often means better prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Make tracks for the city centre after your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London has landed. Central London is around 64 kilometres from Stansted Airport (STN) and takes roughly 1 hour to get to by car.
If you use public transport, the journey will take you around 1 hour 25 minutes.
If you don't want to make the trip to the centre, find a hotel near STN. Make yourself comfortable at one of these stays after your CPT to London flight:
Start your trip without stressing about how to reach your next stop with a Stansted Airport rental car. Book your wheels with trusted suppliers here like Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar.
If you're looking for a vehicle with specific features, book your ride from STN about four weeks ahead of your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London. This improves your chances of getting the car you prefer, along with a better deal.
Best time to go to London
Carefully consider your trip dates before securing your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London. The city comes alive during high season, but prices are typically higher and top attractions can be crowded. Plan your trip to London in the off-season if you like a more relaxed vibe.
Lock in a Cape Town International Airport to London flight ticket with a departure in July to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 11ºC (52ºF) to 26ºC (79ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from CPT to London around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about London
After booking your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring London:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be tricky to work out where to begin. The British Museum, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are leading attractions which should be on every London itinerary.
Explore more of United Kingdom
London has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of United Kingdom you'll want to see. Around 161 kilometres north-west of London, a visit to Birmingham will keep you on the move. Start with attractions like Cadbury World, The Library of Birmingham and National Sea Life Centre.
Around 177 kilometres west of London, Bristol is another favourite stop in United Kingdom. No visit is complete without checking out Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill Nature Park.