Transfers to and from Cape Town Airport

Cape Town International Airport, formerly known as D.F Malan Airport, is the second largest airport in South Africa, and the third largest on the whole continent of Africa. Over 10 million passengers pass through the airport every year, and approximately one and a half million of these passengers are international. Cape Town is a very popular city for tourism, and is also one of the most geographically striking cities, due to its position at the foot of Table Mountain. There are various forms of transport available for passengers travelling to Cape Town Airport, and motorists will find the airport easy to reach via a number of major roads and highways. Many people in Cape Town drive their own vehicles and park at the airport before their departure flights.

Cape Town Airport is located approximately 20 km, or 12 miles from the city center of Cape Town. The official airport code is listed as CPT, and the airport postal address is Private Bag X9002, Cape Town Airport International Airport, 7525. The airport also has a call center, providing customers with a convenient way to make enquiries about the airport services. The call center number is +27 (021) 937 1200. Flight information is available at 086 72 77 888, and an email address for enquires is available at customercare@airports.co.za.

The airport is accessible from the main N2 national freeway, which is also known as Settlers Way. While there are other prominent roads in Cape Town, such as the R300, the N2 is the only major road that leads to the airport. Indirectly, passengers can reach the airport from the R300, which runs in a north/south direction. It is also linked to the M10 by the M12, which is the Stellenbosch Arterial Road. The N2 is a very busy road, but provides a good access route to Cape Town Airport.

Driving from the City Center to Cape Town International Airport

From the city center, motorists should follow the Eastern Boulevard or De Waal Drive to reach the N2 highway. On the N2, there are many signs which indicate the direction of the airport. The turn-off to the airport is Exit 16, which leads onto the Airport Approach Road. This road provides a direct link between Cape Town Airport and the N2.

Driving from the Southern suburbs to Cape Town International Airport

From the southern suburbs, motorists should travel on the M5 in the direction of the city until reaching the turn-off for the N2. From the N2, turn off at Exit 16 and continue to the airport.

The roads in Cape Town are well marked, and their distances are all stated in kilometers. Major roads such as the N2 can be easily found from almost anywhere in city and from surrounding areas. The speed limits should be followed closely at all times, as speed traps and cameras are located in many areas. Highways such as the N2 have a speed limit of 120 km/p, and the speed limit in residential areas is 60 km/h.

Once arriving at Cape Town International Airport, motorists will find an adequate selection of car parking options. There is a general parking area with over a thousand spaces available, as well as a multi-storey parkade nearby the domestic terminal with over 1,500 spaces. Parking areas which have been recently built have also added many more spaces for the convenience of passengers with their own vehicles. A few car valet services are available as well. Passengers should ensure that they leave in plenty of time for their departure flight, as the N2 can become extremely busy, especially during rush hour traffic times. An accident or road works may also considerably slow the movement of traffic. Passengers are recommended to arrive at the airport about an hour and thirty minutes before a domestic flight, and two and half hours before an international flight.

There are numerous facilities within the terminal buildings at Cape Town Airport. Some of which include banking facilities by ABSA, Nedbank and FNB, as well as ATM's and currency exchange services. There is an Airport Conference Centre located in the Southern Office Block alongside the Domestic Terminal, which consists of four rooms able to accommodate between 6 and 80 people. The rooms are ideal for various purposes, and are often used as executive boardrooms or as spacious conference/training facilities. Mobile phones can be rented from Vodashop or MTN, or the public phones can be used to make calls. Parents will find adequate baby changing rooms available in most of the ladies restrooms, and porters are available to assist you with your luggage. They can be identified by their black and orange uniforms. They rely on tips for their income, and around R5 is recommended for each item of luggage handled.

Passengers who do not wish to park their own vehicles at Cape Town Airport can arrive by taxi, hotel shuttle bus or the MyCiTi Bus, which is a new bus service travelling between the airport and the Civic Center in the CBD of the city. Most hotels and guest houses offer complimentary transport to and from the airport, and taxis can be called to come and collect you from your location. However, there are a few taxi ranks around busy areas in Cape Town. There is no direct rail connection to the airport.

Motorists travelling to Cape Town International Airport will find that the roads provide easy access to the airport, and that driving in Cape Town is not that much different to driving in any other major city.