Flying from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to London: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 11 hours 35 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from Cape Town International Airport to London.
London is 2 hours behind Cape Town, where Cape Town International Airport is located. London operates on the UTC+0 timezone.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most popular route, with 31 weekly departures to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from CPT to LHR is with British Airways at 21:15. Opt for the first departure operated by Virgin Atlantic at 10:40 if you want to get going early.
To ensure you get on your flight from CPT to London, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Flying during a peak month like June? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer lines and delays at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before domestic departures.
You can book a direct flight from Cape Town International Airport to London that lands at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
You'll have your choice of airlines operating direct flights from Cape Town International Airport to London. Reserve your trip with one of these:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your trip — and possibly even tour another city. When searching for flights from CPT to London, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Franz Josef Strauss Airport (MUC)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
To enter United Kingdom for tourism purposes, you'll need an embassy visa if you hold a passport from South Africa. However, visa rules are subject to change and you may need additional documents depending on the purpose and length of your stay. Always check the latest guidelines before reserving your cheap ticket from Cape Town International Airport to London.
CPT is around 19 kilometres from central Cape Town. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 21 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a stress-free start to your travels? Stay near CPT. Whether you've booked an early flight from Cape Town International Airport to London or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:
How to find the cheapest flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to London
The best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Cape Town International Airport to London is 190 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 490 €. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To secure cheap tickets from CPT to London, book your trip 5 months before your departure date.
Organise your trip for January. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Cape Town International Airport to London. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest price across every month.
Getting a cheap ticket from CPT to London is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Cape Town International Airport to London.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London is roughly 31 kilometres. It takes about 57 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It'll take around 1 hour and 1 minute if you're using public transport.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Cape Town International Airport to London. Check in to one of these accommodation options near LHR instead:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
As soon as your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London has arrived, you can reach the city centre in about 1 hour and 19 minutes by car. Central London is approximately 80 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
The trip will take roughly 1 hour and 26 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from CPT to London, settle in at a hotel near LGW. These are some comfortable options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to London
It's time to work out your trip dates for your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London. July is the busiest month to travel to London. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in London is July, with temperatures ranging between 11ºC and 26ºC. Lock in your flights from Cape Town International Airport to London in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January sees average temperatures of between 0ºC and 9ºC. Look for cheap flights from CPT to London sometime then if you like cooler conditions.
More about London
After locking in your flight from Cape Town International Airport to London, think about where you want to stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring London:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are essential stops on your London itinerary.
Complete your London trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Cape Town International Airport to London to track down amazing deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare your options in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need on car rentals in London, from the most popular car type to the average daily price.