What's on in Cape Town?
Cape Town International Jazz Festival
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival is the fourth largest of its kind in the world and is the largest jazz festival held in Africa. Taking place at the end of March each year, the line-up features the best of local and international jazz artists. Tickets to the event sell out fast, and it’s a good idea to buy them as soon as they are released. The festival is held in the city centre at the Cape Town Convention Centre. Accommodation in the area tends to book out, and domestic flights to Cape Town can book out over the week of the event.
Rocking the Daisies
Rocking the Daisies (RTD) is one of the biggest summer festivals in Cape Town. Held in October, it brings together local and international artists from a range of musical genres. RTD also focuses heavily on sustainability. The festival has banned single-use plastics and encourages attendees to reduce their footprint by carpooling to the event. If you want to plan your return flights to Cape Town around RTD, you’ll need to hire a car or book a direct shuttle from the city to the festival, which is held in the Western Cape town of Darling.
What are the best places to stay in Cape Town?
City Bowl
If it’s your first time buying flights to Cape Town, the City Bowl is an excellent place to book a hotel. The area is made up of some of the most popular neighbourhoods like De Waterfront, Gardens and the Vredehoek. You can easily reach the City Bowl with the local MyCiti bus from Cape Town International Airport (CPT). No matter where you end up staying, you won’t be far from dozens of eateries, cafes, bars and clubs. Some of the top nearby attractions include the District Six Museum, Lions Head and Table Mountain.
Sea Point
Located on the Atlantic Seaboard, Sea Point is a beautiful neighbourhood for travellers buying airfare to Cape Town. It’s home to quaint cafes, quirky boutiques and a promenade that’s perfect for a sunset stroll. It’s a good option for families booking tickets to Cape Town that want a more laid back vibe without being too far from the city’s top sights. Sea Point is only a short bus ride or Uber trip away from Camps Bay Beach, Signal Hill and the V&A Waterfront.
Green Point
Green Point is a fantastic area for LGBTQ+ travellers looking to buy flights to Cape Town. The neighbourhood has some of the best gay bars and clubs in the city. If you’re planning on attending any events at Green Point Stadium, it’s wise to get a hotel in the area. Instead of taking an Uber or driving, you can simply walk from your accommodation to the event and avoid all the traffic.
Bloubergstrand
Bloubergstrand is a good option if it’s your second or third time buying tickets to Cape Town. The neighbourhood is 20 minutes' from the CBD and is a 30-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport (CPT). Depending on the traffic and if you’re using the public bus, it can take quite a long time to get around. But if you’re a kitesurfer searching for cheap flights to Cape Town, Bloubergstrand is the place to book a hotel. There are many kitesurfing schools in the area, and the beaches boast some of the best conditions for the sport.
What are the best things to do in Cape Town?
Table Mountain
A trip to Cape Town isn’t complete without summiting Table Mountain at least once. Avid hikers can walk from the slopes of the mountain to the top. Once there, there are plenty of other hiking trails to explore. If you don’t have time for a 2- to 3-hour trek, there is a cable car that can take you to the top while sparing your legs the extra exertion. Travellers can book single or return tickets online before their flights to Cape Town and skip the line.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens
The beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Established in 1913, it was one of the first botanical gardens in the world with the mission of preserving indigenous flora. Today, the 528-hectare reserve houses 20,000 native South African plant species. If you’re looking for cheap flights to Cape Town between December and February, you can also attend one of the popular Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts.
Chapman’s Peak Drive
If you want to visit Chapman’s Peak Drive, you’ll need to rent a car from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) or you can select a vehicle at the same time you buy your flights to Cape Town with Webjet. Located 25 kilometres from the city centre, it’s one of South Africa’s most scenic coastal roads. The nine-kilometre pass snakes its way from Hout Bay to Noordhoek with 114 curves and a 500-metre drop to the ocean below. When planning your itinerary for your flights to Cape Town, aim to visit Chapman’s for sunset. You can pull in at one of the panoramic viewpoints and watch the day go out in style.
When is The Best Time to Visit Cape Town?
The best time to visit Cape Town is during its shoulder seasons. From March to May and September to November, you'll find fewer crowds, beautiful weather and lower hotel rates.
Cape Town's summer months (December to February) is the city's high season. Travellers flock down to enjoy the beautiful beaches and excellent outdoor attractions. Make sure you book accommodation several months in advance, the city is notorious for even Airbnb's being hard to find during this season.
If you are visiting Cape Town for its wine scene, autumn is the best time to go. From March to May, the wineries in and around Cape Town invite visitors to help pick and juice grapes. There are also festivals such as the annual Elgin Cool Wine and Country Food Festival to add to your social calendar.
From June to August, the city is almost free from tourists. If you don't mind bundling up for Cape Town's infamous southeastern wind, you'll save big on accommodation. But if you are a surfer, the swells are at their best this time of year.
Spring is a great time to visit Cape Town if you love nature. The wildflowers are in bloom, adding to the beauty of the city's hiking routes. While hotel rates begin to rise during this period in anticipation for summer, you can still score a deal by booking a month or two in advance.
Airports in Cape Town
Cape Town International Airport
Cape Town International is located 20 km from the city centre. It's the second busiest airport in the country and the third busiest in Africa. The airport serves as a hub for local airline Mango and has direct flights to several destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
Getting To and From Cape Town International Airport
You'll find a fleet of taxis waiting outside the Arrivals terminal. A metered cab to the city centre will take 20 minutes and cost you ZAR 300 to ZAR 400. But if you want private transport, and you're on a budget order an Uber instead. A one-way trip will cost you under ZAR 200 depending on your final destination.
The cheapest way to get from the airport to the city centre is with the MyCiTi airport shuttle. The bus departs every 20 minutes and runs from 04:30 am until 10:00 pm. Fares will depend on distance and your time of travel but should cost you between ZAR 50 to ZAR 70 one way.
Other ways to get into the city include shared shuttle services and car rentals which can all be booked at the airport.