Flying from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport (CPT): What you need to know
The timezone in Cape Town is UTC+2, which is five hours ahead of Rio de Janeiro. Cape Town International Airport is located in Cape Town.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your flight from Rio de Janeiro to CPT. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid any last-minute rush.
Popular months like January or other busy periods mean bigger queues and potential delays. Stay ahead of the crowds by getting to the airport even earlier. Aim for at least four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Airports in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG)
Stopovers are a great opportunity to discover a new place or just have a break during your travels. When searching for a cheap flight from Rio de Janeiro to CPT, uncheck 'Direct flights only' to compare all potential stops. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is an option when departing from Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport (GIG).
GIG is around 19 kilometres from central Rio de Janeiro. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour.
In search of a comfortable hotel close to Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport? If you're catching an early flight from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
Rio de Janeiro Galeao International Airport has a solid on-time record, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from GIG land on schedule 80% of the time.
Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU)
SDU is around 5 kilometres from central Rio de Janeiro. It'll take you 10 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 20 minutes.
Taking off bright and early? Think about staying at one of these hotels near Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport the day before your Rio de Janeiro to CPT flight:
79% of flights departing Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport arrive within the expected time frame.
About Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Reserve a hotel close to CPT if you're catching a late flight from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport. Check in to one of these accommodation options and end the night sooner:
Booking your vehicle around one week ahead of your Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport flight can help you find the best deal.
Getting from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to central Cape Town
Central Cape Town is around 19 kilometres from Cape Town International Airport and takes about 25 minutes to reach by car. See what your options are for making the trip into the city, whether that's with a car hire, taxi or ride-share.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 35 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport is $982. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $1,421. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
To find cheap flights from Rio de Janeiro to CPT, book early. Airlines typically offer lower prices when flights are first released.
If you have some flexibility with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price in every month when searching for your Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport ticket.
Snapping up a cheap plane ticket from Rio de Janeiro to CPT is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Lock in a cheap flight from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport by using filters. Choose your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
January is the most popular month for flights from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport (CPT). Plan your visit to Cape Town in December for a more low-key escape.
When booking your Rio de Janeiro to CPT plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. February is the warmest month in Cape Town, with temperatures ranging from 13ºC (55ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport in July when temperatures are between 6ºC (43ºF) and 18ºC (64ºF).
More about Cape Town
After booking your flight from Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town International Airport, find a hotel that puts you in a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Cape Town:
Table Mountain and The Rock are a couple of big attractions to put on your Cape Town travel itinerary. Keep the sightseeing going at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden.
Explore more of South Africa
You've visited Cape Town, now it's time to explore other corners of South Africa. Travel around 121 kilometres northwest to Saldanha to check off its top attractions. From North Head Lighthouse to Hoedjieskop Museum and Pietskiet Museum, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Any journey through South Africa wouldn't be as memorable without a stop in Ceres. Ceres Mountain Fynbos Nature Reserve and Togryers Museum are among the highlights in this well-known destination, which is about 97 kilometres northeast of Cape Town.