By Air in Cape Town

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By Air

Cape Town International Airport lies about 20 km (12 1/2 mi) southeast of the city center in the Cape Flats. The domestic and international terminals both have booths run by Cape Town Tourism, which are open from 7:30 until the last flight comes in.

International carriers flying into Cape Town include Air Namibia, British Airways, Globespan, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LTU, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, and Virgin Atlantic. Domestic flights are operated by British Airways/Comair/Kulula.com, Mango, Nationwide, 1time, and South African Airways/SA Airlink/SA Express.

There are no scheduled buses or trains to or from the airport, but there are plenty of private transportation operators. Shuttle services are based inside the domestic baggage hall and outside the international terminal, and can be phoned for airport drop-offs (as can other shuttle and taxi operators). Rates vary depending on the operator, the number in the group, the destination, and the time of arrival. As a single traveler, you can pay less if you're prepared to share the ride with others. One person going into the city center pays between R110 and R195, whereas the rate for a group of four is R140 to R210. A surcharge of up to 50% is usually levied from 10 PM until early morning, and some shuttles charge more for arrivals than for departures to cover waiting time. Metered taxis can also be found outside the terminals. Reports of overcharging are common, so check the fare first. A ride into the center of town costs around R260 with Dalhouzie/Touch Down and about R240 with Marine Taxis. For the ultimate luxury ride you can hire a six-seat Lincoln stretch limo from Cape Limousine Services. Rates are R1,000 for the first two hours and R300 per hour thereafter (add extra for gas if you travel outside the Cape Town area).

Airlines

Air Namibia (021/936-2755. www.airnamibia.com). British Airways/Comair/Kulula.com (021/936-9000 British Airways. www.britishairways.com. 011/921-0111 Comair. www.comair.co.za. 0861/585-852 Kulula. www.kulula.com). Globespan (0044/1314-667-612 in the U.K. www.globespan.com). KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (086/024-7747. www.klm.co.za). LTU (021/936-1190. www.ltu.com). Lufthansa (011/975-0402. www.lufthansa.com). Malaysia Airlines (021/934-8794. www.malaysiaairlines.com). Mango (021/936-1061 or 0861/162-646. www.flymango.com). Nationwide (021/936-2050. www.flynationwide.co.za). Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com). 1time (086/134-5345. www.1time.aero). Singapore Airlines (021/674-0601. www.singaporeair.com). South African Airways/SA Airlink/SA Express (021/936-1111. www.flysaa.com). Virgin Atlantic (011/340-3400. www.virgin-atlantic.com).

Airport

Cape Town International Airport (021/937-1200; 086/727-7888 flight information. www.airports.co.za).

Airport Transfers

Cape Limousine Services (021/785-3100). Cape Town Sprinter (021/982-5815). City Hopper (021/934-4440). Dalhouzie/Touch Down Taxis (021/919-4659 or 021/919-2834). Dumalisile (021/934-1660). Legend Tours and Transfers (021/674-7055). Magic Bus (021/505-6300. www.magicbus.co.za. capemagic@magicbus.co.za). Marine Taxis (021/434-0434). Shawn Shuttle Service (082/954-4467). Way 2 Go (021/638-0505).