Travelling from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport (CPT): What you need to know
Nairobi is home to two main airports where you can kick off your trip. Check out your options for booking a flight from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) departing from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL).
Expect to be travelling for 5 hours 45 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport flight.
Cape Town is one hour behind Nairobi. Cape Town International Airport is located in Cape Town, which operates on the UTC+2 timezone.
You can pick from 3 direct services each week between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT). This is the busiest route, with Kenya Airways offering a 8:10am departure from NBO to CPT.
Your flight from Nairobi to CPT won't wait if you're running late, so don't forget to check in on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're flying internationally.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow a bit more breathing room. The recommendation for peak times? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is a convenient option for travelling directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) leave from this terminal.
Kenya Airways is a well-known airline that offers direct flights from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport leaving from NBO.
The majority of passengers prefer to fly with Kenya Airways from NBO to CPT.
The carrier with the top on-time arrival rate on this route is Kenya Airways.
We make it a piece of cake to book cheap flights from Nairobi to CPT with a stopover. To explore your options leaving from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight with a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Major stopovers between NBO and CPT include:
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
Victoria Falls Airport (VFA)
The journey from central Nairobi to NBO takes about 1 hour 10 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 14 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want an easy start to your journey? Stay near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport or aren't a fan of being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, data shows 67.1% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
WIL is about 3 kilometres from central Nairobi. It'll take you 15 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 45 minutes.
Start your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your Nairobi to CPT flight, stay in one of these hotels near Wilson Airport:
About Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
If you have a late flight from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these options near CPT:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a Cape Town International Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Europcar, Carwiz or First - Car Hire and find adventure across Cape Town and beyond.
Lock in the best deal by booking your vehicle around one week before your Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport flight.
How to find the cheapest flights from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport is R 6,220. For a return flight on this route, the best price is R 5,763. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares may change.
To snap up cheap flights from Nairobi to CPT, book your ticket five months ahead of your departure date.
Schedule your trip for October. That's the best month for scoring a great bargain on Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport tickets. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Nairobi to CPT couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a price drop.
Filters make it easier to scoop up a deal on your flight from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport. Choose the departure times, airlines and number of stops that check all your boxes. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to find the best price quickly.
The best time to fly from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Think about your travel style when planning the timing of your trip. April is the quietest month to go to Cape Town. June is when most people book flights from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which may be perfect if you enjoy travelling when it's busier.
The warmest month in Cape Town is February, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Book your Nairobi to CPT plane ticket then if that's your idea of comfortable weather.
Look for cheap tickets from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport in July if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 9ºC (48ºF) and 19ºC (66ºF).
More about Cape Town
Once you've booked your flight from Nairobi to Cape Town International Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Cape Town:
Table Mountain and Cecilia, Table Mountain are just a couple of the popular attractions to put on your Cape Town must-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to The Rock.
Explore more of South Africa
Saldanha is just one of the many places in South Africa waiting to be explored after you've experienced Cape Town. Around 121 kilometres away to the north-west, its top attractions include North Head Lighthouse, Saldanha Bay Harbour and NG Kerk Saldanha.
Around 97 kilometres north-east of Cape Town, Ceres is another favourite stop in South Africa. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Ceres Mountain Fynbos Nature Reserve, Ceres Mosque and Ceres Sportgronde.
