LON - CPT

R7 862 Find Cheap Flights from London to Cape Town – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
R12 151
Typical prices: R13 916-R24 181
Norse Atlantic UK
Fri 23/2Mon 19/3
LGW - CPT • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
R7 862
Typical prices: R8 373-R16 603
Multiple Airlines
Thu 15/3
LGW - CPT • 2 stops
Direct flights
Every day
You can fly direct with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Norse Atlantic UK. Average duration is 11h 41m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Top routes
LGW - CPT
Cheapest • 26% average savings
LHR - CPT
Most popular
Insights
Insights
Avoid delays
Virgin Atlantic
Most punctual • 98% on-time
Night
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
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When to book
4 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 4 weeks in advance save around 11% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
May
Cheapest • 24% price drop
December
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl (NBO)
Cheapest • Avg R15 261 (return)
Zurich (ZRH)
Shortest trip • 15h 19m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Cape Town!
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Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from London to Cape Town (LON-CPT)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from London to Cape Town

Tue, Feb 23 - Fri, Mar 19
Norse Atlantic UK Logo
7:30 - 21:00LGW  London Gatwick-CPT Cape Town Intl
11h 30mdirect
Norse Atlantic UK Logo
23:10 - 10:00CPT  Cape Town Intl-LGW London Gatwick
12h 50mdirect
R12 151Norse Atlantic UK
Tue, Nov 24 - Tue, Dec 1
Multiple Airlines Logo
21:10 - 12:40LGW  London Gatwick-CPT Cape Town Intl
37h 30m3 stops Dublin Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl Johannesburg OR Tambo
Multiple Airlines Logo
23:10 - 9:30CPT  Cape Town Intl-LGW London Gatwick
12h 20mdirect
R12 151Multiple Airlines
Sat, Jan 30 - Fri, Feb 5
Norse Atlantic UK Logo
20:00 - 9:30LGW  London Gatwick-CPT Cape Town Intl
11h 30mdirect
Norse Atlantic UK Logo
23:10 - 9:30CPT  Cape Town Intl-LGW London Gatwick
12h 20mdirect
R12 184Norse Atlantic UK
Wed, Dec 2 - Thu, Dec 24
Condor Logo
10:20 - 10:45LGW  London Gatwick-CPT Cape Town Intl
22h 25m1 stop Frankfurt am Main
Condor Logo
18:35 - 15:00CPT  Cape Town Intl-LGW London Gatwick
22h 25m1 stop Frankfurt am Main
R12 217Condor
Sat, Jan 23 - Thu, Feb 4
Turkish Airlines Logo
17:55 - 12:05LHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
16h 10m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
17:15 - 9:45CPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
18h 30m1 stop Istanbul
R12 217Turkish Airlines
Thu, Dec 3 - Sun, Dec 13
Multiple Airlines Logo
21:25 - 12:40LGW  London Gatwick-CPT Cape Town Intl
37h 15m3 stops Dublin Abu Dhabi Zayed Intl Johannesburg OR Tambo
Multiple Airlines Logo
11:20 - 21:05CPT  Cape Town Intl-LGW London Gatwick
11h 45mdirect
R12 217Multiple Airlines
Wed, Mar 10 - Mon, Mar 22
Turkish Airlines Logo
16:00 - 12:05LHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
18h 05m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
0:55 - 16:20CPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
17h 25m1 stop Istanbul
R12 300Turkish Airlines
Tue, Mar 9 - Mon, Mar 15
Condor Logo
10:25 - 10:45LGW  London Gatwick-CPT Cape Town Intl
22h 20m1 stop Frankfurt am Main
Condor Logo
18:35 - 9:35CPT  Cape Town Intl-LGW London Gatwick
17h 00m1 stop Frankfurt am Main
R12 333Condor
Fri, Feb 5 - Mon, Mar 1
Ethiopian Air Logo
20:15 - 14:10LHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
15h 55m1 stop Addis Ababa Bole
Ethiopian Air Logo
15:10 - 6:35CPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
17h 25m1 stop Addis Ababa Bole
R12 400Ethiopian Air
Sun, Feb 7 - Sat, Feb 27
Ethiopian Air Logo
20:15 - 14:10LHR  London Heathrow-CPT Cape Town Intl
15h 55m1 stop Addis Ababa Bole
Ethiopian Air Logo
13:50 - 6:35CPT  Cape Town Intl-LHR London Heathrow
18h 45m1 stop Addis Ababa Bole
R12 400Ethiopian Air
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for London to Cape Town flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from London to Cape Town?

Return flights from London to Cape Town typically range from R13 916 to R24 181. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was R12 151 on Norse Atlantic UK.

What is the cheapest London to Cape Town flight route?

London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Cape Town (CPT) is the cheapest London to Cape Town route, averaging R14 440 return. Other London to Cape Town routes average R20 542, based on KAYAK data over the past 12 months.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from London to Cape Town?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Monday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from London to Cape Town. It's 2% cheaper than the average day, while Saturday is the most expensive, with prices 16% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Cape Town?

•May is the cheapest month to fly from London to Cape Town at R13 414 return.
•December (R25 016) and July (R22 190) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 86% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from London to Cape Town the cheapest?

Flights from London to Cape Town are cheapest 4 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 11% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Find deals

Key details for London to Cape Town flights

Low season

July

Cheapest flight

R7 862
Beat the crowds with an average 59% drop in travellers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 71% increase in travellers.
One-way flight from London Gatwick Airport to Cape Town

When to book flights from London to Cape Town

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from London to Cape Town based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your London to Cape Town flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from London to Cape Town?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from London to Cape Town:

    • Earliest: departs at 6:50 and lands at 18:31
    • Latest: departs at 22:30 and lands at 10:11.

    The flight takes about 11h 41m.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from London to Cape Town?

    Four cabin classes are available on flights from London to Cape Town:

    • Economy class
    • Premium Economy Class
    • Business Class
    • First Class

    Prices vary by airline.

  • How long is a flight from London to Cape Town?

    A direct flight from London to Cape Town takes 11h 41m, covering 15 566 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from London to Cape Town?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a London to Cape Town flight?

    Return flights from London to Cape Town range from R13 916 to R24 181, with an average of R17 742 over the past 12 months. Anything below R13 916 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute London to Cape Town flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 0% above the R17 742 route average. Book 4 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from London to Cape Town?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average R15 261 return via Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl (NBO), compared with R17 734 for direct.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from London to Cape Town?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge R981–R1 662 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • How are flight departures from London to Cape Town spread across the day?

    Evening is the busiest departure period on London to Cape Town flights, with 50% leaving in that window. Night departures account for 50%, Morning flights for 0%, and Afternoon flights for 0%.

  • How are flight prices from London to Cape Town looking right now?

    One-way fares from London to Cape Town are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about R8 780, which is 25% below the typical average for this route.

  • Which car hire options are available at Cape Town Intl Airport (CPT)?

    Cape Town Intl Airport (CPT) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around R449 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Sixt
    • Europcar
    • Woodford
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Hertz

  • Which airports can I use when flying from London to Cape Town?

    Flights from London to Cape Town may depart from several airports in London area, including London City (LCY), London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), London Luton (LTN), London Southend (SEN) and London Stansted (STN). Flights usually arrive at Cape Town Intl (CPT).

  • What time of day has the fewest delays on flights from London to Cape Town?

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route, while evening departures tend to have the most.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from London to Cape Town?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the London to Cape Town route, 11% of flights were delayed in the past three months, with delays averaging 1h 54m.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from London to Cape Town pass through?

    One-stop flights from London to Cape Town most commonly connect through:

    • Addis Ababa Bole (ADD) – 28% of one-stop connections
    • Istanbul (IST) – 14% of one-stop connections
    • Zurich (ZRH) – 14% of one-stop connections
    • Frankfurt am Main (FRA) – 12% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from London to Cape Town?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 12% on flights from London to Cape Town. Monday is the cheapest departure day at R18 118 return on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at R20 578, a difference of R2 460.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • Which airlines fly from London to Cape Town?

    3 airlines operate flights between London and Cape Town. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • British Airways
    • Virgin Atlantic
    • Norse Atlantic UK

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from London to Cape Town?

    Flying via Zurich (ZRH) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 15h 19m, compared to 15h 34m via Frankfurt am Main (FRA) and 15h 40m via Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS).

  • What is the time difference between London and Cape Town?

    Cape Town is 2 hours ahead of London (South Africa Time vs British Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Cape Town?

    Some of the most popular sights in Cape Town are Sea Point Pavilion, Bloubergstrand Beach, and Camps Bay Beach. These are among the most viewed places in Cape Town on KAYAK.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on London to Cape Town flights?

    Among airlines operating London to Cape Town flights:

    • Virgin Atlantic: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • Norse Atlantic UK: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection
    • A.P.G.: offers free seat selection
    • KLM: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on London to Cape Town flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Virgin Atlantic: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Norse Atlantic UK: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • British Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Baggage allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so always check the fare details before booking.

  • What public transport is available from Cape Town International airport to the city centre?

    There are bus services that link the airport in Cape Town to the city centre. The bus stops are located outside the main terminal, accessible from both arrivals and departures halls. MyCiti bus runs every 20 minutes from 5:30am to 9:30pm, the journey is around 30 minutes and costs between R87.80 (about 5 GBP) and R96.50 (about 5.5 GBP), depending on the season.

  • Which taxi company should I use from Cape Town International Airport to the city centre?

    Touch Down Taxis is the official taxi company at the airport, however several other companies operate there as well. The taxi rank is located on ground level outside the Arrivals hall, however it is advised to pre-book a taxi. The taxi fare to the Cape Town city centre should cost between R260 (about 15 GBP) and R320 (about 19 GBP), depending on the cab company.

  • Which airport hotels are available at Cape Town International Airport?

    There are two hotels available in the airport vicinity. Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport is located within a few steps of the airport. It has 90 rooms, offers free parking, breakfast and Wi-Fi. Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport is located 2 mins from the airport and offers a free shuttle service from 4am to midnight.

  • Where can I have a shower at Cape Town International Airport?

    If you need to freshen up after your flight, you will find showers available in Bidvest lounges for a fee. It is best to check if they are available on a particular day before paying to enter the lounge. Alternatively, you can purchase a package deal at Hotel Verde Cape Town, which includes access to the showers, swimming pool and gym.

Your guide to booking London to Cape Town flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Monday departure and avoid flying on Saturday. On this route, Monday flights average R18 118, which is about R2 460 less than Saturday fares (12% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 4 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 11% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your London to Cape Town trip for May. Fares historically average R13 414 return in that month – typically R11 602 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • For the best chance of arriving on time, fly with Virgin Atlantic. Over the past three months, 98% of Virgin Atlantic flights from London to Cape Town arrived on time, slightly above the route average of 89%. When flights on this route arrive late, they're delayed by an average of 1h 54m, so choosing an airline with strong on-time performance can make a difference if you're on a tight schedule.
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Airport (NBO) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages R15 261 return on this route – about R2 473 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Cape Town Intl Airport.

    • Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport
    • Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport
  • There are direct flights from London to Cape Town with British Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines, while South African Airlines fly direct to Johannesburg then sends you on an internal flight to Cape Town. If you like to travel in a spacious seat, you should consider Emirates, Turkish Airlines or Ethiopian Airlines. While their flights include a stop-over, their average leg room space is very comfortable.
  • If you are travelling with children, you will find children’s play areas available at Cape Town International Airport, as well as facilities to change diapers in all women’s restrooms. Similar facilities are also available at all of the six London airports, and you can even warm baby bottles at London Southend Airport at the Lakers Bar in departures.
  • British Airways, Emirates and South African Airways all have dedicated airline lounges at Cape Town International Airport, though they are only accessible by their VIP customers. If you are travelling economy, you can access the Bidvest Premier Lounge with a fee. If you are a smoker, you can access the Smokers’ Lounge at the international terminal.
  • If you wish to park your car and fly before your flight from London to Cape Town, you will find that all of the London airports offer short term and long term car park options, with daily rates as low as 12 GBP per day at London City Airport if you book online ahead of time. Heathrow Airport offers a valet parking service for those with a busy schedule who just want to drop off their car and pick it up on their return.
  • Disabled parking spots are available at all car park levels at Cape Town International Airport. In addition, the airport is equipped with lifts and ramps, wheelchairs are available for hire, and restrooms are easily accessible by travellers with wheelchairs. If you need assistance embarking and disembarking, please inform your airline at least 48 hours before departure time.

Prefer to fly direct from London to Cape Town Intl?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from London to Cape Town Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

London to Cape Town Intl

Monday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Tuesday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic,Norse Atlantic UK

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic, +1 more

Wednesday

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK, +1 more

Thursday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Friday

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK, +1 more

Saturday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic,Norse Atlantic UK

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic, +1 more

Sunday

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK, +1 more

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Cape Town Intl to London

Monday

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK, +1 more

Tuesday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic,Norse Atlantic UK

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic, +1 more

Wednesday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Thursday

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK, +1 more

Friday

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Norse Atlantic UK, +1 more

Saturday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic

Sunday

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic,Norse Atlantic UK

British Airways,Virgin Atlantic, +1 more

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from London to Cape Town

Complete your trip to Cape Town with a hotel stay or car hire

Car hire in Cape Town
Hotels in Cape Town