SFO - CPT

R11 755 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Cape Town – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
R20 152
Typical prices: R23 674-R34 381
Kenya Airways
Fri 2/11Fri 9/11
SFO - CPT • 2 stops
Cheapest one-way flight
R11 755
Typical prices: R15 038-R22 509
Multiple Airlines
Wed 14/2
SFO - CPT • 2 stops
Direct flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between San Francisco and Cape Town. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
When to book
13 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 13 weeks in advance save around 17% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
April
Cheapest • 28% price drop
April
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Istanbul (IST)
Cheapest • Avg R25 841 (return)
Newark (EWR)
Shortest trip • 23h 13m (one-way)
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Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Cape Town!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Cape Town (SFO-CPT)

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

Recent return flight deals from San Francisco to Cape Town

Mon, Nov 2 - Mon, Nov 9
Kenya Airways Logo
22:55 - 22:05SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
37h 10m2 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl
Kenya Airways Logo
14:25 - 12:39CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
32h 14m3 stops Victoria Falls Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
R20 152Kenya Airways
3+ days ago
Sun, Nov 1 - Tue, Nov 10
Multiple Airlines Logo
20:50 - 13:35SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
54h 45m3 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Victoria Falls
Multiple Airlines Logo
14:25 - 13:40CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
33h 15m3 stops Livingstone Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
R20 201Multiple Airlines
3+ days ago
Mon, Nov 23 - Tue, Dec 8
Kenya Airways Logo
21:35 - 22:05SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
38h 30m2 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl
Kenya Airways Logo
14:25 - 14:50CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
34h 25m3 stops Livingstone Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
R20 267Kenya Airways
3+ days ago
Tue, Nov 3 - Wed, Nov 11
Multiple Airlines Logo
20:55 - 13:35SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
54h 40m3 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Victoria Falls
Multiple Airlines Logo
23:25 - 13:40CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
48h 15m2 stops Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
R20 333Multiple Airlines
3+ days ago
Tue, Nov 17 - Tue, Dec 1
Kenya Airways Logo
22:25 - 13:35SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
53h 10m3 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Victoria Falls
Kenya Airways Logo
7:20 - 12:44CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
39h 24m2 stops Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
R20 399Kenya Airways
1 day ago
Mon, Nov 2 - Sun, Nov 15
Kenya Airways Logo
22:55 - 22:05SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
37h 10m2 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl
Kenya Airways Logo
14:25 - 9:30CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
53h 05m3 stops Livingstone Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
R20 432Kenya Airways
3+ days ago
Mon, Nov 2 - Sun, Nov 8
Multiple Airlines Logo
22:56 - 22:05SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
37h 09m2 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
14:25 - 9:30CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
53h 05m3 stops Livingstone Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
R20 498Multiple Airlines
3+ days ago
Mon, Nov 23 - Sun, Dec 6
Kenya Airways Logo
21:35 - 13:35SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
54h 00m3 stops New York John F Kennedy Intl Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl Livingstone
Kenya Airways Logo
14:25 - 10:04CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
53h 39m3 stops Livingstone Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Intl New York John F Kennedy Intl
R20 564Kenya Airways
3+ days ago
Mon, Nov 9 - Sun, Nov 22
Turkish Airlines Logo
18:35 - 12:05SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
31h 30m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
17:15 - 16:30CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
33h 15m1 stop Istanbul
R20 596Turkish Airlines
1 day ago
Thu, Feb 11 - Thu, Feb 25
Singapore Airlines Logo
9:40 - 9:25SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
37h 45m2 stops Singapore Changi Johannesburg OR Tambo
Singapore Airlines Logo
10:40 - 7:50CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
31h 10m2 stops Johannesburg OR Tambo Singapore Changi
R20 811Singapore Airlines
3+ days ago
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Cape Town?

Return flights from San Francisco to Cape Town typically range from R23 674 to R34 381. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was R20 152 on Kenya Airways.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Cape Town. It’s 19% cheaper than the average day, while Friday is the most expensive, with prices 14% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Cape Town?

•April is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Cape Town at R20 168 return.
•June (R34 986) and July (R34 673) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 73% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San Francisco to Cape Town the cheapest?

Flights from San Francisco to Cape Town are cheapest 13 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 17% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Find deals

Key details for San Francisco to Cape Town flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

R11 755
Beat the crowds with an average 42% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 42% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight from San Francisco to Cape Town

When to book flights from San Francisco to Cape Town

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Cape Town flight questions, answered

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

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

    Only Economy class is available on flights from San Francisco to Cape Town.

  • How long is a flight from San Francisco to Cape Town?

    A direct flight from San Francisco to Cape Town takes 00m, covering 26 533 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from San Francisco 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 San Francisco to Cape Town flight?

    Return flights from San Francisco to Cape Town range from R23 674 to R34 381, with an average of R28 122 over the past 12 months. Anything below R23 674 counts as a good deal.

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

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) are 5% below the route average of R28 122. Booking late can sometimes save you money, but availability is limited.

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

    One-way fares from San Francisco to Cape Town are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about R12 779, which is 27% 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 R49 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Sixt
    • Europcar
    • Woodford
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Hertz

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

    Flights from San Francisco to Cape Town usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Cape Town Intl (CPT).

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

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

    • London Heathrow (LHR) – 31% of one-stop connections
    • Istanbul (IST) – 25% of one-stop connections
    • Dubai Intl (DXB) – 13% of one-stop connections
    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) – 11% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 29% on flights from San Francisco to Cape Town. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at R23 050 return on average, while Friday is the most expensive at R32 204, a difference of R9 154.

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

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

    Flying via Newark (EWR) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 23h 13m, compared to 23h 32m via Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD) and 23h 46m via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL).

  • What is the time difference between San Francisco and Cape Town?

    Cape Town is 9 hours ahead of San Francisco (South Africa Time vs Pacific 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 Cape Town Stadium. These are among the most viewed places in Cape Town on KAYAK.

  • Is it necessary for me to obtain a visa before my flight from San Francisco to Cape Town?

    For those travelers that are taking a vacation in Cape Town, there is no need to get a visa to travel to this country so long as you're not going to stay there for more than 90 days. Do you check to make sure that your passport is valid for at least 30 days beyond your date of arrival in South Africa.

  • What are some good transportation choices to get from the Cape Town International Airport (CPT) into Cape Town?

    There is a bus Line A01 operated by My Citi that can take you from the airport to the downtown area in about 30 minutes. If you prefer to travel by taxi, you should expect to travel for about 17min.

  • Does the Cape Town International Airport offer any shower facilities to help get cleaned up after a long flight from San Francisco?

    There are showers available in the Bidvest Lounge location that you will find on the third level of the International Terminal on the Airside.

  • What type of hotel choices are available at the Cape Town International Airport they have a location close to the terminal buildings?

    There are two hotels that have a location either right at the airport or just a short walk from the terminal buildings. The Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport sits right on the airport grounds and is a short walk from the terminal buildings. The Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport is about 1300 feet from the terminal and when passengers want to get to this hotel without walking, there is a free airport shuttle.

Your guide to booking San Francisco 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 Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Friday. On this route, Tuesday flights average R23 050, about R9 154 less than Friday fares (28% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 13 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 17% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to Cape Town trip for April. Fares historically average R20 168 return in that month – typically R14 818 less than the most expensive month, which is June (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
  • One of the most convenient ways to get from the downtown San Francisco area to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) before a flight that does not involve driving your car is to take the Yellow or Red Line BART train that makes the trip from Civic Center in downtown San Francisco to the airport in around 30min.
  • If someone plans on dropping you off at San Francisco International Airport before a flight, a very convenient option is to do so at the Kiss and Fly drop-off point that sits right at the rental car center adjacent to the airport property. Once drivers and passengers have said get their goodbyes, travelers can ride aboard the Blue Line AirTrain to all of the terminal buildings at the airport.
  • Passengers that plan on driving their own car to the San Francisco International Airport should consider booking their parking online with ParkRight@SFO. Some of the advantages of using the service are that you can book your parking up to you 2 hours before your arrival time, you can choose any parking area on the airport property, plus you get sent a QR code that means contactless entry and exit from the parking lots.
  • If you plan on taking a service animal for a pet with you from the San Francisco International Airport, it is good to know that this airport offers seven different pet relief areas with two outdoor locations marked with painted paw prints to show travelers where these pet relief areas sit.
  • If you are going to ride your bicycle to the San Francisco International Airport before a flight, you can do so for up to 14 days. Passengers will find bike lock-up locations outside the International Terminal, the Westfield Garage, the Rental Car Center, and at the valet parking location in the Domestic Garage on Level Four.

More options for your flight from San Francisco 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