Flying from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport (CPT): What you need to know
When looking for your flight from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport (CPT), there's a good range of airports you can fly out of. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are Washington DC's main terminals.
Cape Town is six hours ahead of Washington DC. Cape Town International Airport is located in Cape Town, which is in the UTC+2 timezone.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your flight from Washington DC to CPT. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're jetting off during high season, so allow a little extra breathing room. The recommendation for peak periods? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
You might be able to make your cheap flight from Washington DC to CPT even cheaper with a stopover. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search to find out where you can stop along the way. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is an option when flying out of Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA).
The journey from central Washington DC to DCA takes around 45 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a cab, you'll cover the 8 kms (5 miles) in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Booked an early flight from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport? Avoid the mad dash to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by picking one of these stays close to Ronald Reagan National Airport:
When it comes to Ronald Reagan National Airport's on-time performance, 76.44% of flights complete their journey on time.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Prefer to leave from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? Direct Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) plane tickets can be booked from here.
From IAD, direct flights from Washington DC to CPT are available with United Airlines.
United Airlines is the top choice for passengers flying from IAD to CPT.
With 65.22% of services landing as planned, United Airlines is the top on-time carrier flying between Washington Dulles International Airport and Cape Town International Airport.
Split up your flight from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport with a stop so you can recharge or tick another place off your list. Popular stopovers between Washington Dulles International Airport and CPT are:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
With public transport, you can travel from central Washington DC to IAD in around 1 hour 10 minutes. The terminal is roughly 56 kms (35 miles) away, and making the trip by car will take approximately 50 minutes.
Got an early start? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your Washington DC to CPT flight:
Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time performance of 74.39%. This figure shows how frequently flights that leave from this airport land on schedule.
The street address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Whether just for an hour or two or several days, a stopover can make your whole trip feel a little more manageable. When flying out of Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), you can book a plane ticket from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) with a stop at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
From the centre of Washington DC, BWI is around 48 kms (30 miles) away. It takes roughly 50 minutes to reach the airport by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so if you use public transport.
Relax in bed for a little longer and still make your Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport flight without having to rush. These hotels near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport make it a breeze to get to the terminal if you're jetting off early:
The on-time performance rate of BWI is 77.13%. In other words, that's how often flights departing this airport arrive within the expected time frame.
About Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
If you have a late flight from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near CPT:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Cape Town International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Europcar, Carwiz or First - Car Hire and experience the lesser-explored corners of Cape Town and beyond.
Booking your vehicle around one week ahead of your Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport flight can help you get the lowest rate.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
At the moment, £456 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is £679. Keep in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from Washington DC to CPT, book ahead. Airlines usually offer the most competitive fares when flights are first released.
Cheap Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport tickets are easier to find when your travel dates are flexible. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to compare fares across the month and then pick the cheapest day.
Be the first to know about deals for plane tickets from Washington DC to CPT by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Filters make it easier to save some cash on your flight from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport. Pick the airlines, flight times and stops that line up with your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to zero in on the cheapest fare fast.
The best time to fly from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
April is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport (CPT), while June is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to visit Cape Town based on whether you like a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in Cape Town is February, with temperatures ranging between 16ºC (61ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Book your Washington DC to CPT plane ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
For cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport in July when temperatures are between 9ºC (48ºF) and 19ºC (66ºF).
More about Cape Town
Start your Cape Town trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Washington DC to Cape Town International Airport, explore our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Table Mountain, Cecilia, Table Mountain and The Rock are major attractions which should be on every Cape Town itinerary.
Explore more of South Africa
Saldanha is just one of the many cities in South Africa waiting to be discovered once you've seen the sights of Cape Town. Around 121 kms (75 miles) away to the north-west, well-known attractions include North Head Lighthouse, Saldanha Bay Harbour and NG Kerk Saldanha.
Ceres is another essential stop in South Africa and is around 97 kms (60 miles) north-east of Cape Town. No trip is complete without experiencing Ceres Mountain Fynbos Nature Reserve, Ceres Mosque and Ceres Sportgronde.