Arriving at Cape Town International Airport is pretty straightforward, and getting to your hotel doesn’t need to be complicated.

For most visitors, Uber is probably the easiest option. Uber operates from the airport and is widely used in Cape Town. The official airport taxis are also safe and licensed, so there’s no need to worry about using one. Pre-arranged hotel or private transfers are another good option.

If you’re staying around the V&A Waterfront, City Bowl or central Cape Town, the journey is normally fairly simple.

Hiring a Car?

If you’re collecting a rental car at the airport, my advice is simple: take the N2 directly into Cape Town.

Your sat nav may occasionally suggest leaving the main route and taking smaller roads through township areas because it thinks it can save you a few minutes. Don’t bother. Stay on the N2 and follow the main route into the city.

You’re on holiday. There’s no rush.

The N2 is the obvious route from the airport towards central Cape Town, and it’s the route I would use.

Cape Town Traffic

One thing that can surprise first-time visitors is the morning traffic.

If your flight arrives during the morning rush hour, the N2 heading towards Cape Town can be absolutely packed. Don’t worry about it. You’re not going anywhere particularly quickly, so sit back and accept that you’ve arrived in a busy city.

And there is a pretty good consolation.

As you get closer to Cape Town, Table Mountain starts appearing in front of you.

For many visitors, it’s their first proper view of the mountain. After a long flight, sitting in Cape Town traffic suddenly doesn’t seem quite so bad.

You’ve arrived.

Welcome to Cape Town.