Flying from Dubai Airport (DXB) to Cape Town Airport (CPT): what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 9 hours 40 minutes.
Cape Town is two hours behind Dubai and follows the UTC+2 timezone.
You can choose from 19 weekly Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport flights. The 03:50 departure with Emirates is the earliest you can take. Emirates operates the last service of the day at 09:10.
To ensure you catch your DXB to CPT flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Travelling during a peak month such as December? School holidays and other popular seasons can lead to longer queues at airport checkpoints. Be extra cautious and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Emirates offers direct flights from Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to see the sights in Cape Town — and maybe even more of South Africa if time allows.
The airline with the highest number of bookings on this route is Emirates.
With 78.69% of its services landing on schedule, Emirates is the most punctual carrier operating DXB to CPT flights.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or even explore someplace new along the way. Check out these options between DXB and CPT:
Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport
Addis Ababa Airport
Durban King Shaka International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Dubai Airport (DXB) to Cape Town Airport (CPT)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport flight is $812. A round-trip ticket right now is $1,261. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
Get cheap tickets from DXB to CPT by booking at least eight months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
The cheapest month for flights from Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport is January. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have a flexible schedule.
Snapping up cheap flights from DXB to CPT is a cinch with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as fares go down.
Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals on flights from Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport.
Handy information about Dubai Airport (DXB)
71% of flights taking off from Dubai Airport land at their destination on schedule.
Dubai Airport is about 14 kilometres from central Dubai. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
Expect a journey time of roughly 35 minutes when using public transport.
Looking for a convenient hotel near DXB? If you're boarding an early flight from Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure gate:
Arriving at Cape Town Airport (CPT)
Reserve a hotel close to CPT if you're on a late Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport flight. Select one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer after landing:
Grab a Cape Town Airport rental car and discover Cape Town and beyond with your own set of wheels. Europcar, Carwiz and First - Car Rental are top providers to choose from here.
To lock in the lowest price, book your vehicle from Cape Town Airport about one week in advance.
Getting from Cape Town Airport (CPT) to central Cape Town
Cape Town Airport to central Cape Town has a drive time of around 25 minutes. It's approximately 19 kilometres away.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of roughly 35 minutes.
When to fly to Cape Town Airport (CPT)
It's time to plan your dates for your flight from Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport. November is the busiest month to visit Cape Town. If you want a quieter vibe, go in March.
The warmest month in Cape Town is February, with temperatures ranging between 13ºC and 30ºC. Book your flights from Dubai Airport to Cape Town Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap tickets from DXB to CPT in July if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 6ºC and 18ºC on average.
Explore more of South Africa
Cape Town is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of South Africa just waiting to be explored. Around 56 kilometres north-east of Cape Town, a trip to Paarl will keep your itinerary busy. Don't miss top attractions like Zandwijk Wines, Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve and Landskroon Wines.
Worcester is another well-known destination in South Africa and is around 97 kilometres east of Cape Town. No journey is complete without visiting Karoo Desert Garden, Kleinplasie Living Open Air Museum and Beck House Museum.