Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Cape Town Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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Plenty of quiet areas with few overnight passengers as they don’t have late flights. – tcdragon
CPT Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Cape Town International Airport.
What to Expect
Cape Town Airport (Code: CPT) is a modern facility with a domestic and an international terminal linked by a central check-in terminal building. The facility uses the typical split-level design, with arrivals on the lower floors and departures on the upper. Dining, retail and service options are airside and landside throughout the airport. Most restaurants close by 9:00 PM, so grab food ahead of time. Things to do at Cape Town Airport are limited, but the free WiFi helps pass some time. Economy class travellers can buy a pass and relax in one of the airport lounges, which also offer showers.
Sleeping in Cape Town Airport
CPT airport has plenty of seating, but most chairs include armrests. The viewing deck, with rows of cushioned benches with no armrests, is reportedly open all night. While generally quiet at night, the lights stay on throughout the night, so consider eyeshade. Staff and security are usually thought to tolerate overnight sleepers, but there have been reports of rude personnel. For uninterrupted sleep, a hotel is located at the airport, and others are nearby. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Good to Know
The airport is open 24 hours, but security closes by 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM and reopens around 4:00 AM.
Read traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Cape Town Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
Cape Town International Airport operates 24 hours on the landside. Security checkpoint hours depend on flight schedules and typically close overnight:
- Domestic Terminal: approximately 11:00 PM – 4:00 AM
- International Terminal: approximately 12:00 AM – 4:00 AM
Travellers staying overnight on the airside are usually asked to move to the landside once security closes, and may return airside when screening reopens in the morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones, but informal areas with padded seats exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Cape Town Airport:
- Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport – Located within the airport grounds. They do not offer day rooms or an airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport – Located just 400m from T1. Free airport shuttle from the airport to the hotel is available from 4:00 AM – 00:00 PM. The shuttle departs every 30 minutes from Parkade 2 (P2). Day rooms are available from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Cape Town Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.
SLOW Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal, Airside, Domestic Departures. Hours: 4:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Mon –Fri) • 4:30 AM – 8:00 PM (Saturday ) • 4:30 AM – 8:30 PM (Sunday). Showers: Yes . Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Qualifying FNB Premier, FNB Private Clients, FNB Private Wealth, FNB Business Platinum, FNB Business Black and RMB Private Bank cardholders • Select Air France/KLM/Delta premium and SkyTeam Elite/Elite Plus passengers.
Airline Lounges
If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.
South African Airways (SAA) – Location: Airside, Domestic Departures, transit area on the 4th floor, adjacent to Premium Lounge. Hours: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Mon–Fri) • 5:30 AM – 9:00 PM (Sat – Sun). Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: Yes. Sleep Facilities: Yes (private suites available). Lounge Access: SAA Voyager Platinum and Lifetime Platinum members • qualifying SAA partners • Star Alliance First Class passengers on same-day SAA or Star Alliance flights.
Drinking Water
Free water refill points are reported airside. Landside access appears limited to bottled water sold by retailers (approximately ZAR 20 / USD 1).
Food & Drink
At the time of this update, it is unknown if any 24-hour food concessions are available. There are plenty of options available, both Landside and Airside.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Luggage storage is available in Terminal 1, landside, Level 0, near Parkade 2. Hours: 24 hours. Rates: approximately ZAR 60–100 (USD 3–5.50) per item, per day.
Mobile Charging
Free charging stations are available airside. Landside power outlets are limited and often in use. Bringing a travel adapter is recommended.
Showers
Showers are available inside select lounges. See Airport Lounges above.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Cape Town Airport for up to four hours or 1GB, whichever comes first. Connect to the “Airports Free” network. Registration requires an email address and contact number. Additional data or time can be purchased once the free allowance is used.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside in International Departures and landside in the International Arrivals baggage claim area. A variety of additional retail shops are located throughout the terminal.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – Baby-changing facilities are available in most women’s washrooms.
- Children’s Play Areas – A children’s play area is available for younger travellers.
Fitness -The nearby Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport offers a paid refresh package for non-guests, which may include access to showers, fitness facilities, and other amenities. [ see Airport Hotels above ]
Luggage
- Luggage Porters – Porters are available and work for tips. The airport recommends tipping per piece of luggage.
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
- Luggage Wrapping – A luggage-wrapping service is available for a fee to help protect bags during travel.
Information Desk – An airport information desk is available in the Domestic Arrivals area and operates 24 hours.
Mobile Phone Rental – Mobile phone rentals are available through a Vodafone service counter.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available throughout the terminal in both domestic and international areas. Fees may apply depending on your bank.
- Currency Exchange – Currency exchange kiosks are located in multiple domestic and international areas, both landside and airside.
Pharmacy – A pharmacy is available in the Central Terminal Building.
Prayer Room – A chapel/prayer room is available. Airport staff can assist with directions.
Salon Services – Several express salon and grooming services are available across the terminal, offering quick beauty and personal-care treatments.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smokers Lounge – A designated smokers lounge is available airside in the International Terminal.
Car Rentals
The following car rental companies have offices on-site: Avis • Bidvest Car Rental • Capital • Europcar • First • Hertz • Tempest • Thrifty • Woodford. Most of the offices are open 24 hours.
Hotel Shuttles
Some area hotels provide airport shuttle service or can make airport transportation arrangements on your behalf: Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport • New National Hotel & Conference.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Public Transportation
MyCiti Bus #A01 runs between the airport and the Civic Center on Hertzog Boulevard. Visit the MyCiti Web Site to plan your trip.
Ride Sharing
Uber operates throughout South Africa. A ride to the city centre will cost you about ZAR 180.
Shuttle Buses
Shuttle buses operate from the airport to Cape Town city centre and other destinations in the Western Cape. The shuttles depart from the international inner lane.
Taxis
As of our September 2023 update, Cape Town Airport has accredited taxis connecting the terminals to all nearby major towns and suburbs.
Last updated: 2026-01-13
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.