Flying from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport (CPT): What you need to know
The timezone in Cape Town is UTC+2, which is eight hours ahead of Chicago. Cape Town International Airport is located in Cape Town.
Your flight from Chicago to CPT won't wait if you're late, so be at the airport on time. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international travel.
If you're travelling during a popular month like July, make your way to the airport even earlier. It's wise to arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of a domestic departure. Expect lines to be longer during high seasons like Thanksgiving and spring break.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to take a travel break and maybe even explore another city. When browsing cheap flights from Chicago to CPT leaving from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to find all potential stops. Popular options include:
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Munich Franz Joseph Strauss Airport (MUC)
Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD)
ORD is about 27 kilometres from central Chicago. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the travel time to be around 45 minutes.
Want a relaxed start to your break? Stay near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport or aren't a fan of being rushed, these hotels are the ideal choice:
70% of flights that depart Chicago O'Hare International Airport land at their destination on schedule.
The address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Work a stopover into your journey at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). It's a popular transfer point for flights from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) departing Chicago Midway International Airport.
You can reach MDW from the centre of Chicago in approximately 25 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 30 minutes to cover the 16 kilometres or so.
Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your Chicago to CPT flight, unwind in one of these hotels close to Chicago Midway International Airport:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 76%. This figure provides insight into how frequently flights that leave from this airport make it to their destination on time.
The address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
From central Chicago, RFD is around 145 kilometres away. It takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to get to the airport by car and 2 hours or so on public transport.
Sleep a little longer and still make your Chicago to Cape Town International Airport flight with plenty of time to spare. These accommodation options near Chicago Rockford International Airport make departure day a breeze if you're flying out early:
Flights that depart from RFD arrive at their final stop as scheduled 71% of the time.
You'll find Chicago Rockford International Airport at 2 Airport Cir.
About Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport. Stay at one of these accommodation options near CPT instead:
Booking your ride around one week ahead of your Chicago to Cape Town International Airport flight can help you get a cheaper deal.
Getting from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to central Cape Town
Central Cape Town is around 19 kilometres from Cape Town International Airport and takes about 25 minutes to reach by car. See what your options are for making the trip into the city, whether that's with a taxi, car hire or ride-share.
It typically takes 35 minutes when travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport is $929. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $1,160. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares can change.
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Chicago to CPT if you book in advance. Airlines often offer some great early bird discounts.
If you have some flexibility with your travel plans, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the lowest price across the month when searching for your Chicago to Cape Town International Airport ticket.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from Chicago to CPT couldn't be easier with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when a better deal is available.
Find an affordable flight from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport by using filters. Select your ideal duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Picture the kind of break you want when deciding your trip dates. December is the quietest month to go to Cape Town. January is when most people book flights from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport (CPT), which may be perfect if you'd rather travel when it's busy.
When booking your Chicago to CPT plane ticket, consider what kind of weather works for you. February is the warmest month in Cape Town, with temperatures ranging from 13ºC (55ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport in July if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 6ºC (43ºF) and 18ºC (64ºF).
More about Cape Town
Start your Cape Town trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Chicago to Cape Town International Airport, browse our range of hotels including:
Your Cape Town visit wouldn't be complete without a bit of sightseeing. Major attractions that belong on your itinerary include Table Mountain, The Rock and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden.
Explore more of South Africa
Cape Town has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of South Africa just waiting to be explored. About 121 kilometres northwest of Cape Town, a trip to Saldanha will keep your itinerary busy. Start with leading sights like North Head Lighthouse, Hoedjieskop Museum and Pietskiet Museum.
Next stop? Journey to Ceres. It's roughly 97 kilometres northeast of Cape Town and features highlights including Ceres Mountain Fynbos Nature Reserve and Togryers Museum.
