Flights from Cape Town to London, United Kingdom

One of the world’s most visited cities with iconic landmarks, world-class theater, sweeping green parks along with food and drink to suit everyone, London is always moving. Instantly recognizable buildings such as The Tower of London, The Shard and Buckingham Palace are not the only desirable attractions – neighborhoods with entirely different characteristics are also worth a visit. The pastel terraced houses of Primrose Hill, the buzz of Portobello Road, Hampton Court Palace and Camden Market are all able to take the visitor slightly off the tourist trail to discover another layer of this beautiful city.

Flying to London

1. Which airports serve Cape Town to London?

Cape Town International Airport has one daily non-stop service operated by British Airways to London Heathrow. There are other options for flights to Heathrow and Gatwick with stopovers in different cities. Cape Town Airport is approximately 12 miles from the city center, and Heathrow is only 15 miles from London. Both have good rail, car and bus links.

2. Which airlines operate flights from Cape Town to London?

British Airways provides all the non-stop flights between Cape Town and London. Other airlines offer flights with stopovers, including Ethiopian, Emirates, Lufthansa and KLM. The most popular connecting city on this route is Frankfurt.

3. How long is the flight?

A direct flight from Cape Town to London is around 12 hours non-stop. With one stopover, the time can rise to 19 hours, but this depends on the carrier, the connections and where the stopover is. Passengers flying via Dubai can have a layover of just over two hours.

4. Climate changes between Cape Town and London

When passengers travel from Cape Town to London in the winter, they will be leaving Cape Town’s hottest months and arriving in London in the depths of the United Kingdom’s coldest. In Cape Town, the average temperature in February is 73°F, while in London in January, it is 41°F. In July, the average temperature is 66°F in London, and in Cape Town in June, it is 55°F.

5. Culture differences and need-to-know

London is one hour behind Cape Town, so consider this when booking flights. The currency in South Africa is the rand, and in the UK, it is the pound sterling. When flying to London, it is important to check the requirements to enter the UK, which will depend upon the traveler’s place of origin rather than where he or she flew in from.

London Information

A port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, Cape Town sits on a peninsula beneath Table Mountain, which has slowly rotating cable cars that climb up to its flat top. From there, the visitor can enjoy sweeping views of the city, harbor and boats. London also has a thriving waterfront along the River Thames, and there are tours, speed boats and water taxis to enjoy as well as the working cargo traffic that still plies its trade. Walk along the south bank past the London Eye and the National Theatre toward Borough Market for breathtaking views.