Flights from New York to Cape Town
Flights from New York to Cape Town take about 16h nonstop, and the two cities are about 12,560 km apart. Compare live prices for your dates below.
Cheapest recent fare
$1,094
Round trip · 8 Nov – 14 Nov · 1 stop
Search these datesFound in the last few days, per person, economy. The provider confirms the final price.
- Approx. flying time
- About 16h
- Best time to visit Cape Town
- November to March (summer)
Flight tip: Wind can close the Table Mountain cable car; keep a flexible day in your plan. Read our Cape Town guide
New York to Cape Town flights: quick answers
How long is the flight from New York to Cape Town?
It’s about 16h nonstop. That’s a rough guide worked out from the 12,560 km between JFK and CPT; scheduled times vary by airline and direction, because winds can make one way slower, and a flight with a connection takes longer.
How long is the flight back from Cape Town to New York?
About the same time in the air, roughly 16h, because the distance is the same. High-altitude winds usually make one direction faster than the other, so check the scheduled times in your search results.
How far is Cape Town from New York?
About 12,560 km (7,800 miles) between JFK and CPT, in a straight line. The path a plane flies is usually a little longer.
What is the time difference between New York and Cape Town?
Cape Town is 7 hours ahead of New York right now; at other times of year it’s 6 hours ahead, because of daylight saving time.
Which airports can I fly from in New York?
JFK and Newark handle most international flights; LaGuardia is mainly for flights within the US and to Canada.
Which airport do I fly into in Cape Town?
Cape Town Intl (CPT) is Cape Town’s main airport. Other airports and when to go: our Cape Town guide
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
November to March (summer).
What are my rights if my New York to Cape Town flight is cancelled?
Under US Department of Transportation rules, if the airline cancels your flight or changes it significantly and you choose not to travel, you’re entitled to a refund, even on a non-refundable ticket. On international trips, leaving 6 hours or more earlier, or arriving 6 hours or more later, than scheduled counts as a significant change. US Department of Transportation: Refunds (opens in a new tab)
What do I need to enter the country when I fly to Cape Town?
Travelling on a US passport? The State Department’s country pages at travel.state.gov list the entry requirements for US citizens. Rules change, so check them again shortly before you travel.
Before you fly
Cheapest month to fly from New York
Lowest round-trip fare per person found recently for departures in each month, from New York. Months with no recent fare aren’t shown.
Plan the rest of your trip to Cape Town
Our partners for the rest of the journey. You book and pay with them directly.
- Places to stayCompare hotels and apartments for your dates.Find hotelswith our sister company, Wicket Travel Holidays (opens in a new tab)
- Car hireCompare rental cars from the airport or the city.Compare carswith our sister company, Wicket Travel Holidays (opens in a new tab)
- Airport transferBook a fixed-price ride from the airport to your hotel.Book a transferwith Kiwitaxi (opens in a new tab)
- Mobile dataGet an eSIM before you fly and land connected.Get an eSIMwith Airalo (opens in a new tab)
- Tickets & attractionsSkip-the-line tickets for museums and sights.See attractionswith Tiqets (opens in a new tab)