SFO - CPT

C$ 1,759 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Cape Town – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
C$ 1,818
Typical prices: C$ 2,011-C$ 2,921
Turkish Airlines
Thu 8/2Thu 15/2
SFO - CPT • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way flights
C$ 1,759
Typical prices: C$ 1,277-C$ 1,912
Multiple Airlines
Tue 11/12
SFO - CPT • 2 stops
Direct flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between San Francisco and Cape Town. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
When to book
13 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 13 weeks in advance save around 17% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
April
Cheapest • 28% price drop
April
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Istanbul (IST)
Cheapest • Avg C$ 2,195 (round-trip)
Newark (EWR)
Shortest trip • 23h 13m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Cape Town!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Cape Town (SFO-CPT)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Francisco to Cape Town

Mon, 8 Feb - Mon, 15 Feb
Turkish Airlines Logo
6:35 p.m. - 12:05 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
31h 30m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
5:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
33h 15m1 stop Istanbul
C$ 1,818Turkish Airlines
3+ days ago
Mon, 8 Feb - Thu, 11 Feb
Turkish Airlines Logo
6:35 p.m. - 12:05 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
31h 30m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
5:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
33h 15m1 stop Istanbul
C$ 1,888Turkish Airlines
3+ days ago
Mon, 8 Feb - Thu, 11 Feb
Turkish Airlines Logo
6:35 p.m. - 12:05 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
31h 30m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
5:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
33h 15m1 stop Istanbul
C$ 1,916Turkish Airlines
3+ days ago
Mon, 1 Feb - Mon, 8 Feb
Singapore Airlines Logo
9:40 a.m. - 9:25 a.m.SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
37h 45m2 stops Singapore Changi Johannesburg OR Tambo
Singapore Airlines Logo
10:40 a.m. - 7:50 a.m.CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
31h 10m2 stops Johannesburg OR Tambo Singapore Changi
C$ 2,131Singapore Airlines
19 hours ago
Mon, 29 Mar - Mon, 12 Apr
Turkish Airlines Logo
6:50 p.m. - 11:50 a.m.SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
32h 00m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
2:00 p.m. - 4:55 p.m.CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
35h 55m2 stops Johannesburg OR Tambo Istanbul
C$ 2,200Turkish Airlines
3+ days ago
Sun, 31 Jan - Fri, 5 Feb
Emirates Logo
3:40 p.m. - 11:35 a.m.SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
33h 55m1 stop Dubai Intl
Emirates Logo
1:40 p.m. - 1:35 p.m.CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
33h 55m1 stop Dubai Intl
C$ 2,228Emirates
19 hours ago
Sun, 15 Nov - Wed, 2 Dec
Turkish Airlines Logo
6:35 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
42h 25m1 stop Istanbul
Turkish Airlines Logo
5:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
33h 15m1 stop Istanbul
C$ 2,241Turkish Airlines
3+ days ago
Sat, 21 Nov - Fri, 4 Dec
Delta Logo
9:42 p.m. - 6:35 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
34h 53m1 stop Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
Delta Logo
12:30 a.m. - 9:05 a.m.CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
42h 35m2 stops Amsterdam Schiphol Austin Bergstrom
C$ 2,273Delta
2 hours ago
Mon, 8 Feb - Thu, 11 Feb
Singapore Airlines Logo
9:40 a.m. - 9:25 a.m.SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
37h 45m2 stops Singapore Changi Johannesburg OR Tambo
Singapore Airlines Logo
10:40 a.m. - 7:50 a.m.CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
31h 10m2 stops Johannesburg OR Tambo Singapore Changi
C$ 2,285Singapore Airlines
3+ days ago
Fri, 29 Jan - Wed, 3 Feb
Emirates Logo
3:40 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.SFO  San Francisco-CPT Cape Town Intl
40h 20m1 stop Dubai Intl
Emirates Logo
8:00 p.m. - 1:35 p.m.CPT  Cape Town Intl-SFO San Francisco
27h 35m1 stop Dubai Intl
C$ 2,298Emirates
19 hours ago
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for San Francisco to Cape Town flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Cape Town?

Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Cape Town typically range from C$ 2,011 to C$ 2,921. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was C$ 1,818, on Turkish Airlines.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Cape Town?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Cape Town. It's 19% cheaper than the average day, while Friday is the most expensive, with prices 14% higher.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Cape Town?

•April is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Cape Town at C$ 1,713 round-trip.
•June (C$ 2,972) and July (C$ 2,945) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 73% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from San Francisco to Cape Town the cheapest?

Flights from San Francisco to Cape Town are cheapest 13 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 17% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Find deals

Key details for San Francisco to Cape Town flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

C$ 1,759
Beat the crowds with an average 42% drop in traveller numbers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 42% increase in traveller numbers.
One-way flight from San Francisco to Cape Town

When to book flights from San Francisco to Cape Town

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco to Cape Town based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your San Francisco to Cape Town flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking tips.

  • How long does a flight from San Francisco to Cape Town take?

    A direct flight from San Francisco to Cape Town takes 00m, covering 26,533 km.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from San Francisco to Cape Town?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a San Francisco to Cape Town flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Cape Town range from C$ 2,011 to C$ 2,921, with an average of C$ 2,389 over the past 12 months. Anything below C$ 2,011 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute San Francisco to Cape Town flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) are 5% below the route average of C$ 2,389. Booking late can sometimes save you money, but availability is limited.

  • How are flight prices from San Francisco to Cape Town looking right now?

    One-way fares from San Francisco to Cape Town are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about C$ 5,486, which is 273% above the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Cape Town Intl Airport (CPT)?

    Cape Town Intl Airport (CPT) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging C$ 38 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Sixt
    • Europcar
    • Woodford
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Hertz

  • Which airports can I use when flying from San Francisco to Cape Town?

    Flights from San Francisco to Cape Town usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Cape Town Intl (CPT).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from San Francisco to Cape Town pass through?

    One-stop flights from San Francisco to Cape Town most commonly connect through:

    • London Heathrow (LHR) – 31% of one-stop connections
    • Istanbul (IST) – 25% of one-stop connections
    • Dubai Intl (DXB) – 13% of one-stop connections
    • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) – 11% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Francisco to Cape Town?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 29% on flights from San Francisco to Cape Town. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at C$ 1,958 round-trip on average, while Friday is the most expensive at C$ 2,736, a difference of C$ 778.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to three days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport when travelling from San Francisco to Cape Town?

    Flying via Newark (EWR) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 23h 13m, compared with 23h 32m via Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl (IAD) and 23h 46m via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL).

  • What is the time difference between San Francisco and Cape Town?

    Cape Town is 9 hours ahead of San Francisco (South Africa Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • Which popular places can I visit in Cape Town?

    Some of the most popular sights in Cape Town are Camps Bay Beach, Boulders Beach, and Bloubergstrand Beach. These are among the most viewed places in Cape Town on KAYAK.

  • Is it necessary for me to obtain a visa before my flight from San Francisco to Cape Town?

    For those travelers that are taking a vacation in Cape Town, there is no need to get a visa to travel to this country so long as you're not going to stay there for more than 90 days. Do you check to make sure that your passport is valid for at least 30 days beyond your date of arrival in South Africa.

  • What are some good transportation choices to get from the Cape Town International Airport (CPT) into Cape Town?

    There is a bus Line A01 operated by My Citi that can take you from the airport to the downtown area in about 30 minutes. If you prefer to travel by taxi, you should expect to travel for about 17min.

  • Does the Cape Town International Airport offer any shower facilities to help get cleaned up after a long flight from San Francisco?

    There are showers available in the Bidvest Lounge location that you will find on the third level of the International Terminal on the Airside.

  • What type of hotel choices are available at the Cape Town International Airport they have a location close to the terminal buildings?

    There are two hotels that have a location either right at the airport or just a short walk from the terminal buildings. The Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport sits right on the airport grounds and is a short walk from the terminal buildings. The Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport is about 1300 feet from the terminal and when passengers want to get to this hotel without walking, there is a free airport shuttle.

Your guide to booking San Francisco to Cape Town flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure and avoid flying on Friday. On this route, Tuesday flights average C$ 1,958, about C$ 778 less than Friday fares (28% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 13 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 17% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to Cape Town trip for April. Fares historically average C$ 1,713 round-trip in that month – typically C$ 1,259 less than the most expensive month, which is June (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Cape Town Intl Airport.

    • Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport
  • One of the most convenient ways to get from the downtown San Francisco area to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) before a flight that does not involve driving your car is to take the Yellow or Red Line BART train that makes the trip from Civic Center in downtown San Francisco to the airport in around 30min.
  • If someone plans on dropping you off at San Francisco International Airport before a flight, a very convenient option is to do so at the Kiss and Fly drop-off point that sits right at the rental car center adjacent to the airport property. Once drivers and passengers have said get their goodbyes, travelers can ride aboard the Blue Line AirTrain to all of the terminal buildings at the airport.
  • Passengers that plan on driving their own car to the San Francisco International Airport should consider booking their parking online with ParkRight@SFO. Some of the advantages of using the service are that you can book your parking up to you 2 hours before your arrival time, you can choose any parking area on the airport property, plus you get sent a QR code that means contactless entry and exit from the parking lots.
  • If you plan on taking a service animal for a pet with you from the San Francisco International Airport, it is good to know that this airport offers seven different pet relief areas with two outdoor locations marked with painted paw prints to show travelers where these pet relief areas sit.
  • If you are going to ride your bicycle to the San Francisco International Airport before a flight, you can do so for up to 14 days. Passengers will find bike lock-up locations outside the International Terminal, the Westfield Garage, the Rental Car Center, and at the valet parking location in the Domestic Garage on Level Four.

More options for your flight from San Francisco to Cape Town

Complete your trip to Cape Town with a hotel stay or car rental

Car rentals in Cape Town
Hotels in Cape Town
Vacations in Cape Town