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Flights from Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Flying from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town?

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The route between Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) is about 400 air miles, the duration of which is a comfy 1 hour and 25 minutes. We offer a variety of airlines, which vary from budget-friendly options to more luxury travel.

To make life as easy as possible for you while you book your flights, we offer fantastic ways to pay, including popular Buy Now Pay Later options like Payflex, PayJustNow and Happy Pay. Spread the cost with your favourite trusted partner and pay using South African Rand.

Cape Town, South Africa

Port Elizabeth to Cape Town at a glance

  • Flight time - Around 1 hour 25 mins
  • Distance - Around 400 air miles
  • Departure airport - Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ)
  • Arrival airport - Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
  • Airlines - FlySafair and Airlink
  • Direct flights - Yes, around 28 per week
  • Most popular days to fly - Friday and Sunday
  • Most popular month to fly - June

Airlines with flights from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town

Two airlines fly this route directly. These are FlySafair and Airlink.

FlySafair is a low-cost domestic carrier which aims to connect South African cities with ease. They offer consistent schedules across the country, including connecting passengers between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

Airlink, on the other hand, is a premium full-service airline. They are a popular South African airline for both domestic travel and connections across wider Africa. They offer a few flights a week between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

View out of plane window

How do I find cheap flights from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town?

We have made finding your perfect flight as easy as possible. Cape Town is a great destination with tons to do, but the key to cheaper flights is to book in advance.

According to our data, 30% of flight searches for this route are made within 3 days of departure. These last-minute bookings are likely paying over the odds for a seat which would have been cheaper a few weeks prior. We recommend booking around 7 weeks before your flights in order to fully optimise the price of your booking.

If you avoid peak seasons, this will also aid the price of your ticket. June is the most popular month for this route, so if you plan your trip during a quieter season, you can save.

If you need to travel but you are worried about the cost, check out our fly now, pay later options. When you check out, you can spread the cost of your payments into manageable instalments that suit your schedule.

Looking for more advice? Check out our Best Fare Finder.

Departure and arrival airports

Departure

Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) is the primary airport for Port Elizabeth. Its primary connection is to Johannesburg, but it has a wide variety of routes to other South African cities and beyond.

Arrival

Cape Town International (CPT) is a major South African hub, receiving and departing connecting flights to a range of destinations domestically and internationally.

Fly to Cape Town now, pay later

Book today, pay your way! Alternative Airlines is determined to make booking flights as stress-free as possible. A big help is being able to split the cost of your flights over a period that suits you, using one of South Africa's favourite ways to pay, such as our favourite BNPL options:

Payflex - Split your payment into 2, 3 or 4 interest-free instalments.

PayJustNow - Spread the cost of your flight over 3 interest-free instalments.

Happy Pay - Split the cost of your flight over 2 months or in 3 bi-weekly payments. Both are interest-free.

Eligibility criteria apply.

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Frequently asked questions

How much is a flight from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town?

Your flight price can change depending on a few key factors: The airline you choose, the season, and the day you choose to fly.

Looking to optimise your flight? Use our easy flight search, and you can compare hundreds of flights easily and quickly.

How long is the flight from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town?

The travel time between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town is approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes

How many kilometres are there from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town?

As the crow flies, it's roughly 647 km between Port Elizabeth (PLZ) and Cape Town (CPT) airports.

Is Port Elizabeth Airport the same as Gqeberha Airport?

Yes, they're the same airport. The city of Port Elizabeth in South Africa's Eastern Cape was officially renamed Gqeberha in 2021, and around the same time, the airport was renamed Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, after a 19th-century Khoi leader.

Last updated: September 2026