Cape Town, South Africa → Johannesburg, South Africa · ✈ 2h 5min · 🚗 20h 30min
681 nautical miles · Time difference: +1h ahead · Direction: northeast
The distance from Cape Town to Johannesburg is 1,262 km (784 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 2h 5min.
The straight-line distance from Cape Town, South Africa to Johannesburg, South Africa is approximately 1,262 kilometers (784 miles or 681 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Johannesburg is located northeast of Cape Town. Cape Town is in Africa, in the Western Cape region of South Africa, while Johannesburg is in Africa, in Gauteng, South Africa. Both cities are in Africa.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 1,262 km | ~2h 5min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~1,641 km | ~20h 30min | Long journey, consider stops |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~1,514 km | ~12h 37min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Cape Town to Johannesburg. For 1,262 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 1,641 km, fuel costs for driving from Cape Town to Johannesburg are approximately $131–$246 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Cape Town sits at 33.9249°S, 18.4241°E, while Johannesburg is located at 26.2041°S, 28.0473°E. The initial compass bearing from Cape Town to Johannesburg is 50° (NE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Cape Town heading roughly NE. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 7.72° and the longitude difference is 9.62°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Cape Town and Johannesburg is approximately 30.1521°S, 23.4241°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 631 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Johannesburg is roughly 1 hour ahead of Cape Town. When it is 09:00 in Cape Town, it is approximately 10:00 in Johannesburg. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Cape Town is a major city in South Africa with a population of approximately 4,618,000. Located in the Western Cape region, it is an important hub in Africa. Cape Town is a significant metropolitan area in South Africa with good domestic and international transport connections.
→ See all distances from Cape Town
Johannesburg is a notable city in South Africa with a population of approximately 5,635,127. Situated in the Gauteng region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Johannesburg is one of South Africa's largest cities, offering major airport hubs, extensive public transport, and a wide range of accommodation options.
→ See all distances from Johannesburg
1,262 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
At 1,262 km, the Cape Town-Johannesburg route is about 3.1% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 2h 5min.
Combined, Cape Town and Johannesburg have a population of over 10,253,127 people, making this a major urban corridor.
See how the Cape Town to Johannesburg distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Cape Town to Johannesburg is approximately 1,262 kilometers (784 miles, 681 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 2h 5min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 20h 30min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Johannesburg is approximately +1h ahead compared to Cape Town.
The estimated road distance is approximately 1,641 km, which is about 30% longer than the 1,262 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.