Johannesburg, South Africa → Cape Town, South Africa · ✈ 2h 5min · 🚗 20h 30min
681 nautical miles · Time difference: -1h behind · Direction: southwest
The distance from Johannesburg to Cape Town 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 Johannesburg, South Africa to Cape Town, 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.
Cape Town is located southwest of Johannesburg. Johannesburg is in Africa, in the Gauteng region of South Africa, while Cape Town is in Africa, in Western Cape, 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 Johannesburg to Cape Town. 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 Johannesburg to Cape Town 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.
Johannesburg sits at 26.2041°S, 28.0473°E, while Cape Town is located at 33.9249°S, 18.4241°E. The initial compass bearing from Johannesburg to Cape Town is 225° (SW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Johannesburg heading roughly SW. 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 Johannesburg and Cape Town 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.
Cape Town is roughly 1 hour behind Johannesburg. When it is 09:00 in Johannesburg, it is approximately 08:00 in Cape Town. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Johannesburg is a major city in South Africa with a population of approximately 5,635,127. Located in the Gauteng region, it is an important hub in Africa. As one of the largest cities in South Africa, Johannesburg is a major international gateway with extensive air connections and multiple airports.
→ See all distances from Johannesburg
Cape Town is a notable city in South Africa with a population of approximately 4,618,000. Situated in the Western Cape region, it serves as a key destination in Africa. Cape Town offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in South Africa.
→ See all distances from Cape Town
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 Johannesburg-Cape Town route is about 3.1% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 2h 5min.
Combined, Johannesburg and Cape Town have a population of over 10,253,127 people, making this a major urban corridor.
See how the Johannesburg to Cape Town distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Johannesburg to Cape Town 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.
Cape Town is approximately -1h behind compared to Johannesburg.
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.