Star Alliance member TAP plans to start a bunch of new routes, despite the Covid-19 ravaged travel season. One of those new destinations is Cape Town in South Africa. Thanks to TAP’s new service, you can reach the city for just €350 (~DKK 2,613) with departure from Copenhagen. A checked bag up to 23 kg adds just €5 per flight! It is also possible to fly from Prague, starting at €395 (~CZK 9,598).
TAP has been selling tickets for flights to Cape Town since last year, but keeps postponing actually serving the route. Since the airline is infamous for its terrible refund policy, this deal comes with several added catches to the already existing pandemic uncertainty.
Worldwide travel restrictions are in place to slow the spread of Covid-19. We strongly recommend gathering detailed information about the travel and quarantine restrictions that apply to your desired origin and destination.
A good start is the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website. It provides current updates on a country’s immigration policies. Even better, the Covid-19 Travel Regulations Map is one of the most useful tools you can find.
There’s good availability from November onward (except the Christmas holidays). Be aware that TAP only flies to Cape Town on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while flying back on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
TAP’s Airbus A320 fleet will take you from Denmark to Portugal. A brand new Airbus A330-900 NEO operates the onward journey with a 2-4-2 seating pattern and 79 cm seat pitch in economy.
We expect further shakeups in the airline industry over the following months. Some services might be cancelled, aircraft changed or downgraded. The schedule we describe may very well change.
Search & Book
TAP has issued very open fare rules for these flights, as no sales or travel period applies. Minimum or maximum stay requirements are missing, as well. You may add a stopover in Lisbon for up to five days without seeing the price increase, as is usual with TAP fares. There’s good availability from November onward (except the Christmas holidays). Be aware that TAP only flies to Cape Town on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while flying back on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Google Flights will help you find suitable flight dates. You should then book directly on flytap.com and remember to pay the €5 surcharge for the basic fare which includes luggage. Our search tool above would redirect you to TAP’s booking site with the dates that you select.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Adding a Stopover in Lisbon or Porto
If you book directly on TAP’s website, a pop-up window will automatically open. Its user-friendly interface asks you if and how long you’d like to stay in Portugal. This is by far the easiest way to make the most out of a trip with TAP to any destination of your choice. A stopover in Porto can be added the same way. The best thing – the price of your flight remains the same!
Information & Tips for South Africa
South Africa offers a diverse range of attractions, from the iconic Table Mountain and Robben Island in Cape Town to the wildlife-rich Kruger National Park and the scenic Garden Route. The local currency is the South African rand (ZAR), and while credit cards are widely accepted, cash is still commonly used, especially in smaller towns. The cost of travel is generally affordable, with budget-friendly options available for accommodation, food, and activities. The weather varies by region: the coastal areas have mild, Mediterranean-like climates, while the inland areas can be hot and dry in summer and cooler in winter.
South Africa’s transport infrastructure is mixed in quality and convenience. Within cities, public transport is limited, with minibus taxis being common but often confusing for visitors; private cars or ride-hailing apps like Uber are more reliable. Between cities, domestic flights are the fastest option due to long distances, while intercity buses offer affordable travel, though journeys can be long. Trains exist, but are generally slow and not widely used for tourism.
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as Airalo and BNESIM. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for South Africa 🇿🇦 Compared
→ All Dealz for South Africa
Information & Tips for Cape Town
Cape Town, located at the tip of South Africa, is known for its stunning natural beauty, with top sights like Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront, and the nearby Cape of Good Hope. The local currency is the South African rand (ZAR), and while credit cards are commonly accepted in major areas, cash is still useful in smaller shops. Prices can be quite affordable compared to Western destinations, making it a budget-friendly choice for many travellers. The weather is Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers (December to February) and mild, wet winters (June to August), making spring and autumn the most pleasant times to visit.
We’ve compared various esim providers, such as Airalo and BNESIM. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for South Africa 🇿🇦 Compared
→ All Dealz for Cape Town
Cover Picture: © shotsstudio
Comment (1)
Would not recommend it. Booked flights to CPT exactly a year ago for flights in Nov.2020. Everything got canceled because TAP was not allowed to operate the flights. Not to mention the hassle of getting money back with TAP. Simply wait until they are actually serving this Destination and then book flights.