Happy Layover

The best time to visit Cape Town

Best weather Nov–MarPeak season Dec–Mar3h 30m behind India
Photo: Fcatarinella, CC BY 3.0

Cape Town is at its best from November to March.

It is busiest and priciest in December to March.

Expect the most rain in June to August.

Here is every month at a glance, the dates to plan around, and flights from five Indian cities.

Cape Town month by month

Average highs and lows, rain, the season and what's on, for the next twelve months.

MonthWeatherSeasonWhat's on
October 2026 23° / 12°mostly dry, 30 mm Shoulder
Dussehra
November 2026Best weather 25° / 14°dry, 21 mm Shoulder
Diwali
December 2026Best weather 26° / 16°dry, 22 mm Peak
Christmas and New Year
January 2027Best weather 28° / 17°dry, 13 mm Peak
Christmas and New YearRepublic Day weekend
February 2027Best weather 28° / 17°dry, 11 mm Peak
Summer: dry, sunny and 26-27°C, the peak season for beaches, the Winelands and Table...
March 2027Best weather 26° / 16°mostly dry, 30 mm Peak
HoliGood Friday weekend
April 2027 24° / 13°mostly dry, 35 mm Shoulder
Indian summer holidays
May 2027 21° / 11°some rain, 57 mm Off-season
Indian summer holidays
June 2027 18° / 9°rainy spells, 119 mm Off-season
Indian summer holidays
July 2027 17° / 8°rainy spells, 96 mm Off-season
Winter: cool (17-18°C days) and rainy; the Table Mountain cableway shuts on stormy days.
August 2027 17° / 8°some rain, 68 mm Off-season
Winter: cool (17-18°C days) and rainy; the Table Mountain cableway shuts on stormy days.
September 2027 19° / 9°mostly dry, 44 mm Shoulder
Whale season: southern right whales off Hermanus, roughly June to November (best in...

Dates to plan around

Festivals, holidays and closures in Cape Town, and the Indian holiday rushes that raise fares.

  • 20 OctDussehraDussehra falls on Tuesday 20 Oct: many take the Monday off for a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad cost more that week.
  • 6–10 NovDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 Nov): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips to Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore book up.
  • 19 Dec – 3 JanChristmas and New YearThe priciest fortnight of the year to fly out of India: school holidays, Christmas and New Year all at once. Book early or go just before or after.
  • 23–26 JanRepublic Day weekendRepublic Day falls on Tuesday 26 Jan: take the Monday off and it's a four-day weekend, so short trips abroad book up.
  • 22–23 MarHoliHoli (22-23 Mar) and Good Friday (26 Mar) fall in the same week, a favourite week for short trips abroad, so fares rise.
  • 26–28 MarGood Friday weekendGood Friday (26 Mar) makes a long weekend in India, just after Holi.
  • 15 Apr – 15 Jun · expectedIndian summer holidaysSchool holidays (roughly mid-April to mid-June, varying by state): outbound family travel peaks and fares climb, especially to the Gulf, Southeast Asia and Europe.
  • 27–31 OctDiwaliDiwali (Lakshmi Puja on Friday 29 Oct): the busiest travel week of the autumn. Fares out of India rise, and short trips abroad book up.

Flights to Cape Town from India

The cheapest fare our scanner has seen from each city in the last two weeks. Open a route to price every month live.

Good to know

When is the best time to visit Cape Town?

The best weather in Cape Town is from November to March. Summer: dry, sunny and 26-27°C, the peak season for beaches, the Winelands and Table Mountain. The southeasterly 'Cape Doctor' wind can be fierce. Peak season, with the most visitors and the highest hotel prices, is December to March. The quietest months are May to August.

When is the rainy season in Cape Town?

The wettest months are June to August. Winter: cool (17-18°C days) and rainy; the Table Mountain cableway shuts on stormy days.

When is Cape Town most crowded?

Peak season is December to March, when stays cost the most and the sights are busiest.

What is the cheapest way to fly to Cape Town from India?

Of the Indian cities we track, Mumbai has the lowest fare right now: ₹55,121 (return, 10 nights) for Thu 15 Oct.

How hot does Cape Town get?

The hottest month is February, with average highs of 28°C; the coolest nights come in July, around 8°C.

More places to plan