Arrive 2.5–3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic — Cape Doctor winds and slow check-in routinely eat the margin.

Worst queues hit mid-morning and 15:00–18:00; early morning international departures are still safer if you clear security before the first wave.

They share one building but have separate security and immigration — allow 20–30 minutes airside if you must re-clear.

Connecting passengers who leave the sterile area will re-queue; stay airside whenever possible and follow the purple transfer signs.

Airside food is limited and mediocre; the better cafés and restaurants sit landside in the public area.

If you have Priority Pass or airline access, Bidvest is the reliable meal option; otherwise grab something before you clear security.

Check the ACSA flight board and a Cape Town wind forecast before you leave for the airport — weather, not congestion, is the usual delay driver.

Airline apps lag; the official ACSA site and airport screens update faster when the Cape Doctor is blowing.