Distance from Cape Town to Maputo

The straight-line (great-circle) distance from Cape Town, South Africa to Maputo, Mozambique is 1,624 km (1,009 miles). There is normally no nonstop flight; a hypothetical nonstop flight would take about 2 h 30 min. By road the trip is about 1,900 km.

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Cape Town, South Africa to Maputo, Mozambique
Straight-line distance
1,624 km
1,009 miles
Flight time
2h 30m
Hypothetical nonstop
Direction
Northeast
From Cape Town (61°)
Time difference
None
UTC+2 vs UTC+2

Route Map

City Information

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Cape Town

South Africa
Population: about 4.8 million (City of Cape Town, 2022 census)
Airport: Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Time Zone: UTC+2
Language: English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa
Currency: South African rand (ZAR)
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Maputo

Mozambique
Population: about 1.1 million (city); about 2.5 million including Matola
Airport: Maputo International Airport (MPM)
Time Zone: UTC+2
Language: Portuguese
Currency: Mozambican metical (MZN)

About This Route

1,624 km is the great-circle distance between the two city centres, calculated with the haversine formula. Flight paths are usually somewhat longer because aircraft follow air-traffic routes, and airports are not in the city centres. From Cape Town, Maputo lies to the northeast.

Flights

Most travellers connect in Johannesburg, where Airlink and LAM Mozambique Airlines fly frequently to Maputo; total journey time is usually 4–6 hours including the connection.

The flight time shown (2 h 30 min) assumes a nonstop flight at an average of 800 km/h plus about 30 minutes for take-off and landing. Airports: Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and Maputo International Airport (MPM).

By Road and Land Borders

By road the usual route is Cape Town – N1 to Johannesburg – N4 to the Lebombo (South Africa) / Ressano Garcia (Mozambique) border – Maputo, about 1,900 km and two long days of driving.

About Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa's legislative capital (seat of Parliament) and second-largest city, between Table Mountain and Table Bay. Pretoria is the executive capital and Bloemfontein the judicial capital.

Highlights: Table Mountain, Robben Island, V&A Waterfront, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Bo-Kaap

About Maputo, Mozambique

Mozambique's capital and largest city, on Maputo Bay near the South African and Eswatini borders. The Maputo Corridor road and rail links make it the closest seaport to Johannesburg.

Highlights: Fortaleza de Maputo, Maputo Central Station, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, FEIMA craft market, Maputo Special Reserve

Practical Tips

  • Time: Cape Town and Maputo are on the same time.
  • Currency: Cape Town uses the South African rand (ZAR); Maputo uses the Mozambican metical (MZN).
  • Visas: Entry rules between South Africa and Mozambique depend on your nationality; check our visa requirements tool and official sources before travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Cape Town from Maputo?

Cape Town is 1,624 km (1,009 miles) from Maputo in a straight line. By road the distance is about 1,900 km.

How long is the flight from Cape Town to Maputo?

Nonstop services are limited; a nonstop flight would take about 2 h 30 min. Most travellers connect in Johannesburg, for a total of about 4 to 6 hours.

Can you travel from Cape Town to Maputo by road?

Yes. The road route is about 1,900 km via the N1 to Johannesburg and the N4 to the Lebombo-Ressano Garcia border; plan on two long days of driving.

What is the time difference between Cape Town and Maputo?

Cape Town and Maputo are on the same time.

Related Routes and Guides

Use the distance calculator for any other pair of African cities, or see the list of distance pages.