Cape Town to Amsterdam
12h 27m The flight from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) covers 9,688 km (6,020 miles) and takes approximately 12h 27m gate to gate for a typical jet.
The route heads north on an initial great-circle bearing of 352°, passing near 9.2° N, 12.7° E at its midpoint.
The route
The great-circle path — the shortest line between the two airports across the curve of the earth. On a flat map it looks bent; on a globe it is straight.
Flight time at different cruise speeds
Aircraft type, winds and routing all move the real number. This is the same distance flown at different speeds, plus the 25-minute ground and climb allowance.
| Typical of | Cruise speed | Airborne | Gate to gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turboprop / regional | 550 km/h | 17h 37m | 18h 02m |
| Narrowbody jet (A320, 737) | 780 km/h | 12h 25m | 12h 50m |
| Widebody jet (777, 787, A350) | 900 km/h | 10h 46m | 11h 11m |
| Private jet (Gulfstream) | 850 km/h | 11h 24m | 11h 49m |
Headwinds on an eastbound long-haul routinely add 30–60 minutes; the same route westbound can be quicker. Airlines publish schedules with padding built in.
Both airports
| CPT | AMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Cape Town International Airport | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol |
| City | Cape Town | Amsterdam |
| Country | South Africa | Netherlands |
| ICAO | FACT | EHAM |
| Coordinates | -33.974, 18.6043 | 52.3086, 4.7639 |
| Elevation | 151 ft | -11 ft |
Questions
How long is the flight from Cape Town to Amsterdam?
A non-stop flight from Cape Town (CPT) to Amsterdam (AMS) takes about 12h 27m. The great-circle distance is 9,688 km (6,020 miles, 5,231 nautical miles), flying north on an initial bearing of 352°.
How far is Cape Town from Amsterdam?
9,688 kilometres in a straight line over the earth's surface — 6,020 miles or 5,231 nautical miles. Actual flown distance is usually 2–5% longer because aircraft follow airways, avoid weather and route around restricted airspace.
Is there a non-stop flight between CPT and AMS?
This page calculates the direct-line time and distance; it does not track airline schedules. At 9,688 km the route is comfortably within range of a non-stop service if an airline chooses to fly it. Check an airline or booking site for what is actually scheduled.
What should I expect on a 12h 27m flight?
Anything past six hours is a long-haul flight: expect at least one meal service, a significant time-zone shift, and enough sitting that circulation and hydration start to matter. Cabin altitude, dry air and disrupted sleep do more damage to a training routine than the flight itself.
Other routes from Cape Town
Airport coordinates from OurAirports (public domain). Distance is a great-circle calculation; flight time uses the model described on the method page. Flight times are great-circle estimates for planning only — always check the airline's published schedule.