Packing, Phones, & More

Reminder: DO NOT make any plans for personal travel during your time in Cape Town until after you have received your complete course schedule and all organized programs/activities set by CIEE Cape Town. You will not know the exact dates of co-curricular excursions for your courses and study tours until after arrival. Personal travel is not an excused absence from academic activities! As a result, students should not make travel plans for personal excursions outside of Cape Town until these dates are finalized and announced.

Purchasing your Flight

Flight Credit for Cape town, Fall 2025: TBA

Offical Arrival Day, Fall 2025: TBA

Students should fly into Cape Town International Airport directly wherever possible
We strongly advise students to purchase airline tickets that permit a change of date.
We strongly recommend purchasing tickets directly from the airline rather than a third-party vendor (like Expedia or Travelocity). Making changes or cancellations is generally easier to do directly with the airline.
Students should purchase a flexible flight.
Research many different airlines. Some will waive change fees, regardless of fare type. For other airlines it depends on the fare you purchase. Be sure to read all of the rules associated with any airline ticket before purchasing.

As indicated in the Study Abroad Acknowledgement and Release Form, Holy Cross is not responsible for travel expenses, including but not limited to, airline tickets and transportation to and from airports, which result from program suspension or termination, schedule changes, flight changes, emergency evacuation, or any other exigency. Such expenses are the sole responsibility of the student.

Getting from the Airport to your Dorm

Group Airport Pickup Day/Time: TBA for fall 2025

CIEE staff and resident assistants will wait for students outside International or Domestic Arrivals (if you are

arriving from Johannesburg) at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) for group airport pickup. After you have collected your luggage from baggage claim and have passed through customs, you will see CIEE staff holding CIEE signs awaiting you in the arrival hall. CIEE staff will then take you to the CIEE accommodation. Please wait in the arrivals section for CIEE Staff, do not walk around the airport looking for them. CIEE Staff will walk between International and Domestic Arrivals to gather students. If you are unable to arrive in the group airport pick-up window, you will be responsible for your own transportation to the CIEE accommodation. CIEE recommends taking an Uber. Please email Emma Meade (emeade@holycross.edu) if you will be arriving outside of the arrival window.

Packing Tips

• Bring a carry-on backpack to use as a carry-on for your flight and excursions during your time in South Africa.

• Pack lightly and carefully. If you have packed more than two pieces of luggage, you have over-packed. Two recommendations:

1) pack then unpack 25-50% and leave these things at home

2) pack only as much as you can physically handle moving all at once. See more on packing below.

• Keep in mind that all basic items that you may need can be purchased in Cape Town and shopping is an important cultural opportunity.

• Make sure all luggage has your name and address clearly marked. Bring an extra set of clothes in a carry-on bag in case of lost luggage.

Essentials

• Your Passport

Type 'M' power adapters

• Proof of primary South African health insurance (iNext is supplementary coverage)

• Prescription medications (bring enough to last you throughout your stay) and a copy of the prescription

• ATM Visa or MasterCard Debit card (so that you can access your checking account to withdraw money)

• When you arrive on site, we recommend that you have about 400 Rand in cash

Climate

Cape Town enjoys a moderate Mediterranean climate with warm to hot summers and cold, wet winters. Air conditioning and central heating is not standard in the South African context and the apartments do not have air conditioning or central heating. Keep in mind that the seasons are opposite of what you are used to in North America. Pack clothing you can wear in layers so you can bundle up if necessary. South Africans frequently wear sweaters, jackets, and hats indoors in winter. December to February: Summer with average temperatures 80-90 degrees.

March to May: Fall with pleasant temperatures of 70 degrees on average. As May approaches, it can get quite cool!

June to August: Winter with average temperatures of 50-60 degrees though nights can get in the 30s. Pack warm sweaters, a coat (preferably waterproof), warm socks and shoes as it gets cold and wet.

September to November: Spring with average temperatures of mid-70s. There are high pollen counts (bring allergy medication if you need it) and windy days.

For more weather information please visit: http://www.capetown.travel/guide/weather/

Travel Day

On the day of your flight, make sure you have the following in your carry-on* bag:

Passport w/ visa

Your passport needs to be valid at least 6 moths after your planned return from Cape Town

Holy Cross Affidavit Letter

This is a document provided by the office of study abroad that states you are a student in good standing at the College of the Holy Cross, and are on an official Holy Cross program! You might need to show this to the immigration officer once you are in South Africa

CIEE Cape Town Acceptance Letter

You should print your acceptance letter from your email. This letter serves as proof that you are a "legit" study abroad student. You might need to show this to the immigration officer once you are in South Africa.

Sim Cards & Phone Plans

You are required to have a cell phone with the app Whatsapp (wifi/data texting) in South Africa. Whatsapp is an international texting & calling app that our office will use this to stay in touch with you. You are not allowed to study abroad without a phone.

No matter what your plan is, you need to make sure your American phone is unlocked before you leave.

Required Apps

Whatsapp is a free international texting & calling app that our office will use this to stay in touch with you. Whatsapp operates on wifi, so you can start using whatsapp the moment you land in South Africa, even if you don't have an international cell phone plan just yet- all you need is wifi, which you can connect to at the airport!

ISOS

You are required to download the International SOS Insurance App. Once you land in South Africa, you most open that app and press the "Check-In" Button. You should also press the "Check-In" Button any time you are traveling outside of Cape Town.

Page updated

Report abuse