Cape Town

Getting Around

The ocean and the dramatic landmarks of Table Mountain and Lions Head make Cape Town fairly easy to navigate. Most of the hotels are situated along the Atlantic Seaboard.

Private taxi companies such as Uber have a large presence in the city and are known to do trips as far as the Cape Winelands. Public transport, however, is poor and often unsafe, so most visitors hire a car, particularly if planning excursions from the city.

To rent a car, drivers need to be over 18 years old and have a credit card and a full driving license. A young driver surcharge is levied on drivers under the age of 23. The license must have a photo and be in English, otherwise an International Driving Permit is required.

Driving can be a harrowing experience in Cape Town. Lane changes can be confusing, signage is often easy to miss, and the same road can change names several times. It is a beautiful city to drive in, however, and experienced drivers should cope if they have a GPS.

For trips within the city, minibus taxis are cheap and convenient and can be hailed by adventurous travellers anywhere along their route. However, the vehicles are often in very bad condition and the driving can be appalling. Passengers should expect to pay around R5 for most journeys within the city, but are cautioned against getting into an empty minibus.

Golden Arrow buses leave from the main bus terminal to destinations around the city. Although timings can be erratic they can be a good option for those on a budget. The MyCiti buses in the city frequent well-marked routes and are a reliable and safe option.

Tourists are advised to avoid the trains, with the exception of the Simon's Town line, which runs through the residential Southern Suburbs, past Muizenberg and along the False Bay coast. Pick pocketing is rife, however, and there have been several attacks on passengers.

Rikkis, or small, open rickshaw type vehicles, are a novel way to explore the city centre and Simon's Town and are usually safe and reliable. Taxis are expensive but are a good option at night for those without a car.

Public transport should not be taken after dark.

Airports