Getting Around:
City sightseeing bus
The City Sightseeing bus (or ‘Red Bus’ as it’s often called) offers an affordable, convenient way to visit all the Cape Town Big 6 attractions. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Groot Constantia, V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and Nelson Mandela Gateway (where you get the Robben Island Museum ferry) all form part of the hop-on, hop-off routes. The Cape Point Explorer Bus is a dedicated luxury air-conditioned coach that takes visitors from Cape Town through Simon’s Town to Boulders Beach and Cape Point / The Cape of Good Hope. This is not a hop-on bus and trips need to be booked beforehand. For more information on the City Sightseeing routes, visit www.citysightseeing.co.za
Car Rentals
There are numerous ways to get around Cape Town as a visitor, either by public transport or by private vehicles. By far the easiest and most convenient is to hire a vehicle directly at Cape Town International airport. This ensures that you will be able to visit all attractions in Cape Town on your own itinerary. There are various car rental agencies located at the airport, and many local airlines offer affiliate deals with specific rental companies – check with your airline to see if this is the case.
Myciti Bus
The MyCiti bus system, an integrated rapid transit system, services most major routes, including Cape Town International Airport to the City Bowl, V&A Waterfront, Hout Bay, Woodstock, and Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs. In order to board a MyCiti bus, you will need to purchase a my connect card from MyCiti Stations or participating retailers. Should you intend to only use the card for the duration of your stay, retain your receipt and return the card on your departure for a refund.
Visit the MyCiti website for up to date information on new MyCiti bus schedules, routes and fares.
Meter Taxis & UBER
Meter taxis abound in Cape Town, with a variety of companies servicing various routes at a range of fares. Meter taxis are generally safe and reliable, and they are able to transport you to most major attractions within the city at reasonable rates, including beaches, the Winelands, the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Table Mountain, and even further afield. Always insist on using the meter when picking up a cab on the street – most taxi companies typically charge around R10 per kilometer; on occasion, reputable taxi companies will, however, offer flat rate fares to specific attractions in the Cape, particularly those outside of the city center.
Uber also has a strong presence in Cape Town, and there are UberX, UberBlack, and UberXL vehicles available to transport you around the city. Uber vehicles are also available to transport you to and from Cape Town International Airport. Download the Uber app to request a pickup.