Thursday, March 17, 2011

Types of Transportation in Cape Town

Cape Town is an exciting city to explore and getting around shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge for those who study the bus and train routes in advance. However, traveling by public transportation comes with certain risks, especially at night, at first time visitors to the city often opt to travel by taxi or arrange car hire through their cheap Cape Town hotel.

Quick and Convenient

By taxi
Available to hire by phone or at special taxi ranks, metered taxis are monitored by the city council and are usually very safe and reliable. While the average rate is around R4.50 for each kilometer, those embarking on a longer journey should be able to set a fixed price with the taxi driver. Taxi ranks can be found all over the city and there is generally one within a few minutes walk of most cheap Cape Town hotel.

Car hire
The ideal option for those who put a premium on freedom, car hire in Cape Town can be arranged easily. The city is served by a large number of internationally recognized car hire companies, most of which have booths at the airport and at large hotels. Driving around Cape Town is fun as traffic density is low and this is a great way to really get a feel for the city.

Hiring motorbikes and bicycles
Popular with those who are traveling alone, bicycles and motorbikes can be rented quite easily from a large number of hotels and guesthouses in Cape Town and are also available for hire in special bike shops. While the vehicles on offer are usually in good condition, it is advisable to check them over thoroughly before signing any papers as existing dents that go unnoticed at the time may end up costing the driver a lot of money upon return of the bike.

Cheap and Cheerful
On foot
Wandering through the heart of Cape Town serves as a good introduction to the city. Although it is impossible to explore the whole of Cape Town on foot, those who want to take a tour of the center of the city should be able to walk around this area in a few minutes. Featuring pretty parks, bustling markets and world-class attractions such as the Natural History Museum, walking through the heart of the city is an uplifting experience.

By bus
Although not exactly extensive, bus routes cover most of Cape Town’s most prominent attractions, including Table Mountain and the main museums. The best place to catch a bus is at the terminal, which can be found on Grand Parade. Buses tend to arrive every ten minutes or so and while this may not be the most convenient way to explore Cape Town, bus travel is certainly cheap.

By minibus/Rikki
Hiring a Rikki is a good and also cheap way of getting around Cape Town. This open sided minibus travels from place to place very quickly, covering most popular places within the city. However, while Rikkis run regularly during the daytime, they don’t operate after dark and visitors who are exploring the city in the evening will need to search for an alternative form of transportation.

By train
While train travel in Cape Town has a reputation for being dangerous, those who take a few precautions will find that this is an interesting way to get around. It is best to stick to the scenic Simon's Town line and avoid traveling by train after dark. In addition, visitors should avoid carrying anything of value with them and get belongings hidden.

Article Source
Cape Town Car Hire

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