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.

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Cape Town Car Hire

Cape Town Driving and Cycling

Drivers and cyclists everywhere are often at odds over such matters as who has the right of way, but visiting car drivers and bicycle riders agree on one thing; Cape Town has good roads and bad drivers. Whether you will have your foot on a gas pedal, or be pushing pedals when you travel around Cape Town, there are a few things you should know. The first, of course, is that South Africans drive on the left. If you are accustomed to driving on the right, find some quiet place to practice a little before you get into major traffic. An ounce of orientation can save you many pounds of trouble.

Good Roads and Fast Freeways

Cape Town roads are good, and several fast freeways can take you across town in no time. Because the city is on a peninsula, orientation is easy. You have the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and False Bay on the other. Table Mountain provides an excellent landmark. It really is very hard to get lost. There are some wonderful routes you can take, either by car or by bike. One of the most scenic is along the Atlantic seaboard to Hout Bay and the Chapman's Peak Drive. Another takes you around the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park by way of the False Bay coast.

Regulations and Driving Tips

National roads are marked with an N prefix, and provincial roads with an R prefix. During the Easter and December breaks, the highways can become unusually congested. During these times, notoriously bad driving habits are made worse by alcohol consumption, although police have been cracking down on drunk drivers. Speed limits range from 60 kph in urban areas, to 100 kph on rural roads and 120 kph on highways. Roundabouts follow the British rule of giving way to the right. Four-way-stops allow the first vehicle at the intersection to proceed first. In Cape Town traffic signals are called robots.

Drive With Caution

South Africa has one of the world's worst records for motor vehicle accidents, so drive with caution. Keep your distance from vehicles in front. Watch out for cars coming straight at you while they are overtaking other cars. You are expected to pull over onto the paved shoulder - where there might be people walking. Cape Town has a few unwritten rules of the road all its own. For example, minibus taxi drivers assume they have the right of way at all times. They will cut you off and run traffic lights with impunity. Be very careful approaching a freeway in Cape Town. The on-ramps often lead directly into the fast lane, and most local drivers won't slow down to let you in. Freeway signs also don't give much warning of the off-ramps. Plan your trip, so you know where you're going.

License, Gas, and Parking

If you're cycling around Cape Town, your main problem is watching out for drivers who have no respect for two-wheeled vehicles. To drive a motor vehicle, you must have a valid driver's license, printed in English. Otherwise you must obtain an International Driving Permit. Always have your license and passport with you. There are plenty of gas stations on the major highways, but they are less frequent on country roads, so fill up when you can. The best places to park in Cape Town are the multistorey parking garages. If you park on the street, you may have to pay a "car guard" not only to watch your vehicle, but to direct you in and out of the parking spot.

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Cape Town Car Rental

Chill Out With Cape Town Car Hire

It's the end of the year and the party mood is upon us all, and for many of us party central is the Mother City, Cape Town. If you're going to be heading down to the Cape for the festive season then you'll want to know that when you get off the plane that there's a hire car waiting for you so that you can immediately set off on your Cape adventure with the minimum of fuss and bother.

Cape Town car hire can represent extremely good value for money and allow the visitor the choice from amongst a wide variety of motor vehicles.

Cape Town car hireis as easy as making a phone call to one of the many car hire companies in the Peninsula or using the Internet and your credit card to pre book your hire vehicle. The key to successful car hire is timing. The popularity of Cape Town as a holiday destination means that you should book your vehicle well in advance of the holiday season.

If you're looking to take advantage of the convenience of Cape Town car hire then you should shop around at least a month before you are due to leave for the Cape Province, this will ensure that you get the best bang for your buck.

When you're making your choice don't limit yourself to the mundane, this is a city that is comfortable with individual expression, if you want to book a Harley, or an open top sports car then don't hesitate, it'll make your holiday that much more fun.

In fact it can be just as much fun as the holiday itself, don't hold back, you only live once. Take advantage of the sun and the sand and make sure that you get the most out of your holiday in the Cape Peninsula.

Whatever choice you make as far as Cape Town car hire try to get the most out of the experience and make sure that you don't limit yourself to just the city, get out into the countryside. You'll be glad you did.

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Car Rental Cape Town

Important Things to Know Before Signing Off For Your Rental Car

Before you sign the contract and drive away with your rental car, you need to make sure you really know what you have agreed to by signing that agreement. If something were to go wrong while you had the rental car, who would be responsible? How much are you really going to be charged when you return it? What happens if the car gets scratched while you are driving it? You need to consider each of these questions before signing a rental car agreement.

Rental Cars and Insurance

One of the first things you will be asked when you head to the check out counter to pick up your rental car keys is whether or not you want to purchase the rental agency's insurance policy. Do not say no without thinking first. If something were to happen to your rental car, would you be responsible for the damages? Without insurance, you would.

However, this does not mean that you need the rental car company's insurance policy. Do you have car insurance on your own vehicle? If so, find out what your current car insurance company covers on rental cars. You may have full coverage on rental cars with your current insurance provider.

Are you paying via credit card? If so, check with your credit card company. Many of them automatically put rental car insurance on the cars that are rented using their cards.

If you do not have insurance with either of these sources, then you need to consider buying it. Also, keep in mind that you will not only pay for the damages to the rental car if you are in an accident. You will also have to pay for the lost time on that car. If it takes three days to fix the car, you will pay for three days of rental on that car, since the rental car company cannot make money during that time frame.

Keep in mind that the damage to a rental car does not have to occur in an accident. If the car is scratched, you could be charged. Be sure to inspect the car thoroughly before driving it off of the rental car lot. Have any damages that you notice noted on your contract.

Hidden Fees and Charges

You may think that you know how much the rental car will cost when all is said and done, but you likely will be surprised when you get your final bill due to additional fees and charges. Of course, you will have to pay taxes on your rental car. Be sure you plan for this when budgeting for a rental car.

You may also be charged for gas. Some rental car companies charge a flat fee for gas and instruct their renters to return the car close to empty. Others will not charge the gas fee if the car is returned full. If you can fill the car up yourself, do so, because the rate the rental car company is going to charge for gas will be more than the gas station down the street.

If a driver on the contract is under 25 years old, expect to pay an additional fee, if the rental car company will even allow this driver to drive the car. Also, adding additional drivers to the agreement will cost extra. Finally, be sure to inquire about late fees, and turn the car in on time unless you absolutely cannot do so.

Renting a car seems like it should be an easy task, but there are many considerations that you need to make before signing the contract. Make sure that you know exactly what you are agreeing to do, and follow through with your end of the contract. This will protect you from unexpected and expensive fees when you return the car.

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Car Rental Cape Town

Experience Cape Town

Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular cities in the world and a regular on any list of ‘top tourist attractions’, but why? ‘Tired of London, Tired of life’ goes the expression - well the same applies to Cape Town.

A gourmets delight. Fresh seafood & international cuisine with a decidedly South African twist, and a huge range of eateries ranging from cheap & funky to award-winning fine-dining. Great value too – anything from £7 per person !

Think of South Africa and I am sure wine comes to mind at some point. Home to the very full-bodied Pinotage grape variety and some other great wines, ports and brandies.

If you are in town at the right time why not try and get a ticket for a Curry Cup or Tri-Nations rugby match at Newlands or any game at the Newlands cricket ground, surely the most scenic test ground in the world.

Table Mountain is so much more than just a flat-topped mountain. You can climb it, fly over it, walk up it, abseil down it, have breakfast on it, get married on it or just look at it.

On the coast, amongst vineyards, in the mountains – the Cape’s 70 golf courses offer spectacular golf. Can your golf match it do you think?

Come face to face with one of the most feared predators on the planet and dive (in a cage) with the Great White Sharks.Hit the beach in Camps Bay, Clifton, Hout Bay or Blouberg.

The beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Groot Constantia Estate are lovely days out. Take a picnic and sit amongst the vines or gardens and take in the beauty.

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Car Hire Cape Town

Cape Town’s Hidden Hotspots

Most tourists on Cape Town holidays will visit the city’s major sights, which are indeed well worth seeing. But beyond Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and Cape Point, lie a host of fantastic and interesting places that only the locals tend to know about. Here are some of the city’s best kept secrets…

The Old Biscuit Mill: Organic Market

Each Saturday morning, Capetonians flock to an industrial warehouse in the small suburb of Salt River just outside the city centre. Salt River is not an area that tourists are likely to visit, lying just below the world renowned District Six area. But they’re missing out on one of the most fashionable affairs of the week. If you find yourself near the city centre one Saturday morning while on a Cape Town holiday, you should pay a visit to the Old Biscuit Mill. Go hungry, for an array of delicious organic food awaits you.

Situated in an old warehouse, seating is a problem and goes fast, so it’s best to get there as early as possible. You can order an organic pizza made in front of your eyes, with rocket, mozzarella and fresh tomatoes forming the base. And bold as the statement may be, it will probably be the best pizza you have ever had! Homemade cocktails and interesting live music complete the scene, where you can sit on a bale of hay, munching away happily in the bright sunshine. And bring an empty bag, because you’re unlikely to be able to resist buying a treat or two for the road.

Kalk Bay: A Fisherman’s Corner

One of the most pleasant ways to spend a day on a tailor made holiday in Cape Town, is to take a drive along the False Bay coast and visit Kalk Bay. A sleepy fishing town about 45 minutes outside the city centre, you can spend a good few hours wandering around this little village. You can enjoy lunch at a seaside restaurant, where fresh seafood straight from the ocean can be munched under the hot sun.

After a scrumptious lunch, you can peruse the many quaint antique shops lining the main road. And once you’ve satisfied your curiosity, you can make your way to the ice cream parlour where home made ice cream of all flavours will top off a fantastic summer afternoon.

Mzoli’s Street Café
Some of the most culturally rich and vibrant areas of Cape Town are in the townships. Of course, you need to know where you are going and seek advice before setting off into one of these areas, but provided you are cautious, a great day out can be had. Mzoli’s lies on the outskirts of Gugulethu, offering a street side barbecue, bar and dance club all rolled into one. Most vibrant on a Sunday afternoon, it is well worth a lunch time visit. The set up is quite simple. You pick a roadside table, go to the butcher, buy whatever meat you want, and take it to the man who will barbecue if for you. The next step is to pop over to the shebeen across the road, where you can buy a six-pack of beer for next-to-nothing, and you’ll be set for the afternoon. With a DJ to set the mood of the day, you can enjoy your barbecued meat and bottles of beer at tables on the pavement, while locals dance in the street around you.

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Car Hire in Cape Town

Top Tourist Attractions in Cape Town

If someone asked you to name a city in South Africa, the chances are that Cape Town would be one of the first ones that would come to mind.

But it may not be even close to the top of your list of possible holiday destinations for this year. That could change however when you discover just what it has in store for you.

For starters there are plenty of beaches to enjoy if you like soaking up the sun. There are basically three areas to focus your attention. The first is called False Bay, which contains a number of different beaches to explore. You can also the beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard as well as three others on the West Coast. Needless to say you really are spoilt for choice here.

But it isn’t just the sea that attracts holiday makers. Other naturally occurring sights are just as desirable to visit during your stay in Cape Town. Perhaps the most famous one of all is called Table Mountain. This is so called because of its appearance, as it has a flat top which is very unusual for any type of mountain.

There is a cable car system that can take you to the top of the mountain, but if you are up for some hard work then consider hiking instead. It is very enjoyable provided it isn’t too hot, and it is a wonderful way to spend a day enjoying the fresh air and scenery. You will definitely be impressed when you reach the top and take a look out over Cape Town itself.

If you would prefer a more sedate day ahead of you, make sure you don’t miss the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. As the name would suggest, this is very close to the water – literally right on it in fact, as it was constructed on a portion of the docks in the area. It isn’t too far from Table Mountain either, so once again the views are spectacular.

One of the most telling facts about this particular destination is that it is very popular with people who live locally too. There are plenty of shops available here, so you can spend some of your holiday money on some local delights to take back home with you. In addition to that you’ll find plenty of places to stop and relax and grab a bite to eat. While you do you can watch the docks working just as they do every day.

It’s clear that Cape Town has a lot to offer. Flights to Cape Town are readily available, and with lots of accommodation to choose from you can’t fail to have a great stay in this part of South Africa.

Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

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Car Rentals Cape Town