Cape Town, South Africa — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Airlines providing flights to Cape Town from the UK include South African Airways, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and United Airlines.
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Tel: (021) 937 1200 or 0867 277 888 (flight information).
Website: www.airports.co.za
The international airport is 22km (14 miles) east of Cape Town on the N2 highway. The airport expanded and modernized before hosting the 2010 World Cup.
A dazzling new five-story Central Terminal Building handles both international and domestic check-ins, with 120 desks and 20 self-service machines. An extra 4,000 parking bays and 30 new shops and restaurants have been added. A handful of airlines operate extensive domestic networks, which is handy since the county is dauntingly large to drive around.
Airport facilities
These include foreign exchange, ATMs, tourist information, a clinic, mobile phone hire, Wi-Fi access, VIP room, a conference center and car hire from Avis, Budget, Dollar Thrifty, Europcar, Hertz, Imperial, National and Tempest.
Transport to the city
South Africa is distinctly third world in its lack of public transport, with no trains or public bus service from the airport. Taxis outside the airport will charge about R250 (around £22) to the city center.
Shuttle buses are run by Anwar’s Tourist Services (tel: (021) 692 0951; www.anwartravel.com) and Randy’s Tours (tel: (021) 706 0166; www.randystours.com) among others. The tourist office will point you in the right direction. Most luxury hotels can arrange airport transfers.
Approximate flight times to Cape Town
From London - 12 hours 40 minutes; New York - at least 23 hours; Los Angeles - 27 hours 30 minutes; Toronto - 25 hours 45 minutes; Sydney - 16 hours.
Getting There By Road
The Cape's stunning scenery, good quality roads and dearth of public transport makes driving the best option. Just be careful- the country has a high accident rate, clueless drivers who flout the rules and a lax attitude to drink-driving. The legal driving age is 18 years, though car hire companies often require drivers to be at least 23. Driving is on the left. The speed limit on highways is 120kph (75mph), 80-100kph (50-62mph) on national roads and 60kph (37mph) in urban areas. Foreign licenses are valid if they are in English with a photograph of the holder, but the AA recommends an International Driving Permit to prevent potential complications. Licenses must be carried at all times. Car theft and hijacking is a problem, so keep doors locked and avoid hitchhikers. Most petrol stations only accept cash, not credit cards.
Emergency breakdown services
The AA (tel: 0838 4322). Yellow SOS telephones are available on major routes.
Routes to the city
Three main routes lead into Cape Town; the N1 from Johannesburg via the Winelands of Paarl and Franschhoek; the N2 weaving along the coastal Garden Route and from the airport, and the N7 from Namibia down the west coast.
Driving times to the city
From Johannesburg - 17 hours; from Durban - 6 hours and from Franschhoek - 1 hour.
Coach services
Air-conditioned coaches run from Adderley Street station to cities including Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Upington, and internationally to Bulawayo and Harare in Zimbabwe, Maputo in Mozambique and Windhoek in Namibia. Operators include Intercape (tel: 0861 287 287; www.intercape.co.za), Greyhound (tel: 0839 159 000; www.greyhound.co.za), and Translux (tel: 021 774 3333; www.translux.co.za). The Baz Bus (tel: 021 439 2323; www.bazbus.com) is aimed at backpackers and picks up from hostels en route. It runs along the coast between Cape Town and Durban, before heading to Johannesburg.
Getting There By Rail
Rail Services
South Africa's lack of public transport is clearly apparent in its train services – or lack of them. On a positive note, plans are underway to modernise Adderley Street Station in the city center, with the addition of shops, cafes, ticket sales points and information kiosks. Standard trains (tel: 0860 008 888; www.shosholozameyl.co.za) run to Johannesburg four times a week (27 hours), and weekly to Durban (38 hours). They offer a sleeper service and dining cars.
Rail Operators
Of most interest for tourists is the Southern Line Tourism Route run by Metrorail Western Cape (tel: 0800 65 64 63; www.capemetrorail.co.za). This is as much about the journey as the destination, with a route along the rugged coastline from Cape Town's Adderley Street station to Observatory, Newlands, Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and Simon's Town. All those small towns offer various attractions within a couple of kilometers of each station. A Hop On, Hop Off daily pass lets you jump off at each station. The luxurious Blue Train (tel: 021 449 2672; www.bluetrain.co.za) and its rival Rovos Rail (tel: 021 421 4020; www.rovosrail.co.za) both run two-night trips between Cape Town and Pretoria four to six times a month. Evoking a bygone era of rail travel, the experience of gently rocking through spectacular countryside and indulging in fine food and wine en route makes this a must for rail buffs. Heading for Johannesburg? Metrorail's Premier Classe (tel: 086 000 8888; www.premierclasse.co.za) runs twice a week and takes 25 hours. As well as a fine dining service and luxury rail accommodation, guests can pamper themselves with an African Armani Spa treatment - the first spa on a train in Africa.
Getting Around in Cape Town, South Africa
Public Transport
Public transport in Cape Town is frustratingly poor. Golden Arrow Bus Services (tel: 08012 12111; www.gabs.co.za) has the monopoly and runs a bus terminal on Grand Parade. It offers services from the city to the V&A Waterfront and Sea Point, or for a scenic run to outlying areas like Camps Bay, Hout Bay and Kirstenbosch.Tickets can be bought on board or from the terminal. Metro Transport (tel: 0800 656 463; www.mti.co.za) provides a centralized information service for buses.
Trains serving city destinations plus tourist spots like Stellenbosch, Simon's Town, Khayelitsha and the Cape Flats are run by Cape Metrorail (tel: 0800 656 463; www.capemetrorail.co.za).
Taxis
Hailing a taxi in the street isn't common practice, but there are taxi ranks throughout Cape Town and any hotel or tourist office will book one for you. Officially taxis should have meters. Taxi operators include: Marine Taxis (tel: (021) 434 0434; www.marinetaxis.co.za) or Excite (tel: (021) 418 4444; www.excitetaxis.co.za). You may be able to flag down one of the city's minibuses that serve as taxis for local workers - they're cheap and fast.
Driving in the City
Due to the lack of efficient and safe public transport, many visitors choose to drive. Driving in the city is fairly easy, although the rules of the road are often flouted, particularly by minibus taxis. Expect to be cut up, but avoid any altercations.
Parking is plentiful, with on-street and indoor parking at the main shopping malls. Central car parks are located on Strand Street, Grand Parade and Plein Street. In free open car parks, uniformed guards will look after cars for a tip. On-street parking is managed by marshalls with hand-held devices to record your time of arrival. You can pay by cash or buy a City Card from a marshal if you plan to stay in Cape Town. On-street parking is free after 1800.
Car Hire
Numerous car hire companies have booths at the airport and the hotels can also arrange car hire. Car hire companies include: Avis (tel: 0861 021 111; www.avis.co.za); Budget (tel: (021) 418 5232; www.budget.co.za); Europcar (tel: 0800 011 344; www.europcar.co.za), Hertz (tel: (021) 935 4800; www.hertz.co.za) and First Car Rental (tel: (021) 422 1480; www.firstcarrental.co.za). Insurance is usually offered as an optional extra and is highly recommended. Drivers must be at least 23 years old and have a credit card and an International Driving License or a license printed in English with a photograph of the holder.
Bicycle Hire
You'll realise how hilly the city is if you start cycling. Hire from Downhill Adventures (tel: (021) 422 0388; www.downhilladventures.com) or join one of their organized rides.
