Alright, so you’re planning a trip to Cape Town, and you’re wondering, “What’s the best way to actually get around once I’m there?” I’ve been there, done that, and let me tell you, it’s not as straightforward as you might think. It’s not like there’s one magic solution.
My First Go-To: Ride-Hailing Apps
Naturally, like most folks these days, my first instinct was to rely on ride-hailing. You know, Uber, Bolt – they’re all over Cape Town. And for the most part, it worked. Tap the app, car shows up. Super convenient for getting from A to B directly, especially when you first arrive and you’re still figuring things out, or if you’re heading out at night.
But here’s the kicker. Surge pricing is a real thing, especially if there’s an event on, or it’s peak tourist season, or even just rush hour. Suddenly that affordable ride isn’t so affordable. And, let’s be honest, the quality of the drive or the car can be a bit of a lottery sometimes. Most drivers were great, but you get the odd one that makes you clutch the seat a bit.
Thinking About Freedom: Renting a Car
After a few pricey Uber trips, I thought, “Okay, maybe I need more freedom. I’ll rent a car!” The idea of cruising along Chapman’s Peak Drive on my own schedule was pretty appealing. And yeah, having a car does give you amazing flexibility, especially for trips out to the Winelands, or down to Cape Point, or exploring those little coastal towns.
But then reality hit. First off, if you’re not used to driving on the left, that’s an adventure in itself. Then there’s parking. In the city center, or popular spots like Camps Bay? Good luck. It can be a nightmare finding a spot, and then you’re constantly feeding meters or paying for garages. And you do have to be smart about where you leave your car and what you leave in it. Security is something you just have to be aware of.
Giving Public Transport a Shot: The MyCiTi Bus
So, I started looking into public transport. The MyCiTi bus system seemed like the main option. You have to buy a MyCiTi card and load money onto it, which is a bit of a faff at first, but once you have it, it’s pretty straightforward. The buses are generally clean, modern, and they cover a surprising number of tourist routes and main areas. Definitely the most budget-friendly way to cover decent distances.
The downside? Well, they don’t go absolutely everywhere. If your destination is off the main routes, you might still need a little Uber ride at the end. And sometimes, you just miss a bus and find yourself waiting longer than you’d like. Also, during peak times, they can get pretty packed.
The Local Way: Minibus Taxis
You’ll see them everywhere – the minibus taxis. They are the lifeblood for many locals, and they are insanely cheap. It’s a real local experience, that’s for sure. They kind of have set routes, but as a tourist, figuring those out, and the hand signals to flag one down for where you want to go? Honestly, it felt a bit overwhelming. I mostly just observed them. Maybe if I was staying longer and got braver, but for a typical tourist trip, it seemed like a steep learning curve with potential for getting very lost.
Good Old Walking
Can’t forget walking! For shorter distances, especially in areas like the V&A Waterfront, the Sea Point Promenade, or exploring neighborhoods like Bo-Kaap or the Company’s Garden, walking is fantastic. You see so much more. But Cape Town is a spread-out city. It’s not a place where you can realistically walk everywhere. Distances between key attractions can be significant, and some areas are definitely not pedestrian-friendly or advisable to walk through, especially after dark.
The Tourist Special: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
And of course, there’s the big red Hop-On Hop-Off bus. I did try it for a day. It’s good for getting an overview of the city, hitting all the major tourist landmarks without having to think too much about navigation. You get commentary too. But it’s a tourist bus, you know? It runs on its own schedule, and you’re on that circuit. Good for a first-timer who wants to tick boxes, but maybe not for daily, flexible transport.
So, What’s the Real “Best Way”?
After trying a bit of everything, I realized there isn’t one single “best way” to get around Cape Town as a tourist. It really depends on what you’re doing, where you’re going, your budget, and your comfort level.
My personal strategy evolved into a mix:
- Ride-hailing (Uber/Bolt) for direct trips, convenience when I had luggage, or going to specific restaurants/locations not easily served by buses, especially in the evenings. I just learned to check for surge pricing.
- MyCiTi bus for daytime travel between major hubs if I wasn’t in a huge rush and wanted to save some cash. I got pretty good at planning routes with it.
- Walking for exploring specific neighborhoods and shorter distances in safe, pleasant areas.
- Renting a car only made sense when I planned a dedicated day trip out to the Winelands or a multi-day exploration of the Cape Peninsula. For just city travel, I found it more of a burden than a help.
So yeah, it’s about being flexible. Don’t just stick to one thing. You sort of piece it together. One day I even took an Uber to a MyCiTi bus stop to catch a bus to another area where I then walked around. Sounds complicated, but it actually worked out perfectly for what I needed that day. You just get into the rhythm of it!
