Public Transport in Cape Town

There are many different websites that advise about different transport options in Cape Town. Basically, they address:

• Car Rental / Car Hire
• Minibus Taxis
• Buses eg Golden Arrow Bus Service
• Rikki Taxis
• Other Taxis
• Tourist shuttle buses
• Train

Some of these websites dress up the travel options and make them into more than they are.

Here's the bottom line.

 

• Minibus Taxi

  Taking a minibus is just dumb unless you really, really don't have a choice. Most of the population in South Africa is very poor and doesn't have any other cheap options, so the minibuses do indeed get used extensively.

  However, if you are so poor that you have to use the minibuses to get around, then you shouldn't have spent all the money you just have, on getting to SA in the first place.

  Minibuses are often driven very dangerously with little regard for road rules, are frequently unroadworthy, and usually very crowded.

  The drivers do not operate according to a fixed schedule. You flag a minibus down along it's route or catch one at set terminuses. However the driver will not commence on his route until the bus is full so you have to wait until this happens.

• Bus

  If you want to spend your life waiting, then take an ordinary bus. The bus service is operated by Golden Arrow (Tel: 0800 656 463). The buses adhere only loosely to schedule. However they are cheap. I have personally witnessed a bus being driven very recklessly, but in general, I don't think you'd be taking your life in your hands.

  The Golden Arrow buses operate around the peninsula and you can get around adequately in this fashion. Personally I think that this would be a very inconvenient option, but nevertheless, if you are on a tight budget and have time at your disposal, there is nothing wrong with using the bus service.

• Taxi

  Readily available, yet expensive. Around R10/km as of 2008. Get a quote or estimate before using one. For example, taking a taxi from the airport to Hout Bay (one way) is the same price as two days cheap car hire.

  • Cabs on Call - 021 5226 103
  • Cab Xpress - 021 448 1616
  • Cape Town airport taxis - 082 954 4867
  • Excite Meter Cab - 021 418 4444
  • Marine taxis - 021 434 0434
  • Sea Point taxis - 021 434 4444
  • Unicab - 021 448 1720
• Car Hire

  The cheapest is about R230 a day with 200km free. This is an excellent option for really being able to see everything.

  Book in advance if you want the cheapest rate. The cheap cars get booked out quite quickly.

• Trains

  Cape Town to Simonstown is a lovely trip during the day. Don't use the trains after dark.

• Rikkis

  A good taxi service that has become ubiquitous throughout Cape Town.
  Tel: 0861 RIKKIS ( 0861 745 547)

• Shuttle Bus

  Shuttle bus services can be obtained for airport transfers, transfers from central points such as the V&A Waterfront, to other major tourist attractions. These services can typically be arranged by hotels, B&Bs and Guesthouses.