Car Hire in Cape Town

About Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the three capital cities of South Africa. It is the oldest city in the country and the second-largest just after Johannesburg. It is located in the Western Cape Province and is also called the Mother City. It is the legislative capital of the country and serves as the seat of the South African Parliament. In 2014, Cape Town was named the best place in the world to visit by the New York Times and the Daily Telegraph. This city is truly special thanks to its location, landscape, culture, history, gastronomy and much more. There is really a lot to see and do here, so you should plan your visit to Cape Town well.

The city is located at the foot of Table Mountain and the majestic presence of this mountain massif above the city adds charm to this place. It is common knowledge that this city has a long and turbulent past, during which many tragic events have taken place. All these events have shaped the city and its citizens and today you can visit many places where you can learn about the history of Cape Town and all of South Africa.

Today Cape Town is a multicultural city where many different nationalities live. And that is why you can really find everything in Cape Town. You will need several days to explore the city properly because there are many parts of the city that you will need a whole day to really experience. After you have explored the city centre, there are some places that you should not miss outside the centre. For example, Robben Island is famous for its past and especially thanks to Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned in Robben Island prison for 27 years. Of course, there are also numerous museums where you can learn a lot about the history of the city, the country and also the continent.

If you are taking a road trip through South Africa, you should definitely spend a few days in Cape Town. This could also be a perfect starting point for your road trip. After exploring the city with its historic and iconic suburbs, you can rent a car and hit the road. Buckle up and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire in Cape Town

• Location: Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
• Population: 4,710,000
• Official language: Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu and Afrikaans. Another official language is English, which is the primary language used in parliamentary and state discourse.
• Currency: South African Rand
• Weather: Cape Town has a warm Mediterranean climate   
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Cape Town are in good condition.
• Car hire in Cape Town:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Cape Town is at the Cape Town International Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Cape Town!

 Driving in Cape Town

Renting a car in Cape Town is the best option if you want to properly explore the city and especially the wider Cape Town area properly. It is important to know that you should drive on the left side of the road in South Africa and that cars - including rental cars - are right-hand drives. All distances, speed limits and speedometers are in kilometres. Wearing seat belts is required by law. The use of cell phones while driving is prohibited by law.

When you rent a car here in Cape Town, you can explore the city at your own pace and according to your own plan. Driving will save you a lot of time, plus the roads here are in great condition. There are also some great routes in the city with beautiful views of the sea and the mountains with the big city in between.

It is also important to be extra careful when driving around South Africa as there are often wild animals on the road. In larger cities there are also many pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, etc. on the road, so you should be careful here as well.

• Age limits: The minimum age to rent a car is 18 years old and you need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years. You are required by law to carry your Drivers Licence when driving. It is possible that some suppliers have a policy that anyone under the age of 23 is not eligible for vehicle hire.
• International Driving Permit:  If your driving license is not issued in English, you need to provide an official translation or have an International Driving Permit (IDP). You are required by law to carry your Drivers Licence when driving. An International Driving Permit is required in addition to a National Driving License if the National Driving License you or any of the Additional Drivers hold is not clearly identifiable as a Driving License, eg, it is in a non-Latin alphabet (eg Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Japanese). It can also depend on the country or car rental company you are renting with. If you have found a car on our website, you can press the rental terms link from the supplier for more information about driving license requirements.  
• Additional papers:  A credit card in the name of the main driver needs to be presented. A security deposit may be required while renting a car so the credit card must have sufficient funds. You can find details about the security deposit listed while booking the vehicle as well as on your voucher. It is important to have a valid driving license with the name of the main driver as well as additional drivers when it applies.Identification(passport or ID), and valid proof of insurance. When you pick up your rental car you need to have your voucher with you.  
• Additional requirements:  Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (which are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), and 2 warnings triangles, First aid kit, fire extinguisher.
• Children in the car:  In South Africa, it is illegal to travel in a car with a child under 3 years old not strapped into an approved child safety seat. Children must not sit in the front of a car without a suitable restraint system. Up to three years old they can sit in a rear-facing child seat where the airbag is disabled. Up to twelve years old they must sit in the rear of the car with an appropriate booster seat. Ask when booking for a suitable system to be included when you collect your hire car.
• Driving side of the road: Left-hand
• Lights:  You must turn your lights on any time you can't see at least 1000 feet ahead. Use your low beam headlights whenever it is raining.
• General speed limits: Speeding is taken seriously in South Africa. There are speed cameras in most towns and cities as well as on the outskirts of urban areas. Speed limits in the city are 60 km/h (37 mph), on rural roads 100km/h, and on the highways 120 km/h (74 mph), road signs alert drivers if the limit in a particular area is different from this.

Popular day trips from Cape Town

Cape of Good Hope, Paternoster, Hermanus, Aquila Private Game Reserve, Elgin, West Coast, Gansbaai...

What to see in Cape Town

Here in Cape Town, there really is something for every type of tourist and traveller. There are so many different things to see and do in this unique city with strong character and great spirit. Besides the beautiful nature that is part of the city, such as the ocean or Table Mountain, there are also many historical, cultural and religious sites that are worth visiting.

If you want to get an overview of the city, you should definitely go to the top of Table Mountain, from where you can enjoy a fabulous view of the city and the ocean behind it. For those who do not feel like hiking, there is the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway that will take you to the top of the mountain.

There are also many great beaches in Cape Town and you should definitely set aside a day for a beach. Here are some suggestions for the best beaches in town: Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno and False Bay.

Cape Town is a city that never sleeps. There is always something going on, especially in the city centre. There are many cafes, bars and restaurants where you can have a drink or a meal, but also many clubs where you can party all night long.

There are many other things you can see and do here in Cape Town, here are some suggestions: Castle of Good Hope, the Cape Town Diamond Museum, the South African Jewish Museum, Zeitz MOCAA, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Bishopscourt, Bo-Kaap, Cape Malays, District six Museum, Robben Island, Slave Lodge Museum,...

Drive your rental car beyond Cape Town

South Africa is officially called the Republic of South Africa. This huge country is 23rd on the list of the most populous nations in the world. The interesting thing about South Africa is that it has three capitals. The executive, judicial and legislative branches are based in Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town respectively. The largest city in the country is Johannesburg.

If you are planning a road trip through South Africa, you can be sure that a fantastic experience awaits you. There are so many fabulous destinations for a road trip here in this country and there are also some spectacular roads that you will experience while driving through South Africa. The most famous of these is the Garden Route, which stretches between Mossel Bay in the west and Storms River in the east. It is about 200 kilometres long and offers an unforgettable experience with its many rivers, lakes, the sea, mountains, forests and much more.

South Africa is known for the many different things you can see and do here. The country is probably best known for its amazing landscapes, diverse and unique wildlife, vibrant cities and unique culture. But in recent years, South Africa has seen significant growth in many different areas of tourism. For example, there are some world-famous wineries here that are also fantastic tourist attractions.

When in Southern Africa, be sure to visit one of the many safari parks that exist throughout the country. You can learn a lot when visiting these parks, especially about wildlife conservation, which is also very important. There are hundreds of national parks in South Africa and you should definitely visit at least one of them. A stay here in the midst of wild animals is a very special experience. The nights in these parks are especially entertaining and unique. This is an experience you will never forget in your life. The most famous safari park in the country is Kruger National Park, which is home to incredible diversity and tons of amazing wildlife, including the "Big Five" (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and Cape buffalo). But of course, there are many more parks in the country, here are some of them: Hluhluwe and iMfolozi National Park - It is located in the east of the country and is known for its rhino populations. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park - It is located on the border with Botswana in the north and is known for its black-maned lions. Addo Elephant National Park - Located near Port Elizabeth on the south coast, this is a good choice for safaris on your own. Pilanesburg National Park & Game Reserve - Home to the Big 5, the park can be visited on a day trip from Johannesburg if you are short on time.

But there is another fantastic option for wildlife lovers. You can go whale watching, as South Africa is considered one of the best places for this kind of activity. The best time for whale watching is from June to November. There are several companies that offer and organize whale watching tours. The best and most reliable ones are Southern Right Charters, Hermanus Whale Cruises and Xplora Tours. Another nice activity you can do here is, of course, scuba diving. There are several centres for this sport spread all over South Africa. It is a great place both for beginners, who can take various courses here and for the more experienced divers, who will find some fantastic dive sites here.

For those who prefer a more active vacation, there are plenty of options here in South Africa. One of the most popular options is undoubtedly surfing. There are many fantastic beaches for surfing in both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, providing endless opportunities for surfers from all over the world. The most popular destination for surfers is Jeffrey's Bay, located on the south coast near Port Elizabeth. Other famous places for surfing are Dungeons, Long Beach, Durban...

If you are not interested in surfing, then you should look for an activity in the Drakensberg region. The Drakensberg is the highest mountain range in South Africa and there are numerous opportunities for hiking, climbing, mountain biking, trekking, etc. Some of the best places in the Drakensberg are Rainbow Gorge: An easy and beautiful two-hour hiking trail in the Cathedral Peak area. Plowman's Kop: A half-day hike with a steep climb. Chain Ladders Hike: A challenging one-day hike with ladders attached to the rock wall. Cathedral Peak: This hike is best climbed with a guide. Giant's Cup Trail: Usually a five-day hike.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Cape Town

Cape Town is a multicultural city that has been home to people from all over the world for quite some time. And thanks to this fact, the cuisine here is a blend of everything that makes up the authentic style of South Africa. This is truly a gourmet's paradise, where you can enjoy a very varied cuisine. For example, you should eat fish and chips here or go to an African restaurant where you can enjoy local grilled specialities with lots of meat because Africans love to eat meat and especially the grill has a special place in their cuisine. For example, one of the local specialities is Gatsby, a big sandwich with lots of high-quality meat, vegetables, fries and sauces. Another local dish is bunny chow, half a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. Bobotie is another African dish you should try here in Cape Town.

You can also visit some fantastic wineries in and around the city. There are really high-quality wines from South Africa and you have a unique opportunity to taste them in the local area.

Best restaurant in Cape Town

Lelapa Restaurant

Mzansi

Whole Earth Cafe

Reverie Social Table

Chef's Warehouse Beau Constantia

Homespun