Car Hire in Cape Town - Getting to Cape Town

Cape Town's international airport is getting busier, though it doesn’t exactly rate as a world class airport. An increasing number of airlines fly directly to Cape Town but mostly you have to enter South Africa via the much busier Johannesburg international airport and catch a 2-hour connection. There are regional flights to many centres in South Africa. From the airport there are regular shuttle buses and plentiful taxis to the city (about 20 minutes drive) and various suburban hotels.

The overnight train from Johannesburg is still popular, relatively safe and comfortable (sleepers), passing through the unforgettable Karoo desert and offering a glimpse of the wine lands as you approach the city.

The slightly cheaper buses also ply the Johannesburg – Cape Town route, by day and night, though it can be a 14 hour journey and a little uncomfortable. Generally South Africa has a reliable, frequent bus network.

By car the N1 heads north to Johannesburg. It’s a 12 hour journey (minimum) and busy during December and April, resulting in a high accident rate. The route via Kimberley is quieter and the town, with it’s diamond legacy, is worth seeing. The N2 follows the south coast eastwards towards the Garden Route and on towards Port Elizabeth and eventually Durban (16 hours). A less popular journey is northwards along the west coast to Namibia.

Due to its remoteness, there are no boat services to Cape Town.