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Getting around Cape Town

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 centralised 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 metres. 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: 

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 Licence or a licence 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 organised rides.

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