Cape Town is a frustrating city to navigate, simply because there is hardly any efficient public transport to speak of. That and the fact that there is a mountain right in the middle of the city can make getting around quite a daunting task for the tourist. Cape Town is, nevertheless, equipped with some trains and buses. Metro Transport Info (tel: 0800 656 463; www.mti.co.za) provides centralised information on all trains, buses and taxis.

Cape Metrorail (tel: 0800 656 463; www.capemetrorail.co.za) runs the suburban network of trains, consisting of five routes, which serve four defined areas - Area Ikapa (Cape Town and city destinations), Area North (including Bellville, Wellington, Stellenbosch and Strand), Area Central (including Langa and Khayelitsha) and Area South (including the Cape Flats and the Simon's Town line via Wynberg, Newlands, Claremont and Rondebosch). The Cape Town-Simon's Town route, which hugs the coastline, just metres from the ocean, is particularly spectacular.

Tourists are advised to keep a watchful eye on their possessions, as pickpocketing is rife, and they should also never travel after dark. Trains generally run from Cape Town station daily 0430-1930 (depending on the route travelled), with regular departures, although there is a more limited service at weekends; some Area North routes do not offer a weekend service. There are two fare types - Metro (standard) and Metro Plus (first class); tourists are advised to travel on the Metro Plus service. Tickets also vary in price according to the distance travelled. Weekly and monthly passes are also available.

Public buses run regular and safe services to most destinations - including Camps Bay, Claremont, Hout Bay, Kirstenbosch, Kloof Nek, Sea Point and the Waterfront. However, tourists should probably avoid taking buses to the outlying areas. Golden Arrow (tel: 08012 12111; www.gabs.co.za) has the monopoly on Cape Town's bus services, which run out of the main bus terminal on the Grand Parade, between Cape Town Station and the City Hall. Buses run daily approximately 0600-2000 (depending on the route), with a limited service at the weekend; some routes do not have a weekend service. Bus fares are based on the distance travelled and prices vary accordingly. Tickets can be purchased upon boarding or from the main terminal. 'Clipcards' or passes are also available at the Grand Parade terminal.

Metered taxis can be ordered at any time of day or night and can also be hired for day trips. Although the meters are generally accurate, visitors should ask the driver for an estimated price before setting out. There are taxi ranks at the main railway station and at the top of Adderley Street. Visitors should note that the practice of hailing a taxi on the street is virtually unheard of in Cape Town. Besides finding one at the ranks, visitors can call Marine Taxis (tel: (021) 434 0434; www.marinetaxis.co.za) or Unicab (tel: (021) 448 8823).

Wheelchair users and groups of up to nine should request a larger Toyota Venture. Rikki's Taxis (tel: (0861) 745 547; www.rikkis.co.za) provides a more tourist-orientated taxi service in an open rickshaw-type vehicle; they run in the city centre and Simon's Town and will take you out as far as Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens but not as far as the airport.

Minibus taxis
A common sight in Cape Town are the 10- to 12-seater minibus taxis that are the preferred transport option of many a car-less local. These can be hailed down anywhere on the streets and are by far the cheapest transport option.

However, the minibus taxis cannot really be recommended to tourists. Although they are getting more organised and newer vehicles are being introduced, especially on the inner city routes, they still have a bad reputation and safety record. Tourists who do choose to use this service should exercise caution and employ common sense at all times. Tourists should only board the minibuses that have the destinations and corresponding route numbers printed on the back of the bus. A ride in a minibus taxi is often not for the faint hearted as the drivers do not pay much attention to the rules of the road.

Due to the lack of efficient and safe public transport, many visitors choose to drive. Driving in the city is usually fairly unstressful, as there are good feeder highways, decent signage and efficient traffic lights. The scenic routes and meandering country roads are particularly lovely. However, the characteristic Cape Town repose seems to dissolve once the locals are behind the wheel and driving can be hair-raising at times. Drivers are almost always accosted at stop signs and traffic lights, by beggars or entrepreneurs flogging everything from newspapers and roses to bin liners.

Rush hours are generally 0700-0830 and 1630-1800, when some routes heading out of the city, particularly De Waal Drive, become quite congested. Getting into the city from the southern suburbs can be quite an adventure for the uninitiated. A preferred route into the city centre is via Main Road, which feeds into the city centre all the way from Wynberg, through Observatory, Woodstock and Salt River into Cape Town. Although fairly straightforward, here drivers have to keep an eye out for minibus taxis. It is not advisable for drivers to attempt to challenge the minibus taxi drivers, as this can be dangerous.

Parking is plentiful around the city, with almost every mall equipped with indoor parking. Central car parks are located on Strand Street, the Grand Parade and Plein Street. In many free open parking lots, uniformed parking security guards will look after cars for a tip.

The kerbside parking bays are managed by parking marshals, who have hand-held machines, which record the vehicle's registration number, the number of the parking bay and the time of the driver's arrival. There are two methods of payment; cash or by City Card, which are purchased from the parking marshals and can be topped up with any amount when necessary. The system is in operation Monday to Saturday during office hours; parking is free of charge after 1800.

A hired car is often the visitor's preferred mode of transport in Cape Town, especially for excursions to outlying areas. Hotels can arrange car hire, while all major car hire companies have booths at the airport.

Some of the many major car hire companies include Avis (tel: 0861 021 111; www.avis.co.za), Budget (tel: (021) 398 0123; www.budget.co.za), Europcar (tel: 0800 011 344; www.europcar.co.za), Hertz (tel: 0861 600 136; www.hertz.co.za) and Tempest Sixt (tel: 08683 67378; www.tempestcarhire.co.za).

Insurance is sometimes included in the rates but 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 (unless the driver's national licence is printed in English and bears a photograph of the holder).