Western Cape is South Africa's most visited province, home to the iconic Table Mountain, world-renowned Cape Winelands, the spectacular Garden Route, and the vibrant city of Cape Town. It offers a unique Mediterranean climate, diverse landscapes ranging from dramatic coastlines to semi-desert Karoo, and a rich cultural tapestry blending Cape Malay, Khoikhoi, Dutch, and British heritage.
- Public
- MyCiTi bus covers major tourist areas of Cape Town including V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, Camps Bay, and Cape Town CBD. Load value onto a myconnect card at the airport or stations.
- Taxi
- Uber and Bolt are safe, reliable, and significantly cheaper than metered taxis. Use exclusively over unregistered cabs.
- Rental
- All major international car hire companies operate from Cape Town Airport. Book in advance for December-January. An automatic transmission car is recommended. Petrol stations are plentiful.
- Walking
- Cape Town's City Bowl, Bo-Kaap, and Green Point are very walkable. The Sea Point Promenade is excellent for a 3km coastal walk. Stellenbosch town centre is very walkable.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $15-20, 20-30 min to city centre
- Taxi Info
- No fixed rate - use Uber or Bolt app for metered pricing; avoid unmarked taxis
- Shuttle
- $18-28, shared shuttle service to major hotels
- Shuttle Info
- Several shuttle companies run to V&A Waterfront and city hotels - book in advance
- Bus
- $4.50, MyCiTi A01 bus to Civic Centre
- Bus Info
- MyCiTi Airport Bus runs regularly to Cape Town city centre; requires myconnect card
- Private
- $45-80, pre-booked private car
- Private Info
- Book through hotel or reputable transfer companies online; confirm driver details in advance
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
MyCiTi routes cover Cape Town CBD, V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Hout Bay - $1.50-3 per trip on myconnect card
Alternatives
Uber and Bolt excellent for point-to-point; meter taxis available but use apps instead; cycle hire available in Green Point and Sea Point
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $5 base fare + $1.50/km (metered, registered taxis)
- Apps
- Uber, Bolt, inDriver
- App Names
- Uber, Bolt
- Typical Fare
- $8-15 for most Cape Town city rides; $20-30 for longer Peninsula trips
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Intercape and Greyhound connect Cape Town to George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn from $20 one-way
Shared
Shared minibus taxis are used by locals but not recommended for tourists due to safety concerns
Flights
FlySafair Cape Town to George from $40 one-way (40 min vs 5hr drive)
Private
Car rental from $25/day economy; self-drive gives maximum flexibility for Garden Route
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Western Cape's main hub is Cape Town International Airport (CPT). A rental car is strongly recommended for exploring the Winelands and Garden Route, while Cape Town itself is well-served by the MyCiTi bus network and rideshare apps.
Airports
Cape Town International Airport
George Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Best for city rides and airport transfers; well-established in Cape Town
Bolt
Cheaper than Uber for most Cape Town trips; growing driver base
MyCiTi App
Track MyCiTi buses in real time and check routes across Cape Town
Google Maps
Best for navigation throughout Western Cape including driving directions
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always use Uber or Bolt over unregistered metered taxis - safer and cheaper
Rent a car for the Winelands and Garden Route - you cannot do them properly without one
Drive on the LEFT in South Africa - essential reminder for northern hemisphere visitors
Load the MyCiTi myconnect card with R100-200 on arrival for easy Cape Town public transport
The MyCiTi A01 airport bus is the cheapest way into town at $4.50
Petrol/gas stations are plentiful throughout the province including self-service
Speed limits: 60km/h urban, 80-100km/h rural roads, 120km/h highways
Watch for baboons and other wildlife crossing roads on the Cape Peninsula
George Airport is the best entry point if your main focus is the Garden Route