© Sebastian Hermanns - All Rights Reserved - last modified
2007-11-26 9:27 PM
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Getting to and from the aiport
There are different ways to get to and from the aiport. If you need to get from the airport to your accommodation it is always advisable to call them and ask for a pick-up (from home/where you are coming from). Some hostels have a free pick-up service, some others charge you.
You can also book the transport to and from the airport with www.backpackerbus.co.za.
Minibus taxis
Minibus taxis are probably the most convenient and most used public transport in South Africa. They are normally Japanese buses (Mitsubishi or Toyota). Dominant characteristics are loud music (everything from hiphop to eurodance), big stickers on their cars like “I am the fastest” and too many passengers already in the bus when you try to get in. But they are cheap and bring you almost everywhere you want to go to.
Minibuses in Cape Town are covering the whole city. You stop them by hailing or by pointing your index finger into the air. But keep in mind - the
use of the taxi system for anything other than a short drive requires an expert knowledge of the unwritten lore of hand signs indicating which taxi is travelling where, and an understanding of the various routes and how they intersect.
Rates: can't mention any rates because they are always changing – but taking the minibus is always the cheapest way of travelling through the Mother City.
Problems: most of the minibus drivers tend to feel like Michael Schumacher as soon as they are in their car. They driving style can be quite dangerous…
Especially when the minibuses are very crowded, pickpockets can be around. So always mind your stuff and don't show your jewelleries around…
Contacts: they are loads of different companies in Cape Town – just pick the most reliable looking minibus and you are fine…
Metropolitan Bus Service
The more conventional buses is the metropolitan bus service. The service is covering the whole city area of Cape Town.The metropolitan bus service is operating from the Grand Parade Station (at the main train station on Strand Street).
The buses are stopping at special signs along their main routes. The metropolitan bus service is not running on a real timetable.
Rates: can't mention any rates because they are always changing – slighty more expensive or about the same price than minibus taxis.
Problems: Let's say it like this – there are not too many buses in Cape Town … and they are not going everywhere…
Contact: Information office (021) 461 4365
Golden Arrow
Golden Arrow is the other conventional bus operator in Cape Town. They run on a time table and are covering the metropolitan Cape Pininsula and Cape Flats area.
Rates: like above – always changing…
Problems: like the Metropolitan Bus Service – they seem not to have enough buses to cover the whole city in a way European bus services are doing it…
Contact: You can check the timetable on their website or see Metro Trans Info. Or just phone them under (021) 937 8800.
Rikki's
Rikki's taxis are tiny open vans. They look a bit like the Tanzanian dalladalla or the Kenyan matatu – but they are ways smaller… They fit up to 8 passengers. Rikki's is covering the City Center and the nearby areas. They are not going into the suburbs. They have low prices and and you can even book the whole taxi. It's sort of mixture of a minibus taxi and a normal one…
Rates: quite cheap for their service, but definitely more expensive than a minibus taxi.(Operational area and rates)
Problems: none – except that they not running on Sundays… Otherwise their running hours are daily from 0700am – 0700pm and on Saturdays from 0700am - 0400pm.
Contact: See their website at www.rikkis.co.za. Phone them under (021) 418 6713
Metered Taxis
Metered Taxis are the most expensive but also the safest way of travelling through Cape Town. Especially at night taking a taxi is the best decision to make. Always have a look that the drivers name and identification is clearly on display.
You can't hail a taxi in the streets – they have taxi ranks (like on Longstreet, at Greenmarket Square, Train Station, Waterfront etc.) or you phone them.
Rates: most expensive public transport in Cape Town – but still quite reasonable
Problems: none – just check if it's a real/official metered taxi or not. All taxis are regulated by the City of Cape Town.
Contact: ask at your hostel for a number or, when you are in a pub/bar/restaurant, ask the staff there – they call the taxi for you.
Cape Town Metro Rail
The Cape Town Metro Rail is covering the whole metropolitan area of Cape Town and its surrounding areas. It's a cheap and easy way of travelling through the Cape Town area. They have 1 st class – 3 rd class carriages – all of them can be safe, but don't have to be. It's like everywhere. The 1 st class is the most expensive and safest class, the 3 rd class is the opposite…
Rates: depending on the class you choose more or less expensive… still cheap prices.
Problems: The trains can get quite crowded in the rush-hour and can become a little unsafe during this time… 1 st class is probably the safest option. Don't take the trains at night.
Contact: See Metro Rail's website for timetables. Or just phone them under 0800 65 64 63 (tollfree number)
KAB Shuttle
Kab is a “Hop-on Hop-off” night time shuttle service. Our comfortable buses travel a fixed route (see link below) with thirteen pick up and drop off points. Kab will take you to and from over thirty of Cape Town's most popular night clubs/bars/theatres. At this stage buses will be traveling continuously from 9pm till 4am three nights a week, Thursday Friday and Saturday.
Rates: You need to signup with them first before you can use the service. See their website for details
Problems: I haven't heard of any ... but I haven't spoken with anyone who is using their service. Also see the tra:guide getting around forum.
See the tra:guide getting around forum for comments and reviews about the public transport in Cape Town!