Cape Town car hire

Hiring a car in Cape Town is your best option for travelling from one key sight to another at your own pace. A rental car allows you to take your time in the winelands, cruise along the coastline, or drive to a safari spot – the areas around Cape Town are jam-packed with star attractions, so the only issue may be deciding where to go first.

Language: English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Ndebele | Currency: South African rand (ZAR) | Avg. Flight time: 11 hrs 30 mins

International car hire brands, such as Avis, Thrifty, and Europcar, as well as several smaller domestic rental companies, operate from Cape Town International Airport (CPT). All car rental facilities are located in front of the Transport Plaza and Central Terminal Building, which can be reached by two pedestrian subways – you’ll find one either side of the terminal.

It takes around 40 minutes to get into the centre of Cape Town from the airport, depending on traffic.

Car rental desks at Cape Town airport include:

• Avis (Tel: +27 21 934 0330)
• Europcar (Tel: +27 21 935 8600)
• Hertz (Tel: +27 21 935 3003)
• Thrifty (Tel: +27 21 936 3355)

If you’re staying in the downtown area, there are several places around Strand Street where you can pick up your rental car too. Alternatively, you can arrange for a rental to be delivered to your resort for a small fee.

It’d be a shame to visit Cape Town and not spend a day or two on its many gorgeous beaches. Camps Bay beach, a long stretch of platinum-white sands backed by swanky bars and restaurants, is a popular spot. Nearby, Glen Beach is one of the best surfing spots for pro-surfers. If you’re a novice and just want to give surfing a go, drive 30 minutes south-east to Muizenberg, which was once a well-to-do Victorian seaside resort but is now a well-known learn-to-surf beach.

Take advantage of your car hire by exploring the vast and verdant Winelands. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl are wine-producing valleys within easy reach of each other.

Don’t have time to drive to Kruger National Park? No worries; there are safari parks and game reserves near Cape Town. For the best chance to spot the Big Five (buffalos, elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinoceros), try Fairy Glen, Inverdoorn, or Aquila Private Game Reserve.

Located 60km (37 miles) from the city, Cape of Good Hope, better known as Cape Point, is a piece of rocky land reaching out to the Atlantic Ocean. Take the Flying Dutchman funicular to the old lighthouse for spectacular views. There are also a number of walking trails, including the shipwreck trail.

You must be at least 20 years old to hire a car in Cape Town, and surcharges may apply to drivers under 25 years old. In South Africa you drive on the left.

1. Carry loose change with you when travelling, as some of the motorways have stationed tolls. Look out for signs with a black “T” in a yellow circle which notify drivers of approaching tolls.

2. Don’t be alarmed if you see slower cars drive on the shoulder to let other car pass.

3. In Cape Town you’ll often find unregulated parking ‘attendants’ who will take money up-front and watch your car for you.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.