Africa > South Africa > Cape Town (CPT)
The Car or no Car advice for Cape Town can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Cape Town ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Cape Town ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Cape Town?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚶♀️ When you do not need a car
In the central city, walking and taxis cover most needs. The V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, Company’s Garden, Long Street and the museums are close together. Moreover, the MyCiTi bus network links the airport, the Waterfront, Sea Point and several major suburbs. You can reach Green Point Stadium, many hotels, and parts of the beach front by bus alone. Taxis and ride-hail apps fill the gaps.
If you prefer guided sightseeing, coach tours run to Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, Robben Island ferries and central wineries in Constantia. In these cases, a car adds very little value.
🚆 Rail & Public Transport Around Cape Town
One of the most scenic train rides near Cape Town runs down the peninsula to Simon’s Town. The journey hugs the coast, offering frequent glimpses of ocean, cliffs, and sleepy coastal villages. It’s a lovely way to escape the city bustle and head toward the sea without driving. Once in Simon’s Town, you can continue toward Cape Point or spend time at the naval port and beaches nearby.
That said — rail services around Cape Town have been hit-and-miss over recent years. While some commuter sections remain fairly reliable, there are frequent maintenance delays, occasional long suspensions, and patchy scheduling. Because of that, many travellers combine rail with bus or minibus-taxi backup, or rely on private tours when exploring beyond stable commuter zones.
So if you’re heading to the coastline near Simon’s Town or False Bay, the train can absolutely work — but it’s wise to double-check timetables and weather alerts. Alternatively, buses and shared minibuses running from Cape Town’s centre often cover coastal and peninsula routes more consistently.
🚗 When a rental car really helps
However, renting a car becomes extremely useful once you look beyond the core. The Cape Peninsula is spread out. Places like Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Noordhoek, Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Simon’s Town sit far apart. Public transport to these areas is limited. With a car, you can follow the coast at your own pace, stop for viewpoints and small cafés, or linger on beaches at sunset.
Wine country also rewards driving. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are only an hour away. Villages, cellars, farms and viewpoints sit in quiet valleys. Buses do not reach many estates. So a car makes it easier to combine tastings with scenic loops. Just note that someone must stay sober at the wheel, or you book a driver for the day.
Further afield, the West Coast, Hermanus, Cape Agulhas and mountain passes all feel more accessible with your own vehicle.
🎯 Conclusion: Should you rent a car in Cape Town?
-
❌ Skip the car if you stay in the centre, use MyCiTi, and rely on taxis or guided tours.
-
❔ Consider renting a car in Cape Town if you want beaches, coastal drives, wine valleys or longer rural routes where public transport is thin.
