Driving in the Western Cape
 

Hi All

I'm going to Cape Town at the end of the month. I'll be spending time in Cape Town, Franschhoek and Simon's Town.

I won't need a car for the Cape Town buiit but is is worth hiring something to drive to Franschhoek and Simon's Town? I've read that you can get private shuttles pretty cheaply so while a car (or Toyota Hilux :)) would certainly tick the convenience box, would the money be better spent elsewhere?

Cheers!

Last year I found hiring both easy and cheap. I had little desire to get involved with the implications of renting/driving/parking on our itinerary. TR in my signature block - F'hoek to CPT airport was ZAR900, or £50, in a shiny Merc LWB limo.

Depends on where you're staying in F'hoek and Simon's Town, of course. For us it was totally painless, especially as 2/3 locations had shuttle buses to local destinations.

I would go with the car rental, definitely for Franschhoek. Car rental in South Africa is cheap and easy, and I have never had any problems with the road conditions.

For that price you can rent a nice car (not a Mercedes, but still) for 4 or 5 days :D

Uber works well in Western Cape.

We used it in CT and Stellenbosch, also CPT-Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch-CT and CT-CPT. I'd have no hesitation using Uber for Franschhoek or Simon's Town.

The Uber website can calculate cost estimates.

Our transits were with Rikki's Taxis ... they too have a good website with trip estimates provided.

Ditto ... interesting pricing, but I'd still like to avoid driving if it fits our itinerary. We did a LOT of walking, which was probably less stressful than finding somewhere to park ;)

Why is it you think you won't need a car in Cape Town? Or are you staying with someone who has one

It's technically possible but going to make life hard

That's definitely a matter of preference, but ask any local and he will tell you that if you can't see your destination, you must drive there ;)

We spend a lot of time in the USA, so I know what you mean!

But we Elders will not be seduced into Uber-ing everywhere, largely because we don't have International cellphones :)

Thanks all. Uber is a choice I hadn’t thought of!

I’m not planning on doing that much to justify a car on CT. When I’m spending time outside is a different matter. TBH I’m leaning towards getting one. It’s my first time in SA so the flexibility is appealing.

Within Cape Town itself, Uber is a very solid and very good value option.

However, for exploring outside the citu, nothing beats having your own wheels.

If I were doing your proposed itinerary, I would use Uber for the days spent in the city and pick up a rental car when you're ready to get out and about.

Sold! There is a pickup location on Loop St so I’ll pick up a car when I’m ready to leave the city.

That's exactly what I did when I was there. I stayed 3 days in the Sea Point area, and I was certainly spending less on Ubers than I would habe on car rental and parking.

On the last morning I picked up a car and drove off down the Garden Route.

A big advantage as a solo traveller was not having to worry about having a couple of beers in the city.

I have a fairly cheap unlocked android phone. It makes international travel much easier. Beside Uber, it makes getting restaurant reservations, calling other businesses, etc much easier.

I'm aware of the capability. Indeed, my cheapo Jersey Telecom (PAYG) phone has 2 Sim slots. I've just never found it necessary, as an Elder leisure traveller, to get involved with the technology!

It's amazing how you can travel the World [60k miles a year?] without a cell-phone :D