Cheap Car Rental in Cape Town

Car Rental in Cape Town: visiting The Mother City of South Africa

The Western Cape of South Africa was originally inhabited by the Koi and San people and is today one of the most popular tourist cities in South Africa. Hikers, adventure-seekers, beach-goers, and penguin-lovers alike love the city. Make the most of your visit by staying mobile and driving out into the Cape Winelands District as well! Book your car hire in Cape Town, South Africa today.

Depending on whether you’re coming for the heat or for comfortable exploring weather, Cape Town is ideal to visit from October to May. February is typically the hottest of these months.

There are 11 official languages in South Africa: Afrikaans, Swazi, Southern Ndebele, Northern and Southern Sotho, Xhosa, Tswana, Zulu, Tsonga, Venda, and English. Most South Africans speak English, at least as a second language; very few speak it as a native language.

Cape Town is in the South Africa Time Zone, UTC+2.

The currency in South Africa is the rand. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Only use ATMs inside of buildings, or ask checkout clerks at larger retail and grocery stores for cash back.

Cheap car hire in Cape Town is available in over 15 locations, including at the Cape Town International Airport (CPT), downtown, at the Southern Sun Waterfront, and in nearby downtown Stellenbosch.

There are a number of excellent day-trip drives in the Cape Town area. Tour the Cape Town Peninsula, for instance, by heading south toward Simon’s Town, 44 km south of the city. For a longer drive, head east along Highway 1 to Cape Winelands, 152 km away.

Visa Regulations

Citizens of over 60 countries can visit South Africa visa-free for between 30 and 90 days. Be sure that you have two blank pages in your passport and that your passport is valid for at least 30 days from your planned date of departure before you arrive in South Africa. Citizens of countries that do require a visa should be sure to apply for one from their homes, as no visas are issued at South African ports of entry.

Driving in Cape Town

Be alert for erratic drivers and quickly changing road conditions throughout South Africa, as well as for pedestrians and animals in the roads. Driving at night is generally not recommended, and driving defensively is a must. If you follow these tips, a rental car will dramatically improve your mobility and spontaneity throughout your visit to this gorgeous and exciting country.

Left-Hand Driving

• Like many southern African countries, traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road throughout South Africa.

Typical Speed Limits

• In the city: 60 km/h
• On major urban throughways: 80 km/h
• On major rural roads: 100 km/h
• On highways: 120 km/h
• Keep an eye out for speed signs that change speed limits unexpectedly.
• Traffic cameras and police regulate speed throughout the country.

Other Regulations

1. An international driver’s permit is recommended for all travellers to South Africa and required for all travellers whose licenses are not issued in English or any of South Africa’s other 10 official languages.
2. Almost 20% of South Africa’s national roads are electronically tolled.
3. The minimum driving age in Cape Town is 18 and most rental agencies will require that you are at least 20 years old in order to book a car. You’re likely to face young-driver surcharges if under the age of 25.

Other Tips

• When driving in Cape Town and other large South African cities, take extra precautions against loss of property: lock doors, roll up windows, and keep belongings out of sight while driving and whenever you park your car. Always leave enough space between your car and the next when stopped at red lights or stop signs, so that you can pass the car in front of you should a threatening situation arise.

Cheap Car Rental in Cape Town

Car hire in Cape Town typically starts as low as $14 a day. Here are some of the best deals in Cape Town:

• Hyundai I10 or similar (mini class) – $14/day
• Kia Rio or similar (economy class) – $16/day
• Nissan Almera or similar (compact class) – $17/day
• Toyota Avanza or similar (intermediate class) – $34/day
• Hyundai Tucson or similar (standard class) – $35/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in Cape Town

Local car rental agencies such as First Car Rental offer the cheapest prices in many locations throughout Cape Town, particularly the Cape Town International Airport, in downtown Cape Town, and in downtown Stellenbosch. Make sure you book at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance of your arrival date to secure these low prices.

You can often beat these low prices by taking advantage of 15%-off deals, which are typically easiest to get by booking your car through First Car’s location at the airport.

Internationally renowned companies such as Budget and Hertz can often beat First Car’s prices if you extend your rental period to over a week.