Car hire - Cape Town

Located at the base of Table Mountain, Cape Town is a coastal city that has become an important tourist destination for South Africa. It is the second most-populated metropolis in the country after Johannesburg and has a truly multicultural vibe. Whether it is the cultural attractions and golden beaches of the city itself or the wine region of Stellenbosch close by, there’s lots to see in and around Cape Town.

Hiring a car will allow you to make the most of your visit to Cape Town. You’ll probably find a lot of your time is spent driving along the M3 expressway, which connects various districts from the City Bowl to the suburbs in the south.

When it comes to hiring a car in Cape Town you can opt to collect it at the airport or at locations in the city. If you choose Cape Town International Airport (CPT), you’ll have the biggest selection of car hire firms and vehicles on offer, but do not rule out the city centre if it would better suit your needs.

Either way, you can review all of your options by using the Holiday Autos booking tool. At the airport, there are more than ten car hire firms to choose from and they have all been rated excellent or very good by our customers. Add to this the 24/7 support and free cancellation should you need it and you can guarantee yourself peace of mind.

All of the cars arranged for pick-up at the airport can be collected easily, as the car hire desks are within the terminal. Whether you are disembarking from an international or domestic flight, you’ll find the representatives in arrivals.

Several car hire companies, including Budget, Europcar and Hertz, offer city centre pick-ups. As they are all in slightly different locations, it’s worth seeing which one would best suit your needs prior to booking.

Once you’ve got your hire car you’ll be free to explore everything that Cape Town has to offer. Those who are interested in nature will be amazed by the imposing Table Mountain, which can be scaled by cable car, and enchanted by the green spaces, such as Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Green Point Park.

If you’re looking for something a little more urban, then it’s not hard to find the colourful nature of Cape Town’s people splashed all over the walls. The former township of Bo-Kaap is alive with multi-coloured houses that pop in neon hues as you drive past. Also look out for street art, as it gives an insight into the lives of the city’s residents and their interests and beliefs.

Head to Hermanus if you love the sea and all the creatures that live in it. Just an hour and a half’s drive along the N2, this town on the southern coast of the Western Cape is the perfect spot from which to go on a different kind of safari. We’re talking whale watching and diving in caves inhabited by sharks. A whole watery world awaits.

Less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town along the N2 and R310 are the vineyards of the Stellenbosch region. Guided tours of the wineries are fascinating, but be sure to park up your hire car if you intend to do some tasting along the way. Several of the estates offer accommodation, which is the perfect solution.

Many countries have a classic road trip drive and South Africa is no exception. The nation’s epic journey is known as the Garden Route and Cape Town lies just half a day’s drive off it. Stretching for 240kms, you’ll travel from Mossel Bay to Storms River and see some of South Africa’s most beautiful scenery along the way.

To take the road less travelled and reap the rewards, follow the R27 up the western side of South Africa until you get to Paternoster. You’ll pass through the West Coast National Park and find yourself in one of the oldest fishing villages in the country less than two hours from Cape Town. Here you’ll find whitewashed cottages centred around a pretty bay and perfect tranquillity.