All your pre-visit and on-location info, from visas and vaccinations to weather and when to go. As a guide, both the weather and the crowds heat up over Christmas, and many visitors can visit visa-free
There are 11 official languages spoken in South Africa, but English is the most widespread in Cape Town
GMT+2
South African rand (ZAR)
+27
Summers (November to February) are warm and temperate, with temperatures between 20C/68F and 24C/75F – but blustery south-easterly winds can be quite aggressive. Winter (peaking June-August) is rainy season in Cape Town, with temperatures ranging from about 8C/46F to 18C/64F accompanied by torrential downpours
November through February is peak season, but Christmas crowds can make traffic unbearable and prices for hotels and apartment rentals typically skyrocket. October and March tend to have great weather and are less chaotic
Passports must be valid for more than 30 days past the visit, and must have two blank pages. Passport holders of these listed countries do not require a visa for a visit of 90 days or less
South Africa requires proof of Yellow Fever vaccination, only if traveling from a country with a risk of Yellow Fever
Types C, D, M, and N (two- and three-prong)
Not mandatory, but a 10% is welcome for most hospitality and services – and expected in higher-end establishments
Dial 107 (112 from a cell phone) for general emergencies, 10111 for police, or 10177 for an ambulance. You may also want to check out the Tourism Board’s advice on health and safety in the city
The Cape Town Tourism office at the corner of Burg and Castle streets in the heart of the CBD is full of friendly faces, helpful brochures, and even an interactive touch-screen kiosk to help you plan your next move. There are other branches across the city and suburbs as well, find the full list here
Airlines and airports: Cape Town International Airport is serviced by many international airlines from Europe and the Middle East
Transfers: The MyCiti bus leaves the airport every 20 minutes for the city centre between 5:30am and 9.30pm, and costs 90 rand in addition to a one-time 35 rand fee for the MyConnect card. Uber is a popular option, with rides to the city centre costing around 200 rand, or you can investigate hiring a car here
Public transport: A commuter train network links the suburbs to the city centre, while an extensive (if not always punctual) MyCiti bus network can take you anywhere from the airport to Table Mountain to various neighbourhoods in and around the city
Cycle hire: Upcycles has drop-and-go stations across the city. Rates are 80 rand per hour, 120 rand for two hours, 160 rand for three hours, 240 rand for half day, and 300 rand for full day, including locks and helmets
Cabs: Instead of hailing a cab off the street, you should opt for reliable taxi services like Rikki’s or Excite – but most Capetonians prefer to just use Uber