Useful tips for Cape Town bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Cape Town. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Cape Town. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Cape Town highlights.
Taking a taxi in Cape Town is always a fun experience. You"re never quite sure of exactly what vehicle you"ll get and the driver could come from anywhere on the continent. In some taxis the doors seem certain to fall off, the suspension is none existent, and the ripped seats indicate that lions were ex-passengers. Other taxis are modern and clean, and come with all the comfort you could require. So how do they ensure the latter and not the former?
In Cape Town most private taxis charge a similar fare of around US$1 per kilometre. So why do taxis vary so much in quality? Firstly, while all vehicles require a roadworthiness certificate, the requirements aren"t rigorous and a certificate is easily bought if the car is in terrible condition. Secondly, taxi permits are privately sold. So in effect, anyone can obtain a permit. The result is that some taxis look like they"ve flipped by an elephant and then torn apart by a vicious pack of hyenas.
When you are pre booking a taxi you can specify the quality of a vehicle. Larger taxi companies generally only have better quality cars, and some companies only operate a new and modern fleet. You can compare prices and services on our website by checking out the details of different Cape Town taxi companies like Grab a Cab on Portefield Road, Excite Taxis on 285 Lower Main Road, and Cabs4u in Good wood.
It"s straightforward to hail a taxi in Cape Town but it"s important to consider the following. Firstly, while there are a number of taxi ranks in Cape Town centre, outside the city it"s rare that you will see a taxi for hire. Taxis distinguish themselves with a taxi sign on the door, but they could be any type of vehicle so aren"t the easiest to spot from a distance. When you hail a taxi you"ll need to negotiate a price with the driver, so it"s important you have a good idea of how much it should cost beforehand.
At night-time in Cape Town there are a large number of illegal taxis who will offer journeys for reduced prices. Under no circumstances should you take an illegal taxi. It"s dangerous, especially after dark. All taxi drivers should have their permit on display. If you can"t see it then asks to see it, and don"t accept excuses.
The African Taxi has a confusing name. It"s called a taxi, but this is a shared public transport option that is phenomenally cheap. Seating 16 passengers, but often squeezing in more than 20, these minivans are often wrecks on wheels. Drivers blare unfeasibly loud dance music and charge around like racing car drivers. This is the cheapest way of getting around Cape Town, but it"s not a comfortable journey. Take one once for the local experience, and then stick to something a little more upmarket.
Cab services are one way to get around Cape Town. If you are looking for other ways to travel around Cape Town, take a look at car rentals with driver in Cape Town or mini bus hire in Cape Town options. For more information and tips about South Africa, visit the travel services page. Get ideas for trips in and around Cape Town on the transport in Western Cape page.
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