Cheap Car Rental in Cape Town from $13

Travel Information

Languages

IsiZulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English

Currency

ZAR

Drive on

Left-hand side

Country code

+27

Average car rental price

$33 per day

Average car rental length

11 days

Speed limit within town

60 km/h or 37 mph

Speed limit out of town

100 - 120 km/h or 62 - 75 mph

Acceptable limit of BAC

0.05%

Rating

9.4 / 10

Average gas price

$1.23 per liter or $4.66 per gallon

Lowest gas price

$1.12 per liter or $4.25 per gallon

Highest gas price

$1.44 per liter or $5.46 per gallon

Why rent a car in Cape Town?

Cape Town is a great city for renting a car. Mixing European and African influences when it comes to architecture, cuisine, and lifestyle, it really is a place like no other. It has often been named as the number one travel destination in the world for a reason. Having your own ride will let you see this vast and diverse city in its fullness, as well as to travel to nearby beaches and nature reserves.

One-Way Car Rentals in Cape Town

The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Cape Town and drop off in another city include:

From Cape Town to Port Elizabeth - 220 offers from $18.61 per day
From Cape Town to Johannesburg - 246 offers from $18.61 per day
From Cape Town to George - 178 offers from $18.61 per day
From Cape Town to Windhoek - 47 offers from $39.67 per day
From Cape Town to Hermanus - 12 offers from $17.07 per day

Top ways to enter Cape Town

Cape Town Airport. Among the five busiest airports in Africa, Cape Town Airport serves more than 10 million passengers every year. The airport hosts many domestic flights, as well as flights to other African countries, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The airport is located about 20 km (12 mi) east of the city center. Cape Town has frequently been named the best airport in Africa.
George Airport. A small and cozy airport that only has domestic flights, George Airport is located in a beautiful holiday spot on the Indian Ocean and is about a five hours drive east of Cape Town.
Port Elizabeth Airport. Although it is an eight-hour drive between the two cities, Port Elizabeth Airport is one of the closest international airports to Cape Town. It serves about 1.6 million travelers every year.
By public transportation. If you’re arriving in Cape Town by public transportation, you can also conveniently pick up a rental car at car rental centers in Cape Town’s city center or in neighborhoods like Parow and Rondebosch.

City facts

Located at the very southwestern edge of Africa, Cape Town enjoys a pleasant Mediterranean climate. The winters are mild and humid while summers are warm and wet (as South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, the summers here last from December to March).

Cape Town is a city of great linguistic diversity. Afrikaans, a language similar to Dutch, Xhosa, a local, tonal Bantu language, and English are all spoken widely, and a number of other African languages can also be heard in the city.

Top sights and activities

Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter). Famous for its colorful houses, Bo-Kaap is an area where Malay Muslims lived in Cape Town. Traces of those times can still be found throughout the neighborhood in things like the Nurul Islam Mosque and the unique food sold on street corners. Many places in Bo-Kaap also offer stunning views of the rest of Cape Town.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Home to many unique flowers and plants from such varied biotypes as savanna, jungle, and desert, this green area is often named among the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world. In addition to the flora, the botanical garden also hosts frequent outdoor exhibitions, many of them dedicated to the native African cultures of South Africa and its neighboring countries.
Surfing. Cape Town has some of the best surfing waves on the planet. There are opportunities for surfers of every level - starters will appreciate the more relaxed Muizenberg beach where it is also easy to find an instructor while pros will be glad to challenge themselves at Kalk Bay. There are also great options for kitesurfing, snorkeling, and many other water sports in and around Cape Town.
Science Center. The museum-like center was created to promote scientific literacy and is one of the most interesting places to visit in Cape Town. Very interactive, it has a large number of exhibitions, scientific riddles, and fun technology to play with, making it an especially great place to visit for children and young adults. The center is in the Observatory neighborhood, named after the South African Astronomical Observatory which can also be visited.
V&A Waterfront. Located in South Africa’s oldest working harbor, the 300-acre Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a hip, entertainment complex with over 450 fashion, homeware and grocery stores, restaurants, and a 13-screen cinema.
District Six Museum. One of the most interesting in the country, this museum is named after the inner city area whose inhabitants of various races resisted the official apartheid policy for many years. Finally, they were forcibly separated in the 1970s, with most of the neighborhood being razed, but the memories of the area survived and the museum was opened in 1994 to document both the aforementioned struggle and the everyday life of the district’s former inhabitants. Centrally located, the museum is very near the Castle of Good Hope to the northeast and the South African National Gallery to the southwest.

Traffic and parking

Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 120 km/h (74.5 mph) on freeways, 100 km/h (62 mph) on any public road outside of an urban area that is not a freeway, and 60 km/h (37 mph) on any public road within an urban or built-up area.
When putting fuel in a car in Cape Town, the driver is required to remain in the car. Just park in the right area and the employee of the fuel station will soon come to you to find out which type of fuel and how much of it would you like to have.
The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% per 100ml of blood and 0.24% per 1000 ml of breath for experienced drivers and is 0.00% for novice drivers. Exceeding the allowed limit can lead to large fines, deportation, or imprisonment.
Proof of insurance and the car’s registration needs to be in the car whenever you’re driving.
If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.

Toll roads

There are many toll roads in South Africa. However, unlike in most of the world, no payments are made on the highway, neither in cash nor by credit card. Instead, a vehicle is identified either by an electronic tag that is on the vehicle or by the vehicle’s licence plate number.

Many rental cars are equipped with an e-tag that will be used for making toll payments. Some rental car providers will charge an additional fee for this service. Ask your car rental provider about it beforehand.

The exact fee for using the toll roads depends on the type of road. See more information about the latest toll road fees on here.

If your rental car is not equipped with an e-tag, the bill for using the toll roads will be sent to your car rental provider. Due to delays in the South African toll road system, you could be billed and charged after the end of your rental period.

Ideas for day trips

Table Mountain. Once an important reference point for early seafarers, and offering the best views of Cape Town, Table Mountain is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It’s possible to go up the mountain with a cable car, but if you’re up for a challenge, climbing is also possible. The mountain is home to a really unique animal, the rock rabbit (also known as hyrax, or, as the locals call it, “Dassie”). It looks similar to a rodent, but its closest relatives are actually elephants and manatees.
Boulders. A small, but popular beach sheltered by huge boulders, Boulders is famous for its permanent inhabitants, the African penguins that have a colony there. Boulders Beach is part of Table Mountain National Park that also has conversation programs for other animals like caracals, ostriches, and the klipspringer antelopes. Boulders Beach is about 45 km (27 mi) south of Cape Town.
De Hoop Nature Reserve. Only accessible by car, De Hoop is a remote and pristine natural area about three hours drive east of Cape Town. Animals that live here include baboons, elands, leopards, and many others, but the reserve’s number one attraction is the Southern Right Whales who pass its beaches every year. Combine a visit here to the nearby, and equally interesting, Bontebok National Park.
Robben Island. Located just off the coast of Cape Town, Robben Island is well-known as a former colony of political prisoners during South Africa’s Apartheid era. Nelson Mandela, the future president of South Africa and symbol of the peace movement around the world, was held on it for 18 years. Nowadays, the island has been turned into a museum and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can only reach the island by ferry and it’s not possible to bring a car, but you can park it at the port and pick it up upon returning. The number of visitors permitted to visit the island daily is limited, so it’s a good idea to book tickets in advance.
Chapman’s Peak. Squeezed between the eponymous coastal peak and the ocean, Chapman's Peak Drive has frequently been mentioned among the most scenic drives on the planet. The drive is the approximately 10 km (6 miles) long portion of the Motorway M6, connecting Hout Bay in the north to Noordhoek in the south (there is also a lookout point on the way that’s facing the Atlantic). Located just a short drive from the center of Cape Town, Chapman’s Peak is also a very popular hiking area.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Cape Town is the Kia Picanto, although travelers also tend to choose the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota Corolla a lot. The most popular rental car types in Cape Town are the mini, economy, and compact classes.

Further destinations

For more about traveling around South Africa with a rental car, check out our complete guide.

Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area. Named after a mountain range, Groot Winterhoek is a protected nature area about a two-hour drive northeast of Cape Town. The reserve is made up of stunning peaks, wide waterfalls, and rock formations, and has many opportunities for trekking and hiking. There is interesting rock art dating back millennia to be found, as well as a conservation project with animals like klipspringers, leopards, and jackal buzzards. Accommodation can be found, including at forest stations inside the park (although it’s a good idea to book in advance). Visit Groot Winterhoek’s official website to learn more.
Port Elizabeth. A picturesque city known for its museums, beaches, and large natural areas, Cape Town is one of the nicest and most relaxing places in the country. It takes about eight hours to reach it by car, with 700 km (430 mi) to cover. The long distance is well worth it, though.
Namibia. A northern neighbor that only got its independence from South Africa in 1990, Namibia impresses with its long, sparsely populated beaches, and more than anything, the moon-like landscapes of the Namib and Kalahari Deserts. Like South Africa, Namibia is one of the most accessible countries of Africa. Luderitz, its nearest coastal city, is about an eleven-hour drive north of Cape Town. Do keep in mind that you’ll be crossing a national border, so first, ask your rental car provider if it is permitted. Alternatively, you can drop off your rental car in South Africa and pick up another in Namibia. Also, check to see if you require a visa to enter Namibia and the process for obtaining one if so.
Botswana. With both the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari Desert, and many national parks Botswana is one of the most diverse countries in South Africa. The country is especially fascinating to experience if you have your own ride. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a nature reserve located in both South Africa and Botswana, is about 11 hours away from Cape Town. Do keep in mind that you’ll be crossing a national border, so first ask your rental car provider permits it. Alternatively, you can drop off one rental car in South Africa and pick up another in Botswana. Also, check to see if you require a visa to enter Botswana and the process for obtaining one if so.

Car rental prices in Cape Town

Station wagons - from $63 per day
Large cars - from $31 per day
Medium cars - from $15 per day
Vans - from $47 per day
Premium cars - from $58 per day
Small cars - from $13 per day
SUVs - from $33 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Try these tricks to get a great car rental deal in Cape Town:

Compare the rates of different rental car providers
Book your rental car well in advance
Plan your route before you go
Know your fuel and mileage requirements
Visit Cape Town when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Frankfurt is the cheapest in May when renting a car is about 40% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 70% cheaper than renting a car in November.

Top 20 cities near Cape Town

Stellenbosch from $19.47 per day

23.8 km / 14.8 miles away
Strand from $21.72 per day

27.6 km / 17.1 miles away
Hermanus from $19.54 per day

77.4 km / 48.1 miles away
George from $19.38 per day

348.3 km / 216.4 miles away
Knysna

409.5 km / 254.5 miles away
Port Elizabeth from $16.12 per day

646.8 km / 401.9 miles away
Sishen

818.1 km / 508.3 miles away
Kimberley from $14.73 per day

819.3 km / 509.1 miles away
East London from $18.53 per day

861.2 km / 535.1 miles away
Bloemfontein from $14.73 per day

908.3 km / 564.4 miles away
Mthatha from $17.08 per day

979 km / 608.3 miles away
Margate from $12.89 per day

1,154.3 km / 717.2 miles away
Pietermaritzburg from $14.87 per day

1,212.7 km / 753.5 miles away
Johannesburg from $13.47 per day

1,270.9 km / 789.7 miles away
Durban from $14.02 per day

1,277 km / 793.5 miles away
Centurion from $15.25 per day

1,289.7 km / 801.4 miles away
Pretoria from $13.99 per day

1,302 km / 809 miles away
Ermelo

1,370.1 km / 851.3 miles away
Richards Bay from $14.93 per day

1,405 km / 873 miles away
Nelspruit from $14.97 per day

1,537.2 km / 955.2 miles away

Top 19 locations near Cape Town

Cape Town Airport from $19.42 per day
Downtown from $20.12 per day

17.4 km / 10.8 miles away
Cape Town Victoria & Alfred Waterfront from $19.62 per day

17.7 km / 11 miles away
Cape Town Franschhoek

48 km / 29.8 miles away
George Airport from $19.38 per day

348.3 km / 216.4 miles away
Port Elizabeth Airport from $16.12 per day

646.8 km / 401.9 miles away
Port Elizabeth Rhodes University - Grahamstown from $24.70 per day

736 km / 457.3 miles away
Sishen Airport

818.1 km / 508.3 miles away
Kimberley Airport from $14.73 per day

819.3 km / 509.1 miles away
East London Airport from $19.47 per day

861.2 km / 535.1 miles away
Bloemfontein Airport from $15.46 per day

908.3 km / 564.4 miles away
Downtown from $14.10 per day

1,257.8 km / 781.6 miles away
Johannesburg Lanseria Airport from $14.62 per day

1,265.1 km / 786.1 miles away
Johannesburg Airport from $20.13 per day

1,270.9 km / 789.7 miles away
Tambo International Airport from $14.99 per day

1,270.9 km / 789.7 miles away
King Shaka International Airport from $14.02 per day

1,277 km / 793.5 miles away
Pretoria Hatfield from $17.09 per day

1,302 km / 809 miles away
Wonderboom Airport from $18.20 per day

1,308.6 km / 813.1 miles away
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport from $14.97 per day

1,537.2 km / 955.2 miles away

What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Cape Town?

Car rental prices in Cape Town vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.

Average rental costs per day in Cape Town

$31.21

January

$38.79

February

$36.19

March

$34.18

April

$35.42

May

$35.41

June

$39.91

July

$35.68

August

$31.47

September

$32.90

October

$32.07

November

$36.73

December

The cheapest month to rent a car in Cape Town is January (when prices average $31.21 per day). This is 11% cheaper than the yearly average and 22% cheaper than renting in July (when prices average $39.91).

This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.

What’s the usual rental length in Cape Town?

How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in January, the average renter keeps their car for 14 days, and in April, they keep their car for 8 days.

Average number of rental days in Cape Town

14

January

11

February

10

March

8

April

8

May

10

June

10

July

9

August

10

September

10

October

13

November

13

December

What's the most popular month to rent a car in Cape Town?

Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Cape Town is January, and the least popular is June.

Monthly searches in Cape Town by pick-up date relative to the average

182%

January

158%

February

123%

March

77%

April

56%

May

44%

June

53%

July

70%

August

76%

September

86%

October

116%

November

159%

December

Car rental information

Car rental locations	16
Airport locations	1
Popular suppliers	First Car Rental, Hertz, Carwiz, Europcar, GreenMotion
Popular car categories	Small cars, SUVs, Medium cars, Vans
Lowest price	$13 per day
Cheapest supplier	Europcar

Most popular car models of rental suppliers

Rental Supplier	Model	Doors	Luggage	Type
First Car Rental	Suzuki Celerio	5	1	Small cars
First Car Rental	Proton X50	4	2	SUVs
Hertz	Suzuki Swift	4	2	Small cars
Firefly	Toyota Agya	5	1	Small cars
Europcar	Volkswagen Polo	5	2	Small cars
First Car Rental	Nissan Almera	5	2	Medium cars
Hertz	Volkswagen Polo	5	1	Small cars
Carwiz	Renault Kwid	5	1	Small cars
First Car Rental	Toyota Quest	4	2	Large cars
Hertz	Toyota Agya	5	1	Small cars

Our customers' reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.

VV

Belgium

Volkswagen Polo

11/9/24

Great garden route + capetown! Use a fitting car for safari parks

MC

Australia

Volkswagen T-Cross

10/6/24

We drove along Chapmans Peak Drive continuing to The Cape Of Good Hope. We came home via the Steenberg Wine Estate for lunch at Bistro Sixteen82. We really enjoyed being able to see things independently.

LB

South Africa

Suzuki Swift

9/20/24

Driving on route to Hermanus and Gansbaai - the views and sceneries were amazing

AG

Turkey

Toyota Corolla

5/15/24

GW

South Africa

Renault Kwid

5/3/24

Just drove locally

LV

South Africa

Suzuki Swift

4/16/24

Cape Town overall great, beautiful had a lovely trip

BO

Ireland

Nissan X-Trail

3/26/24

SA is perfect for a driving holiday - so much ground to cover, places to see, landscapes etc. Many excellent roads, great places to stop en route (cafes, farmers markets, attractions etc) as well as the usual - parks, reserves etc. Driving safety is mid-range, plenty of dodgy drivers out there, and lots of road works that add delays. Security is important - had my card stolen at a fuel stop - but didn't feel unsafe otherwise. Driving only in daylight and being aware of surroundings is important.

MV

Netherlands

Toyota Hilux

3/24/24

Namibia ans South Africa are beautiful to drive through in an 4x4

JB

Spain

Mitsubishi Xpander

2/18/24

great trip.

GM

Italy

Kia Picanto

2/1/24

Great

MH

Austria

Suzuki Swift

1/25/24

The penguin colony in Bettys Bay is just amazing! Go there late afternoon.

NN

South Africa

Suzuki Celerio

1/20/24

To be with family after almost a year without seeing them. Trips to different beaches in Camps Bay, Blouberg- Eerstesteen Resort for picnic and swimming and Muizenberg beach.

SF

South Africa

Honda Amaze

1/3/24

Quad biking at Atlantis dunes.

KM

South Africa

Honda Amaze

1/2/24

Adventures are the best.

GW

South Africa

Toyota Corolla

12/9/23

There for business so very short

JT

Sweden

Kia Picanto

12/3/23

South Africa is always fun and fantastic to visit and the car functioned flawlessly.

AA

Saudi Arabia

BMW 3 Series

8/19/23

Overall good

LK

South Africa

Volkswagen T-Cross

7/22/23

It was a holiday to celebrate my son. It was easy to rent or hire a car than to pay a cab to get to where you’re going. I way cheaper to rent a car.

CM

Australia

Honda Amaze

6/2/23

So much to do, having a car in the second week out of Camps Bay was a lot better than 1st week with no car from Kalk Bay.

MJ

South Africa

Nissan Almera

5/29/23

In Cape Town there's no shortage of good cuisine and entertainment however, unfortunately I was robbed (car rental vehicle broken into) and all my possessions stolen. A police report has been filed and incident report to thrifty. I hope discover cars will email/contact me regarding the incident, and possibly help in some way to recover from the losses.

JB

Australia

Renault Kwid

5/14/23

Cape Town and surroundings are blessed with incredible natural beauty.

AH

Australia

Suzuki Celerio

5/3/23

Great scenery

RR

Australia

Nissan Almera

4/19/23

Great car , great staff.

BM

Austria

Volkswagen Polo

4/18/23

JG

Australia

Toyota Corolla Quest

3/26/23

Stellenbosch is a beautiful town

RF

United Kingdom

Hyundai Venue

3/24/23

Golf and a visit to table mountain.

WM

United States of America (USA)

Suzuki Swift

2/9/23

Garden route, Cape Agulhas, Mossel Bay, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Stormsriver. Stunning coastal scenery. Nice beaches. Good hikes. Great restaurant meals at great prices. Great sunset sail in Knysna. Good day safari at the Garden Route Game Lodge with interesting animal rescue/conservation initiatives. (for a “real” safari, one should go to Kruger national park north of Johannesburg but we saw and learned about many animals)

AR

Australia

Suzuki Swift

1/17/23

Main purpose was to attend my daughter's wedding - what could be more amazing! Otherwise felt areas are generally starting to deteriorate - more beggars than ever, more rubbish in the streets, more expensive, service levels poor, can't trust the water, ridiculous blackouts. Spent 3 weeks in KZN prior to our visit to the Cape - will never return. It was heartbreakingly appalling. Don't let the Cape follow suit otherwise you can kiss goodbye yo your tourism industry. SA needs to pull itself together and click out corrupt leaders and start to rebuild its crumbling infrastructure. Otherwise Chinese and Russians will move in and then you're really in trouble. Not sure if we will ever return. Lots of other beautiful places to visit in the world without the same concerns, especially from a security point of view. We love this country and are deeply saddened and concerned by the direction it is heading. (I also used to live in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and the similarities are far too apparent). Good luck.

CJ

New Zealand

Kia Picanto

1/10/23

Still on Vacation.

BT

Réunion

VW Polo

1/8/23

Cape point was great.Everything was really worth it .Beaches Fish hoek.Simonstown.walk to Table Mountain.Muizenberg.Dixies restaurant.Old biscuit mill.

PG

Canada

Volkswagen Polo

1/2/23

Nature and Food

FP

Norway

Renault Kwid

12/29/22

Franshhoeck, fantastic days among the wineyard and great dining. All that beautiful nature. Spending one week in Hermanus on the fantastisc Misty Wave hotel. Spending time with our family that lives there. Trips around the cost and into the Hemmel und Arde valley. Ending everything with 24 hour instant visit to Cape Town city center. And then the meeting with Budgets guy Devin who smiled and asked us relevant questions. My man!

LS

South Africa

Hyundai i10 Grand

12/24/22

Awesome time with family not seen in years. Revisit old favorite spots

ML

United Kingdom

VW Kombi

12/18/22

Restaurants and wine farms all great. Kirstenbosch summer concert, rugby sevens, penguins at Bolders, Kalk Bay, Camps Bay beaches.

MC

United Kingdom

Volkswagen Polo

12/12/22

Hout Bay and surroundings had everything we needed. Recommend the red Cape Town tour buses.

PE

Netherlands

VW Polo

11/28/22

To many to tell !

WV

South Africa

Nissan Almera

11/27/22

Too many to share.

MN

South Africa

Hyundai i10 Grand

11/15/22

My top 3 of the trip would be: 1. Dunes 2. MOJO market 3. Boat cruise Having had the car rental made it easier as we were not restricted in time and could stop and go as we pleased.

SC

United Kingdom

Kia Picanto

11/4/22

Would get a bigger car for South Africa as some roads are offroad

NM

South Africa

Hyundai I10

11/2/22

Stellenbosch and Somerset West. Lourensford estate for wine lovers and the strand for beach bodies. Splendid experience.

SM

South Africa

Hyundai i10 Grand

10/17/22

I visited Langebaan and the surroundings. An excellent holiday destination to relax.

TM

South Africa

Hyundai i10 Grand

10/13/22

It's easy if you book before you're on vacation

MY

South Africa

Hyundai i10 Grand

9/11/22

Enjoyed tge car very much

MH

South Africa

Toyota Agya

9/2/22

I mostly used the vehicle to get to visiting family and friends. I did make a trip to Sutherland to visit SALT, the Southern African Large telescope, the Sutherland planetarium, and star gazing.

Photo 2 by Michael H. about renting a Toyota Agya in Cape Town (9/2/22)

Photo 3 by Michael H. about renting a Toyota Agya in Cape Town (9/2/22)

PH

United States of America (USA)

Hyundai Grand i10

8/30/22

Capetown is a marvel with diversity beyond measure. Navigating the city and the surrounding townships is not too complicated as with other metro areas.

YS

Israel

VW T5

8/30/22

had a very good experience with them renting a car i would definitely recommend

FL

South Africa

Hyundai i10 Grand

8/29/22

We saw a lot of different places and even when the weather wasn't great we enjoyed the Northern and Western Cape. It is beautiful.

EM

France

Nissan Almera

5/24/22

Great company, really honest. The car was in good state and approximately clean inside. We had a great and safe trip around western cap with its car. Thanks !

MK

South Africa

Kia Picanto

5/6/22

I would rent a car Definitely again from BLUU BUT a different vehicle, next time little bit higher from the ground, :-) Going over the cateye's on the highway scared me :-)

HF

Angola

Audi A3