How Much It Costs to Get from Cape Town Airport to the City

Cape Town offers good value for transport compared to most international destinations. The South African Rand means that even premium options like private transfers are affordable for most international visitors. Here is what to expect.

To City Center / V&A Waterfront (20 km)

• Uber/Bolt: 200-350 ZAR ($11-19 USD).
• Metered taxi: 300-450 ZAR ($16-25 USD).
• Pre-booked transfer: $20-35 USD.
• MyCiTi bus: 50-100 ZAR ($3-6 USD).

Drive time: 20-35 minutes outside rush hour, up to 60 minutes during peak traffic.

To Camps Bay / Clifton (25 km)

• Uber/Bolt: 300-450 ZAR ($16-25 USD).
• Metered taxi: 400-550 ZAR ($22-30 USD).
• Pre-booked transfer: $30-45 USD.

Drive time: 30-45 minutes. The route passes through the city and along the stunning Atlantic Seaboard.

To Sea Point / Green Point (22 km)

• Uber/Bolt: 250-400 ZAR ($14-22 USD).
• Pre-booked transfer: $25-40 USD.

Drive time: 25-40 minutes.

To Stellenbosch (35 km)

• Uber/Bolt: 500-800 ZAR ($28-44 USD).
• Pre-booked transfer: $50-75 USD.

Drive time: 30-45 minutes on the N2 and R44.

To Franschhoek (75 km)

• Uber/Bolt: 700-1100 ZAR ($39-61 USD). Drivers may be reluctant for this distance.
• Pre-booked transfer: $60-90 USD.

Drive time: 60-80 minutes.

To Simon's Town / Fish Hoek (40 km)

• Uber/Bolt: 500-700 ZAR ($28-39 USD).
• Pre-booked transfer: $45-65 USD.

Drive time: 40-55 minutes via the M3.

To Hermanus (120 km)

• Pre-booked transfer: $90-130 USD. This is the practical option for this distance.
• Uber: Technically possible but expensive and drivers may decline.

Drive time: 90-120 minutes.

What affects the price

Traffic is the main variable for metered taxis (the meter keeps running). For Uber, Bolt, and transfers, the price is fixed regardless of traffic. Cape Town rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-6:30 PM on weekdays) adds significant time to the N2 airport route.

Surge pricing affects Uber and Bolt during high-demand periods. This is more common at rush hours than at the airport specifically.

Vehicle type matters. Standard sedan rates are quoted above. UberXL or minivan transfers cost 20-40% more but are necessary for larger groups.

Value perspective

For context, a 20 km transfer from a European airport to a city center would typically cost 40-70 EUR. The same distance in Cape Town costs $15-35 USD. The quality of service is comparable - the vehicles are clean and the roads are good. Cape Town is one of the best-value airport transfer destinations for international travelers.