Car Rental Cape Town for Tourists from R250/Day
Visiting Cape Town from the UK, Germany, Australia, the US, or anywhere else? Your foreign driver's licence is valid in South Africa. Rent with CapeDrive from R250/day — full insurance included, 15 minutes from the airport, no terminal surcharges.
Cape Town is best explored by car. The Cape Peninsula, the Winelands, the West Coast, the Garden Route — none of them do justice on a tour bus. Self-drive is the way.
Foreign licences accepted
UK, EU, US, AU and more
Full insurance included
No confusing upgrades
15 min from CTIA
Quick Uber from arrivals
4.9/5 rated
94+ customer reviews
Why Self-Drive is the Best Way to See Cape Town
Cape Town's greatest experiences are spread across a 200km radius. The city itself is compact, but the reason people fall in love with the Cape is the surrounding landscape — mountain passes, wine valleys, whale-watching cliffs, penguin colonies, and one of the world's great coastal drives. No tour bus runs on your schedule. No transfer service waits while you linger at a wine estate.
Cape Peninsula — 180km loop
Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach penguins — this is a full-day self-drive that tour buses can't replicate. You stop when you want, stay as long as you like.
Cape Winelands — 2 to 3 days
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl. 300+ wine estates spread across mountain valleys. A rental car is the only sensible way to explore this region properly.
Hermanus & Overberg — day trip
The whale-watching capital of South Africa (June–November). The cliff walk, Gansbaai shark cage diving, and the Hemel-en-Aarde wine valley are all within 2 hours of Cape Town.
West Coast — wildflowers & lagoons
Langebaan Lagoon, Paternoster, the West Coast National Park. Best in August–September for wildflowers. A spectacular, easy drive up the R27 from our Bloubergstrand office.
How to Collect Your Rental Car as a Tourist
Book Before You Fly
Submit your booking request from home. We confirm within 60 minutes and send your collection details.
Land at Cape Town Airport
Clear customs, collect your luggage. CTIA is well-organised with clear signage in English.
Uber to Our Office (15 min)
Uber and metered taxis are available from arrivals. Our office is a quick R120–R150 ride away. We send you a map pin.
Collect & Drive
5-minute paperwork, vehicle inspection, and you're on your way. Cape Town awaits.
Tourist Rental Rates
| Vehicle | Daily | Weekly | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | R250 | R1,500 | Full insurance, 100km/day |
| Compact | R300 | R1,800 | Full insurance, 100km/day |
| Sport | R350 | R2,100 | Full insurance, 100km/day |
| SUV | R450 | R2,700 | Full insurance, 150km/day |
R3,900 refundable cash deposit on collection. Deposit returned within 14 days. R290 once-off contract fee.
What International Tourists Need to Bring
Required Documents
- Valid foreign driver's licence
UK, EU, US, AU, NZ and most international licences accepted
- Your passport
Current and valid
- Accommodation confirmation
Hotel booking, Airbnb, or address in South Africa
- Bank statement
For deposit refund processing — any recent statement works
Payment on Collection
- R3,900 refundable deposit
Cash, card, or EFT. Returned in 14 days.
- First rental payment
Daily rate × number of days (or first month)
- R290 contract fee
Once-off. Covers contract processing.
Tourist Car Rental — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive in South Africa on my home country licence?
Yes. South Africa accepts valid foreign driver's licences for short-term visits (up to 12 months). You do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP), though carrying one alongside your home licence is occasionally helpful at roadblocks. UK, EU, Australian, US, and most other international licences are accepted.
Do I drive on the left or right in South Africa?
South Africa drives on the LEFT — the same as the UK, Australia, India, and Japan. If you're coming from a right-hand-drive country (USA, most of Europe), give yourself 20–30 minutes on quieter roads to adjust before joining highways. It becomes natural quickly.
Is it safe to rent a car and self-drive as a tourist in Cape Town?
Yes. Cape Town is very tourist-friendly by car. The main tourist routes — Cape Peninsula, Winelands, West Coast — are well-signposted and straightforward to drive. Standard precautions apply: keep doors locked in slow traffic in city areas, don't leave valuables visible, and avoid unfamiliar areas after dark. During the day, the vast majority of Cape Town is safe and easy to navigate.
What documents do international tourists need to rent?
You'll need: (1) your valid foreign driver's licence, (2) your passport, (3) proof of where you're staying (hotel confirmation or Airbnb booking is fine), (4) proof of banking. A R3,900 refundable cash deposit is required on collection — this is significantly less than the credit card holds required by airport chains.
How do I get from Cape Town Airport to your office?
Our Bloubergstrand office is 15 minutes from Cape Town International Airport (CTIA). Take an Uber or metered taxi from the arrivals hall — the ride costs roughly R120–R150. We'll send you our exact address and a location pin when you confirm your booking. We coordinate collection around your flight and accommodate delays at no charge.
Is a manual or automatic car better for tourists?
If you're not comfortable with manual transmission, request an automatic — we have them available. If you're used to driving on the right, an automatic is one less thing to think about while adjusting to left-hand driving. Mention your preference when you submit your booking request.
Useful Guides for Visitors
Explore Our Car Rental Services
Find the perfect rental solution for your Cape Town adventure
Affordable Car Rental
Best value car rentals in Cape Town from R250/day with full insurance included
Airport Car Rental
Convenient car rental near Cape Town Airport from R250/day. Just 15 mins away.
All Car Rental Services
Browse our complete range of services and helpful guides
Automatic Car Rental
Easy-to-drive automatic cars from R300/day, perfect for tourists