Getting around

This section contains information about: Public transport call centre | Getting around by bus | Getting around by car, shuttle and taxi | Getting around by rail | Getting around on foot | Public transport to public viewing areas (PVAs) | Special needs | Maps | Help planning your transport

Timing and position are as important off the field as on. Don’t get caught out while navigating Cape Town’s transport system. Read the guide below and ensure you are always onside!

24/7 public transport call centre

Call the 24/7 public transport call centre on 0800 656 463 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) should you have any transport queries. They are happy to help. Alternatively, call Cape Town Tourism on +27 (0)21 487 6800 for any queries or for help planning your trip.

Getting around by bus

Bus Rapid Transit - for the duration of the event

An airport-to-city bus service will run from the newly completed bus station at Cape Town International Airport, via the N2 and Eastern Boulevard, to the main transport hub in Hertzog Boulevard in the city centre. This service will operate 24 hours a day for the duration of the event, and will cost R50 one way. It will depart every six to 30 minutes, depending on demand.

The inner-city bus service, which will run 24 hours a day, will travel from the main transport hub in Hertzog Boulevard, along DF Malan Street, Table Bay Boulevard, Heerengracht, Coen Steytler Avenue, Long Street and Loop Street, Buitensingel, Orange Street, Buitenkant Street, Darling Street, Oswald Pirow Street, and back, to the main transport hub. This route also provides convenient access to numerous inner-city hotels, accommodation nodes, restaurants, entertainment areas, parking areas, and places of interest. Each journey will cost R8, and buses will arrive every 10 to 30 minutes.

The Waterfront and Sea Point bus service runs from the main transport hub in Hertzog Boulevard to Queen’s Beach in Sea Point, via the Waterfront . This service will operate until 02h00 daily for the duration of the World Cup event. The cost of the journey will be based on the distance travelled, and services will operate at regular intervals.

Bus Rapid Transit - on match days only

A free shuttle bus service for match ticket holders will run from the main transport hub in Hertzog Boulevard to Cape Town Stadium in Green Point. This service will operate from four hours before kick-off, until four hours after the final whistle. Buses will depart every three to five minutes, depending on demand.

A park-and-ride service with the same hours of operation as the shuttle bus will run from the University of Cape Town’s upper campus in Rondebosch to the main transport hub, and will be free of charge for match ticket holders.

A paid service, the Atlantic seaboard service, will run from Hout Bay to the main transport hub, via Camps Bay and Sea Point, to Cape Town Stadium. It will operate from four hours before kick-off, until 02h00. The route runs from Hangberg, along the Atlantic seaboard on Victoria Road and Western Boulevard, to the main transport hub. It provides convenient access to the park-and-ride schemes at Kronendal Primary School sports field off Andrews Road in Hout Bay, and at Camps Bay High School sports field off Victoria Road. The cost of the journey will be based on the distance travelled, as with the regular service, and buses will arrive at regular intervals.

The BRT has been designed as an environmental case study for the city. Air emissions will be substantially reduced through clean vehicle technologies and the reduction in the number of private vehicles on the roads is expected to contribute to this too. All vehicles in the system must meet EURO III emission requirements and incentives are in place to encourage use of EURO IV technologies.

The city is developing an application to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, to obtain carbon credits for the resulting reduced carbon dioxide emissions. An added benefit will be cleaner and clearer skies in Cape Town, due to the reduction in nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, carbon monoxide and particulates emissions. The system designers are investigating the use of solar photovoltaic cells at stations to generate the system’s electricity needs. Energy-efficient lighting and equipment will become standard on the system. In addition, recycling bins will be made available at each station.

The idea is to create a self-sustaining, safe, reliable and affordable transport system, funded by an increased number of users. The goal is to get 20% of commuters out of their cars and onto the BRT.

Visit the official Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) site for more information.

There is also a regular bus service that operates across the main areas of the city. However, this is mainly focused on commuter transport. For more information visit www.gabs.co.za

A great way to see the city is on the City Sightseeing bus. You can buy your ticket from the Cape Town Tourism visitor information centre in the city centre and hop on and off as you wish en route between many of the city’s main attractions. Tickets purchased on the bus include discount vouchers for a variety of stops along the way.

Getting around by car, shuttle and taxi

Please note that there will be no general spectator parking available at the stadium or immediate surrounds, while parking in the city centre is also severely limited. All spectators are advised and encouraged to use the identified park-and-ride facilities outside the city centre.

We drive on the left-hand side of the road, and our cars – rental cars included – are right-hand-drive vehicles. All distances, speed limits (and speedometers) are in kilometres. Wearing seat belts is compulsory. Using hand-held phones while driving is against the law.

The general speed limit on highways is 120km/h (75mph). On secondary roads it is 100km/h (60mph). In built-up areas it is usually 60km/h (35mph) unless otherwise indicated.

Any valid driver’s license is accepted provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is printed in English.

Shuttle services operate from kiosks in the arrivals halls at the airport. The buses transport visitors to Cape Town’s central transport hub in Hertzog Boulevard. From there, you will be able to take a metered taxi to your accommodation. The information kiosk attendants at the hub will assist you should you require any help. Use the Cape Town Tourism visitor information centre at the airport to book a shuttle or taxi.

All major car-hire companies operate from the airport and have city depots. Several small car-hire companies offer very competitive rates. You can book a car by contacting .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). You can also call Cape Town Tourism on +27 (0)21 487 6800 or make a booking at any Cape Town Tourism visitor information centre.

Minibus taxis operate across the city and offer convenient but sometimes hair-raisingly fast public transport along major routes. Boarding points are whenever and wherever you can get the driver to stop – usually with no warning! The upside is that minibus taxis are frequently available and inexpensive. There are no route maps for these services but you can’t miss the network across the city. For more information, ask us by email on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

If you are not feeling that adventurous, call for a metered taxi; ask about fares beforehand. Metered taxis will operate from the major rail stations and from the central transport hub in Hertzog Boulevard. On match days, catch a taxi to the transport hub and then a shuttle bus to the Cape Town Stadium. Contact Cape Town Tourism to ask about accredited companies or to make a booking.

Rikkis are mid-priced taxis that operate in and around the central city. Yellow Rikki phones are situated around the city, allowing you to place a free call to book a Rikki. Contact them on +27 (0)861 745 547 or contact Cape Town Tourism to make a booking.

Various companies run guided tours of the city and surrounds. Book one of the 400 assessed tour operators that are accredited by Cape Town Tourism. We will match you to an excellent operator that suits your needs. Email us now on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Getting around by rail

View the Metrorail train timetable from June 6 to July 17:

This train service operates across the main areas of the city. The central station is a short walk from the transport hub in Hertzog Boulevard. The 25 stations in the Cape Town metro area, with more than 7 000 parking bays, offer park-and-ride facilities. There is security at all major and minor stations.

Cape Metrorail recommends that train users start their journey three hours before kick-off.

The best tourism route is the Southern Line Rail Route, stretching from Cape Town to Simon’s Town. From Muizenberg the train travels along a scenic coastal route. Hop-on, hop-off tickets cost R12 for a one-way ticket and R25 for a return. Tickets are available for purchase from any station along the Southern Line. Pick up a useful map from Cape Town Tourism.

Trains will run at least every hour from 04h00 to 01h00 on all days during the World Cup. For more information visit www.capemetrorail.co.za.

Walking

The best way to soak up the festive atmosphere and absorb South African culture is by walking within the city centre.

Enjoy the festivities along the Fan Walk, which starts outside the central railway station in Adderley Street and ends at the entrance to the stadium precinct. Vehicles are not allowed along this distance of approximately 2.2km.

Walking to and from the Cape Town Stadium is strongly suggested to avoid traffic congestion.

While there will be a strong security presence along the Fan Walk, fans are advised not to walk alone after dark in unpopulated areas.

Public transport to public viewing areas (PVAs)

The PVAs are well served by regular public transport services that operate from ranks at nearby rail stations and public transport interchanges. The cost of the journey will depend on the distance travelled.

-  Bellville Velodrome is served by the Durban Road route, which links directly to Bellville Station.
-  Athlone Civic Centre is located on Klipfontein Road, and is within 300m of Athlone Station.
-  Oliver Tambo Sports Hall in Khayelitsha is located on Lansdowne Road, and is within 500m of Nonkqubela Station.
-  Swartklip Sports Hall in Mitchells Plain is located on Spine Road, and is within walking distance of Mitchells Plain Station and town centre.

Special needs

Buses on the shuttle routes from the airport and to the stadium will be wheelchair friendly, as will the main transport hub and the shuttle stations.

A special needs transport hub at the Civic Centre, between the main transport hub and Cape Town Station, will operate on all match days. This park-and-ride service to and from the stadium will be exclusively for people with disabilities, and will be free of charge.

Wheelchair users with a wheelchair match ticket, as issued through the FIFA ticketing system, and those in possession of a doctor’s certificate confirming their immobility, are requested to visit .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to book a place on this shuttle.

Some private taxi operators will also be able to transport wheelchair users to areas not covered by the shuttles.

Read more information about the special needs shuttle.

Maps

How far is your hotel from the stadium? What else can you see while in the city centre? Which beach is closest to the Grand Parade fan park?

The answers to these questions and more are available on our Cape Town 2010 Google Map.

Visit the public transport maps section to view and download the public transport access points, additional road-based public transport services for the event, match day pedestrian routes as well as maps that show which roads are closed on match and non-match days.

Let us help you plan your transport

Once you’re in the city, getting around is simple and convenient. You have a variety of options including taxi, coach, train, bus, hire car or even canal boat. In fact, once you’re in Cape Town’s central business district, the close proximity of stadiums and fan parks, as well as dedicated fan routes, makes it possible to soak up the Cape Town atmosphere by walking to your destination.

We would love to help you plan your way around our incredible city and the first African soccer World Cup!

Please contact us to help you to book a car, motorbike, camper van or any other form of transport. We are very happy to answer any of your questions about the best ways to get around.

We can also assist you to book accommodation and tours and experiences as well as provide information on top attractions, restaurants and more.