Car rental in Cape Town, South Africa

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Choose from 60 pickup spots

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There are 60 car rental providers in Cape Town. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pickup spot.

Driving in Cape Town: What to expect on the road

Documents you'll need
You'll need your driver's license, passport, and a credit card to rent a car in Cape Town.
Most visitors can use their regular driver's license. You may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if your license isn't in English. Rental companies also ask for matching ID, and some require a credit card deposit.
Navigating city driving
Roads are well signed, with clear routes to beaches and mountains.
Driving in Cape Town is straightforward, though traffic builds near the CBD and Waterfront. Navigation apps help you avoid busy highways and guide you along coastal drives and routes to viewpoints.
Tolls, emissions zones, and charges
South Africa has some toll roads, but not within central Cape Town.
Most tolls apply to long-distance highways outside the city. Cape Town has no emissions zones. Check your rental company's toll payment options if you plan to drive further along the coast.
Parking your car in Cape Town
Parking is available across the city, especially near shopping areas.
Street parking is monitored by attendants in busy zones. Multi-story parking garages are common in the CBD and Waterfront. At beaches and viewpoints, use marked bays and follow local guidance.
Finding fuel or charging points
Fuel is easy to find, and EV charging stations in Cape Town are increasing.
Gas stations are located along major roads and near malls. Charging points are expanding across the city, though some suburbs have fewer options. Apps like PlugShare show available locations.
Local driving style and tips
Drivers are steady on main routes but quicker on highways.
Traffic slows near beaches and tourist areas. Watch for minibus taxis making sudden stops, and take care at night on unlit roads. Keep a safe distance and stay alert for pedestrians.
Find Cape Town car rental deals

The most popular car rental companies in Cape Town

Choose from the best car rental companies in Cape Town

Renting a car in Cape Town: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car rental companyWoodford Car Hire
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily price32 €
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Cape Town

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car rental rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Cape Town car rental search.

Book now, cancel later

We clearly highlight car and van rental options in Cape Town that have free cancellation. So you can bag the best deal with total flexibility to change your plans if you need to.

Rent a car in Cape Town for a whole month

Want to rent a car for almost a month? Often, car rental companies in Cape Town avoid costly admin in between pickups by renting out cars for longer periods. So see whether monthly car rental is cheaper than the three weeks needed by selecting 30 days.

Compare fuel policies

To save money on filling up the tank as you take off in Cape Town, look out for deals with a "full to full" fuel policy, as opposed to a "half-full to full" one.

Skip the lines

We call out keyless pickup when you search for cars with us. No keys to pick up means no lines. Just turn up at your preferred Cape Town car rental location, hop in, and hit the road.

Frequently asked questions

On average, renting a car in Cape Town will set you back around 32 € per day or 61 € per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Cape Town is a compact SUV. The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car rental companies in Cape Town are currently Woodford Car Hire and Green Motion.
Scoring the best car rental deal depends on when you book – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. However, according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Cape Town is currently May.
On average, around 61 €. But the best price we found for a car rental for a week in Cape Town is 60 €.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to rent a car in Cape Town for a whole month is 603 €. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Cape Town, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car rental deals with a "full to full" fuel policy as opposed to a "half-full to full" one.

We also clearly highlight car and van rental options in Cape Town that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car rental companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select "Return car to a different location" when you search with us.
Public transportation can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, and for as long as you want. You'll also be able to discover more outside of Cape Town.
Most places – Cape Town included – allow people under the age of 25 to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance deductible for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is 18 € per day. The average price per day is around 32 €.
Of course. Most major car rental companies like Woodford Car Hire, Carwiz and Green Motion offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travelers rated Europcar as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van rental is available in Cape Town.