How to Get Around Western Cape

Getting in: Cape Town International has intercontinental and domestic flights; George airport serves the Garden Route.

A hire car is the practical answer for anything outside central Cape Town. Driving is on the left, roads are good, and distances are larger than they look on a map.

In Cape Town: the MyCiTi bus network covers the city bowl, the Atlantic seaboard and the airport and is safe and cheap. Metered taxis and ride-hailing apps work well. Minibus taxis are cheap, used by most of the city, and require local knowledge.

Trains: the Metrorail suburban service has had serious reliability and safety problems; the southern line to Simon’s Town is scenic when running.

Winelands: a driver or the wine tram, given tasting and driving limits.

The Garden Route is a four-hour drive to Knysna and is best done over several days.