Buses, Cape Town

Finally Cape Town is starting to get a decent public transport system in operation. The MyCity service operates between Cape Town international Airport and the City Centre (Cost R50.00 per trip), City loop, and between Table View and Cape Town with feeder services at terminal points.
Hopefully the service will be expanded to other routes in the future.

Be warned that public transport in Cape Town is terrible, the cost (on some routes) has gone up 100% for the 2010 World Cup and on many routes, buses are few and far between. Do not expect the situation that exists in Europe, where there are buses or trains every few minutes. Fares change at the drivers whim and there are no schedules posted at bus stops - you have to get a printout from the information office at the terminus - which is only open during office hours - THIS IS A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY, despite anything you might have read.

Hop-on-hop-off bus in Cape Town is of immense help and a very pleasant surprise after the lack of acceptable transport for newcomers in Joburg or Pretoria. It is an efficient service encompassing all of the important parts of the city (from tourist’s prospective) at a fixed cost with different departure and arrival times throughout the day. It makes takes you to Hout Bay through the back side of the Table Mountain and then brings you back to the Waterfront following the beaches of Camps Bay and Sea Point.

Finally I did the hop on/hop off bus in Cape Town. The cost is R120 for one day or R200 for two days. We did the red route which was the CBD, Cable Car over to Campsbay. Very nice and most informative.

for getting around the country - a nationwide network..
I travelled them Jhb to Cape Town and Back >> R805 return
also Pretoria to Pietermaritzburg >>R335 return
Clean, on time and well maintained fleet of buses

Shared Taxis, a common mean of transport on the african continent, are the backbone of Cape Twon’s public transport. Compared to other african cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town’s shared taxis are relatively safe. However, it is not recommended to use the taxi outside the city center, if you are not familiar with Cape Town and if you are travelling without any local assistance. Routes to Waterfront and Sea Point can be used safely throughout the night.

The driver of the taxi shouts out the destination where he’s going to. All you have to do is to get in and take your seat. Pay the driver by giving the passenger in front of you which will reach it to the front, your change will come the same way back. Shared taxis are cheaper than buses, but run more irregulary and get easily cramped J Travelling with a shared taxi gives you a small insight into everyday life in South Africa. Get in, join the locals and perhaps you’ll get involved in a small conversation.

Golden Arrow has a good network of buses, with frequently running services all over Cape Town. The service is focused on working-class commuters and so the vehicles are unfortunately not the best. Golden Arrow buses are cheap, with fares depending on the route you are travelling. Usually, it’s around 2.00 Rand per person, add a little more for longer routes and routes frequented by tourists. Tickets are available at the driver.
If you are not familiar with Cape Town and its public transport system, do not use public transport outside of the city center. Routes to Sea Point or Waterfront are also less problematic and can be used safely until late at night.

An useful info might be that there is no service from the city center to Waterfront.

I found them to be the cheapest. Unfortunately, not easy to get when you arrive late at night. There is a airport transfer desk right in the same area as baggage claim and next to the money exchange window.