Cape Town International Airport car hire, tailor-made for you
We make car rental easy, because we know you can’t wait to feel the freedom of the road and get the very most out of your stay. Wherever your travels take you, the keys are waiting for you to unlock the world.Framed by the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain, Cape Town makes for a picturesque starting point to exploring South Africa. Pick up your Avis car rental and venture out into this beautiful country.
Popular car hire locations in Cape Town
Plan your trip from Cape Town Airport
Take the N2 from Cape Town International Airport and 20 minutes later you’ll arrive in central Cape Town.The second most populated city in South Africa, Cape Town is one of the world’s most multicultural destinations thanks to its Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and African influences. Diversity can be found all over the city, from the cuisine to the architecture.
As befits the ‘Rainbow Nation’, the city is awash with colour: from the day-glo facades of the Bo-Kaap (Malay Quarter) to the upmarket stores, the road-side stalls, the vibrant art scene and the broad ethnic mix of the people themselves.
The colourful building exteriors of the Bo-Kaap area are a striking contrast to the modern skyscrapers found in the east of the city and the European-style architecture such as the Italian Renaissance-themed City Hall.
Nature’s own colours are on vivid display at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s great botanic gardens, it’s home to more than 7,000 species as well as many types of animals and birds.
The city's nightlife offers a wide range of local and international cuisine, theatres, cinemas, cafes, clubs and bars.
Road trips from Cape Town
Some of South Africa’s best attractions are found just beyond Cape Town. This part of the country is renowned for its scenery, making it ideal for road trips.Cape Town beaches
Around Cape Town, you’ll find fabulous beaches on both the Atlantic seaboard and the warmer False Bay to the south of the city. As well as swimming, surfing, sailing and other sports, you can take a closer look at some magnificent examples of marine life.
Hermanus
The nearby town of Hermanus is famous for its sightings of several species of whale, including Humpback and Southern Right. The Cape Peninsula itself, to the south of the city, is home to the African Penguin.
Cape Peninsula
The journey to Cape Peninsula, via route M3, is a must-drive experience when visiting South Africa. The drive to the Cape of Good Hope takes about 90 minutes, and there’s plenty to see along the way. Stop at Boulders Beach, where you’ll find a colony of sunbathing penguins, and take the funicular up to the historic lighthouse in Cape Point.
Muizenberg
Muizenberg is a tiny surf town located just 30 minutes from Cape Town on the M5, and offers a much slower pace of life. Muizenberg Beach is ideal for swimming, and its bright-coloured Victorian beach houses make for some perfect photo opportunities.
Garden Route
Along the southern coast of Western Cape is another memorable blend of natural drama and driving pleasure: the legendary Garden Route. Starting in Mossel Bay, it stretches 125 miles/ 201 km along the southern coast of Africa to the border of Eastern Cape.
Driving rules in South Africa
Which side of the road?In South Africa, please drive on the left side of the road.
Country driving laws
- Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
- It is compulsory to carry your driving license with you at all times
- Many of the national roads between the major centres are toll roads. Booths usually accept credit cards and cash
- It's a good idea to keep your doors locked and the windows up, especially in cities and at traffic lights
- In rural areas, you are likely to encounter animals on the road. Please drive slowly and carefully, especially at night
Speed limits
All speed signs will be in km/h.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
- Urban areas: 60 km/h (35 mph)
- Rural areas: 100 km/h (60 mph)
- Motorways: 120km/h (75mph)
Unless indicated by road signs.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children under 7 must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size and must not travel in the front seat of a vehicle that has two or more rows of seats.
- Children aged between 7 and 16 must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size, or use a seatbelt that is properly adjusted to fit them and fastened securely
Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.