TRAVEL TIPS

AIRPORT

The Cape Town International Airport serves the city and handles most international flights. It is located at 14 miles (21Km) northwest of downtown. In normal traffic conditions, it will take you approximately 20 min. to reach the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) by taxi.

BUSINESS HOURS

  • Bank Hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 am - 3:30 pm / Saturdays 9 am - 12 pm
  • Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm
  • Shopping Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 am - 5 pm, except V&A Waterfront and Canal Walk / Century City operating from 9 am - 9 pm

CONVERSIONS

The metric system is used in South Africa

  • 1 meter = 3,28 feet
  • 1 kilometer = 0,62 miles
  • 1 kilogramme = 2.20 pounds
  • 1 liter = 0.264 gallons
  • 0 (°C) Celsius = 32° Fahrenheit (°F)

CURRENCY

The South African currency is RAND (ZAR) and is divided in 100 cents.

At date of publishing:

  • 1 € = 9,75 ZAR
  • 1 USD = 6,90 ZAR

ELECTRICITY

Electricity is 220/230 V, its frequency is 50Hz. If required, visitors are advised to bring a plug adaptor kit, although most hotels may provide them. Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances.

EATING OUT

Thanks to its myriad influences history and diverse cultures, the South African cuisine is a fantastic and surprising merge of culinary arts from Europe, Asia, Africa and Arab States.

Cape Town restaurants can satisfy all tastes and budgets, no matter what your palate desire inclines to: you can enjoy succulent sea food on the water’s edge or experience country cooking on a wine estate; why not try also some spicy blend from Cape Malay… but if you are feeling more like a mouthwatering steak, a grill house will be just round the corner. No visit to Cape Town will be completed without tasting some sublime wine selection produced in the surrounding vast and verdant winelands.

SAFETY

Your enjoyment and wellbeing during your stay in Cape Town are of the utmost importance.

The Tourism and Safety authorities strive to make your visit special, so you leave with great memories and can have the chance to come back in the future. Most parts of the country and city can be safely visited by tourists provided they take basic common-sense precautions to ensure their stay is as pleasant and safe as possible. Basic safety tip guidelines will be available at hotels, tourism information offices and at the Forum Welcome Desk.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Meter taxis are still the best way to travel through the city. Meter taxis are either hired at taxi-ranks or summoned by telephone. Meter taxi rates are approximately ZAR 8–10 per kilometre traveled, with a ZAR 50-60 per hour waiting fee.

TAXES

Value Added Tax (VAT) of 14% is levied on nearly all goods and services.

TELEPHONE

For international calls to:

  • Dial the international code (00), followed by your country code, then dial the area code and finally your correspondent’s number.

For international calls to South Africa:

  • Dial the international code from your country, followed by 27, then dial the area code (without the 0) and finally your correspondent’s number.

TIPPING

It is expected in South Africa. A guideline for visitors is the following: Porters ZAR 2 per item, taxis 10%, waiters & waitresses in restaurants 10%.

TIME

Time in Cape Town is GMT+2.

If it is 2:00 pm in Cape Town (based on Daylight Saving time), it will be:

  • London : 1.00 pm
  • New York : 8.00 am
  • Paris : 2.00 pm
  • Rio de Janeiro : 8.00 am
  • Seoul : 9.00 pm
  • Sydney :10.00 pm

WEATHER

Spring (September and October) and autumn (April and May) are the best time to visit Cape Town.

They are usually balmy in-between seasons, with refreshing sea breezes, when nature is at its showiest.

Rainfall is moderate throughout the year. Average day temperature in October: 21 °C / 70 °F.