Hop On Hop Off Tours, The Perfect Way to See Cape Town
The Cape of Good Hope.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. This helps me keep the Sick Girl Travels blog running while providing you with high-quality product recommendations and great travel deals. Please see my full disclosure for further information. Thanks for your support!
Welcome to Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa is one of South Africa’s three capital cities. It serves as the seat of parliament and the legislative capital of the country. It’s also one of the 10 most beautiful cities in Africa. With sprawling beaches, stunning mountain views, and a cool city vibe, there’s tons to explore. But getting around doesn’t have to be difficult. I highly recommend taking the Hop On Hop Off bus to see everything Cape Town has to offer.
Taking a Cape Town Hop On Hop Off Bus
Navigating a city can be difficult and/or costly. Part of the reason I can afford to travel as much as I do is that I'm always looking for more cost-effective ways to get around. This includes everything from airline and hotel loyalty points, to credit cards that offer me miles, to budget-friendly transportation methods like a hop on hop off bus. If your destination is particularly spread out, like London, or doesn't offer great public transportation options, like Cape Town, you'll want to check out hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours. I know a lot of people snub their noses at sitting on a big double-decker open-top bus full of other tourists taking a city tour, but in many places, this can be a great money-saving option.
Taking cabs or using rideshare apps can easily set you back hundreds of dollars. Renting a car can set you back even more and leave you dealing with the anxiety of finding suitable parking. With a bus company like Cape Town City Sightseeing Hop on Hop Off, you can purchase a half-day, full-day, or multi-day bus pass that's sure to take you to most of the major attractions. Day ticket prices start at just $15 USD, and tickets are free for kids 5 and under. A ticket gets you a full day of unlimited hops on and off buses on any of the four routes. It also includes special offers and discounts on canal cruise and harbor cruise tickets. Busses run from 8 am to 7:30 pm April through October and til 7:50 from November to March. Busses do not run on January 2 and March 10.
Hop On Hop Off Bus Accessibility
In Cape Town, each bus on the City and Cape routes is equipped with a wheelchair access ramp, room for wheelchair seating, and an audio tour in 16 different languages. It's important to note the wine-tasting route is NOT wheelchair accessible. However, many of the vineyards and tasting rooms are accessible and offer their own tours and transportation.
Cape Town's three-hop on hop off bus routes have a combined 21 stops. Buses stop every 20 minutes and take you to over 80% of the city's attractions. It's also your best option for seeing the Cape of Good Hope. The Cape route comes with a stop in Simon's Town for some up-close penguin spotting before taking you down to the Cape of Good Hope.
The Cape of Good Hope
The most popular stop on the bus loop is The Cape of Good Hope. while most of this stop is wheelchair accessible, parts are not and will be difficult for some with mobility issues to navigate. A good alternative is this Wheelchair Accessible Private Full-Day Cape of Good Hope Tour.
If you opt to take the hop-on-hop-off bus, the bus first takes you up to the lighthouse for spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. However, to visit the lighthouse, you will need to climb stairs. There is no other point of access. If you are physically able, it’s worth making the trip. But don’t worry, even if you can’t climb the stairs there are still plenty of great viewpoints from the parking area and surrounding paths. Even without the stairs, you’ll be able to take in spectacular ocean views and spot some wild baboons and ostriches.
WARNING: DO NOT take food or bags with you. There are warnings posted everywhere and your guide will reiterate this, but I cannot stress it enough. Leave food and bags in your bus or car. The baboons can be quite aggressive and nasty. If you're carrying a purse, you're giving them something to grab onto. If you carry food, they will definitely come after you. I saw several families ignoring the signage only to be chased across the parking lot by giant, angry, baboons. So please, just leave everything on the bus. If you’re hungry or thirsty, there’s a small restaurant where you can grab pre-made sandwiches and other small bites in relative safety. But bring only your cash or credit card and leave everything else behind. If you need to bring medication, I suggest wearing something with pockets. I stuck everything I needed into the pockets of my puffer vest.
After stopping at the top of the mountain, the bus will make its way down to the Cape of Good Hope, where you can get your photo next to the famous sign by the sea. Your guide will also offer you the option of walking tours down the mountain and meet the bus at the bottom. If you're over 60, have had joint replacement surgery, chronic pain, or other health conditions, DO NOT opt for the hike. We were warned no less than ten times to stay on the bus if we didn't think we could safely make the walk down. Of course, there was one woman on my bus that ignored the warnings, decided to attempt the hike down, and later had to be rescued while we all waited for her safe return. This was no doubt terrifying for her, but also super embarrassing when she returned to a bus full of annoyed tourists who were all held up waiting for her. You'll see plenty if you remain on the bus, so safety before FOMO!
Ostriches as seen from the City Sightseeing Bus.
Table Mountain
Another popular stop on the bus tour route is Table Mountain, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Table Mountain forms the level plateau mountain backdrop to the city of Cape Town. It’s flanked by Devil’s Peak to the east and Lion’s Head to the west. The Atlantic side of the backside of the table is known as the Twelve Apostles. The Mountain is 3,558 feet tall and offers visitors an amazing view of the entire city of Cape Town.
If you opt to visit Table Mountain via Hop On Hop Off bus, you can skip the cableway ticket office queue by purchasing your ticket from the City Sightseeing Tour Office or from your bus driver. Wheelchair access is possible via the Aerial Cableway which will take you all the way to the top of the mountain. Wheelchair users have expedited access to the cable car and are not required to wait in line. An elevator is available to access the boarding platform at the lower cableway station.
There’s a small cafe at the top of the mountain and several spots to rest and take in the views.
V & A Waterfront
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is another great stop on the bus tour route. Here visitors can grab a ferry to Robben Island (tickets must be purchased ahead of time and do sell out quickly), enjoy 2 Oceans Aquarium, grab lunch or dinner at one of the area’s many restaurants, ride the Ferris wheel, or do some shopping.
V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
Company’s Gardens and Cape Town Museums
The oldest garden in South Africa, The Company’s Gardens and Park features the oldest cultivated pear tree (planted circa 1652), a fish pond, a rose garden, The Delville Wood Memorial Garden, The Company’s Garden Restaurant, an aviary, vendors selling local arts and crafts, an herb & succulent garden, historic statues, a huge assortment of wild birds, sprawling lawns and ample benches, as well as the Iziko South African Museum and the Iziko National Gallery. This stop is a great combo of art and nature.
Hop On Hop Off Routes In Cape Town & Where They Go
There are 4 bus routes to help you discover Cape Town. From Imizamo Yethu Township to The Cape of Good Hope, city sightseeing South Africa has never been easier.
I know a lot of travelers enjoy striking out on their own, and experiencing a city as a local would. And I definitely recommend being brave and visiting places off the beaten path. But I also recommend setting aside time to see the iconic sites. They're iconic for a reason. If a city offers a hop on hop off bus, why not take advantage of it and hit up the major sites that intrigue you the most? A Cape Town bus tour is a very cost-effective and safe way to get around while enjoying your city sightseeing.
