The oldest and second largest city in South Africa behind Johannesburg, Cape Town is absolutely packed with adventurous things to do for any type of traveler. For those looking to experience life-changing safaris, there are a wealth of tours just outside the city. For fans of the culinary arts, Cape Town is home to some of the finest restaurants in the world as well as a wonderful street food culture. For history buffs, the city is full of intriguing museums, historical monuments, and cultural experiences. And, if you’re looking for a bit of partying, there’s plenty of that going on in Cape Town as well.
Very little is known about the first residents of Cape Town, as the first-know description of the region was in 1488 by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias, who named the area the “Cap of Storms.” John II of Portugal later would rename the area the “Cape of Good Hope” and later the city would gain its current name of Cape Town. In 2014, both The New York Times and The Daily Telegraph called Cape Town the best place in the world to visit. And, if that’s not enough reason for you to visit, you should know that this city is located near some of the most amazing natural landforms on Earth. So, if you’re interested in exploring Cape Town and its surrounding areas, the best way to do so is by renting a motorbike and taking to the streets.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorcycle in Cape Town. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a scooter as well. This guide includes:
- The average cost of motorbike hire in Cape Town
- Whether you need an international driving permit to hire a motorcycle in South Africa
- The best places in Cape Town to find motorcycle hire
- Whether it’s safe to rent motorcycle in Cape Town
- The best things to do in Cape Town by motorcycle
How Much Does It Normally Cost to Hire a Motorcycle in Cape Town?
In general, prices for most things in South Africa (and particularly in the big cities like Cape Town or Johannesburg) are not very cheap. Motorcycle rental is no different. If you want to hire a nice motorcycle, such as a BMW R1200GS WC, you can expect to pay around €130 per day. Fortunately, there are cheaper options available. In general, renting a car or a motor scooter is usually cheaper than hiring a motorcycle.
Whatever sort of vehicle you choose to hire, you should always make sure that you have insurance coverage and that helmet rental is included in the stated price (if you’re renting a motorbike). Also, if you plan on staying in the Cape Town area for a long time, you should inquire with your rental shop about reduced rates for weekly or monthly rentals.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit to Rent a Motorbike in South Africa?
Whether or not you need an international driving permit to hire a car or motorbike in South Africa depends on the language that your driver’s license from your home country is in. If your license is written in English, then you do not need an IDP to hire a motor vehicle in South Africa. However, if your license is in any other language other than English, you are required to have an IDP to drive on the streets of South Africa.
If you want to apply for an international driving permit, you can do so online here. There is an application fee of $20 and you should send your application in at least two weeks before departing from your home country because that’s how long the permit usually takes to come in the mail. Once you receive your international driving permit, you can use it legally for up to a year.
What Are the Best Places in Cape Town to Find Motorbike Hire?
If you plan on flying into Cape Town International Airport, while there are no motorcycles for rent directly at the airport, you can find plenty of motorcycle rental services that have shuttles from the airport to their locations. You should also be able to find several motorcycle hire locations around the city by searching on the internet or asking the employees at your accommodation.
If you’re looking for a rental shop around the city, the best area to start your search is around Greenmarket Square, near the coast. You can also find quite a few rental shops around the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and in the Woodstock section of town. If you’re staying more on the outskirts of Cape Town, you can also find some rental services around the Claremont and Athlone areas of the city.
Is It Safe to Ride a Rental Motorbike Around Cape Town?
Due to the excellent road conditions, strongly enforced traffic laws, and ample signage around the city, driving in Cape Town is generally considered to be very safe. It’s also one of the most beautiful places in the world to drive, so you should definitely consider hiring a motorcycle while you’re staying in the city. Some of the roads in the city of Cape Town and the surrounding areas feature incredible scenery and wonderful driving conditions.
There have been some instances of carjacking in Cape Town, though they aren’t all that common. Anyway, you should always stay vigilant while driving at night and avoid driving through unpopulated areas at night. You should always be wary of where your keys are as well. You don’t want to get pickpocketed and owe the rental shop a new motorbike.
What Are the Best Scenic Routes in Cape Town?
One of the best things to do in Cape Town is, quite simply, to take a scenic drive. So, now that you know how to rent a motorcycle in Cape Town, here are some of the best scenic routes around the area:
Chapman’s Peak
One of the most famous natural features and best drives in Cape Town is the route to Chapman’s Peak (which the locals call “Chappies”). The total drive takes about 30 minutes and winds through mountains and cliffs on the border of the Atlantic, offering incredible ocean vies the entire way. While you can make it the entire way in only half an hour, you should budget some time to stop at one or many of the lookout points.
Before departing for Chapman’s Peak, you should be aware that you will have to pay a toll to get on this road. Also, there can be very high winds on Chapman’s Peak, so you should drive cautiously. Take your time, enjoy the views, and make a stop at Hout Bay at the end of the drive to get some amazing seafood.
Signal Hill
One of the most accessible scenic drives in Cape Town is the drive to Signal Hill (also known as Lion’s Rump, which is objectively a better name). Located right in the heart of the city, Signal Hill is one of the best places in Cape Town to get a full panoramic view of the city. It’s also probably the best place in Cape Town to have a picnic or catch a view of the sunset.
You can make the drive in around 5 to 10 minutes, so you can have some dinner at one of the amazing restaurants in the city, drive up to Lion’s Rump for the sunset, and then go back down into the city for some nightlife.
Victoria Road
The drive along Victoria Road takes about 30 minutes if you do it all in one shot; however, you should absolutely make some time to stop at one of the beautiful beaches along the way. You should also make sure to get off your motorcycle at Oudekraal, a pristine nature reserve that’s one of the best spots for spotting wildlife in all of Cape Town.
The drive also hugs the back of Table Mountain, so you might want to consider parking and hiking up the mountain for a wonderful view. You should also stop over in Camps Bay and have some food at one of the restaurants in the area.
Conquer Cape Town on a Rental Motorcycle
Cape Town offers the perfect blend of lively cosmopolitan areas in the heart of the city and stunning natural landscapes around the edges of the city. So, if you want to get the most out of your trip to Cape Town, South Africa, rent a motorbike and start riding!
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