Coal From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 1625 posts, RR: 6 Posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 1464 times:
Hi
I will be spending a weekend in Cape Town in mid-January, and some of my South African colleagues suggested I rent a car to get around.
Now, every time I am in Jo'burg for work, I usually get the company to get me a driver to take me around, but I won't have this luxury in CPT since it's a leisure trip.
Will it be safe to rent a car by myself? How hard will it be to drive on the wrong (err... left ) side of the road and drive a manual shift at the same time? I'm thinking of getting one of those vintage-looking rabbits/golfs. Is there an age limit? I'm 23yo.
Thanks!
Cheers Coal
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Andz From South Africa, joined Feb 2004, 8298 posts, RR: 11 Reply 1, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 1455 times:
Quoting Coal (Thread starter): I will be spending a weekend in Cape Town in mid-January, and some of my South African colleagues suggested I rent a car to get around.
Good luck finding one. That is still HIGH tourist season and Cape Town is the premier destination. Your age might count against you too. Cape Town drivers are also not the best, you will need your wits about you. I just spent ten days there with my motorcycle and had several close shaves a day.
There is a place in Cape Town that rents out older cars for less, but I can't think of the name right now. Google Cape Town Car Hire. All the internationals are represented at CPT.
After Monday and Tuesday even the calendar says WTF...
SA7700 From South Africa, joined Dec 2003, 2916 posts, RR: 20 Reply 2, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 1445 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD MODERATOR
Quoting Coal (Thread starter): Will it be safe to rent a car by myself? How hard will it be to drive on the wrong (err... left ) side of the road and drive a manual shift at the same time? I'm thinking of getting one of those vintage-looking rabbits/golfs. Is there an age limit? I'm 23yo.
Hi Coal
Check out the South African Avis website (avis.co.za). They currently have an international visitor special on offer which, beside the rental, includes unlimited mileage, insurance, surcharges, levies,contract fees and FF mileage.
The age limits for renting from Avis is 21 years. If you are weary of getting lost, Avis also rent out GPS units. You will get used to driving on the correct side of the road quite quickly.
Rgds
SA7700
When you are doing stuff that nobody has done before, there is no manual – Kevin McCloud
Coal From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 1625 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 1429 times:
Thanks for the info! So apart from the tourist traps (Table Mountain, the Waterfront), what else should I do?
Oh, and I've driven in Colombia and Miami, so defensive driver are my two middle names
Cheers Coal
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SA7700 From South Africa, joined Dec 2003, 2916 posts, RR: 20 Reply 4, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 1414 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD MODERATOR
Quoting Coal (Reply 3): Thanks for the info! So apart from the tourist traps (Table Mountain, the Waterfront), what else should I do?
What are you interested in? Then spend some time at www.tripadvisor.com and read what regular tourists have to say about the region, places to see and things to do. If necessary IM me and I will try my utmost best to be of further assistance.
Keep well
When you are doing stuff that nobody has done before, there is no manual – Kevin McCloud
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 5, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1372 times:
Quoting Coal (Thread starter): How hard will it be to drive on the wrong (err... left tongue ) side of the road and drive a manual shift at the same time?
Driving on the wrong side of the road isn't particularly hard. You just need to sit in the car and acclimate yourself to the left side. The pedals are the same, as is the gear pattern. When I drove in the UK, it helped that I am left handed, but you still shouldn't have a big problem.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
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From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 1625 posts, 
) side of the road and drive a manual shift at the same time? I'm thinking of getting one of those vintage-looking rabbits/golfs. Is there an age limit? I'm 23yo.
From South Africa, joined Feb 2004, 8298 posts, 
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