Travel tips · Cape Town · South Africa
Cape Town travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Cape Town's character comes from many communities: Xhosa, Afrikaans-speaking Cape Coloured and Cape Malay, English-speaking and more recent arrivals from across Africa. The legacy of apartheid is visible in the layout of the city, and townships such as Langa and Khayelitsha sit on the Cape Flats far from the centre. Locals are friendly and informal; the pace slows at weekends, when braais and beaches take over.
Key facts
- Language
- English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa
- Currency
- ZAR
- Plugs
- Type M and N sockets, plus two-pin Type C; 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Municipal tap water in Cape Town is treated and generally safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 112 from mobiles; 10111 police; 10177 ambulance
Things to know
- Greet people before starting a conversation or a request; a simple 'Hi, how are you?' is expected even in shops.
- Car guards in high-visibility vests watch parked cars in exchange for a small tip, usually a few rand when you leave.
- Township visits should be with a local, community-run guide rather than on a bus tour that treats residents as a spectacle.
- Ask before photographing people, especially in Bo-Kaap and townships.
- 'Now now' means soon, 'just now' means some time later; 'lekker' means good or nice.
- Book Table Mountain and the Aerial Cableway ahead: Buying cableway tickets online lets you skip the ticket queue, which is long in December and January.
- Book Robben Island ahead: Tours sell out in summer and are cancelled in rough seas; book online several days ahead and keep a backup day free.
- Restaurants and wine are very good value for visitors earning in euros, pounds or dollars; a fine-dining tasting menu costs a fraction of its European equivalent.
Tipping
Tip about 10–15% in restaurants if service is not already included, and round up for ride-hail drivers. Fuel-station attendants who fill your car and clean the windscreen expect a few rand, as do car guards.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Molo | Hello (isiXhosa) |
| Enkosi | Thank you (isiXhosa) |
| Dankie | Thank you (Afrikaans) |
| Lekker | Good, nice, tasty |
| Howzit | Hi, how are you? |
| Robot | Traffic light |
What to wear
Dress is casual. Bring layers and a windproof jacket even in summer, as the southeaster wind and mountain weather change quickly; dress modestly when visiting mosques in Bo-Kaap.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type M and N sockets, plus two-pin Type C; 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Municipal tap water in Cape Town is treated and generally safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 112 from mobiles; 10111 police; 10177 ambulance
- Phone and internet
- Local SIM cards and eSIMs from Vodacom, MTN and others are sold at the airport and in malls; most cafés and hotels have Wi-Fi.
- Time zone
- Africa/Johannesburg
Opportunistic theft is the main risk for visitors: keep phones and bags out of sight, use ride-hailing after dark, and never leave valuables in parked cars. Hike in groups on well-used trails, and swim only where lifeguards or shark spotters are on duty.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check South Africa's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Cape Town?
Tip about 10–15% in restaurants if service is not already included, and round up for ride-hail drivers. Fuel-station attendants who fill your car and clean the windscreen expect a few rand, as do car guards.
+Can you drink the tap water in Cape Town?
Municipal tap water in Cape Town is treated and generally safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Cape Town?
Type M and N sockets, plus two-pin Type C; 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Cape Town?
English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.