Undeniably one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa, Cape Town is visited by hundreds and thousands of travellers every year. And while many of these holidaymakers and businessmen will be exploring the city and it’s surrounds with an unlimited budget, many others will be in search of a way to enjoy the city without breaking the bank. Luckily, Cape Town’s most popular attraction, Table Mountain, is too big to put a price on, however some planning and budgeting will be required when visiting some of the city’s other celebrated features.
Sticking to a budget when visiting Cape Town is relatively easy to manage; you just need to research correctly and be aware of what you’re spending every day. There are places where you can drastically safe money though; the first one being accommodation. Rather choose a youth hostel, bed and breakfast or hotel just outside of the city centre – it’s likely that they’ll have an inexpensive room. Another easy place to capitalise on is affordable cape town airport car hire. Choose a modest car for your travelling party – you’ll be able to save money, have more control over your time and avoid the mayhem of public transport.
It’s recommended that you splash out on the extra R20 or R40 to explore a famous attraction when in Cape Town. High on the list of “must do’s” includes a trip up Table Mountain, a boat trip to Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years) and a picnic in Kirstenbosch Gardens. You might also want to consider splashing out for entry to Boulder’s Beach, cocktails on the Camp Bay sea front and the entrance fee into the Cape Point Nature reserve. Cape Town’s most famous attractions and real splendour can be found by simply being outdoors – a relatively inexpensive and mostly free experience.
However, if you need to set aside the odd extra R50 to enjoy everything that the Mother City has to offer, why not consider packing a picnic or even cooking your own meals in self-catering accommodation. If you feel like eating however, you’ll be able to find a reasonably priced meal in Long Street and at the Waterfront. Bear in mind however, that if a restaurant looks pricey it most probably is – ask the restaurant hostess if you can take a look at their menu before taking a seat. Asking the locals for recommendations is another option – they’ll most likely be able to point you in the direction of something special for an affordable price.
Many museums are free on public holidays, while others are fairly cheap to enter. If you’d prefer to be outdoors however, it’s highly recommended that you take a trip to Kalk Bay, a historical suburb overlooking False Bay and offering a fairly laid back atmosphere. If you’re feeling adventurous consider driving to Franschhoek, a small town set along the Wine Route, for free wine tasting and the purchase of reasonably priced bottle of red wine. Other options closer to the city, include a walk on the Sea Point promenade, a sunrise or sunset hike up Lion’s Head or a walk up St George’s Mall in the centre of the city.
If you have the determination and have done your research, you’ll be able to easily stick to a budget while visiting the Cape of Storms. While many experiences simply have to be splashed out on (when next will you find yourself visiting the southernmost tip of Africa?), you’ll be able to save by using Cape Town car hire – a cheap travelling option – and by booking your stay in affordable accommodation. At the end of the day you’ll be able to enjoy everything that the city has to offer without breaking the bank, and even scoring one or two local experiences that give you a deeper perspective into how the people of Cape Town really live.
Source: Car Hire Cape Town |
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