Discover boutique hotels in Cape Town, South Africa

When to go

Cape Town is a fantastic year-round destination, but March until May is when the sun and the wind are at their most enjoyable. If you plan to travel here during the school holidays, which are in January, be sure to book your hotel well in advance.

Getting there

• Planes

  Flights take 11.5 hours from London; Virgin | BA | South African Airways fly direct. Cape Town airport is a 30-minute drive from the city centre and there is a half-hourly bus service into town: www.airports.co.za. On the way home you can use the comfortable airport lounge for R140 and enjoy one last glass of South African wine. It's also wise to have your luggage wrapped in plastic at the airport | especially if flying via Johannesburg where things notoriously go missing in transit.

• Trains

  Public transport around Cape Town isn’t fantastic. There are mini-bus taxis and slow trains from certain parts of town, but you’re better off driving; see automobiles.

• Automobiles

  Hiring a car to drive is easy and cheap (particularly if you’re British: they drive on the left side of the road) | although you need to book cars well in advance as they get booked out. It’s worth noting that it is South African law to carry your international driving license at all times. Also | some driving tips: at roundabouts there are four-way stops where whoever gets there first | leaves first. And minibus taxis have right of way – let them go ahead.

• Taxis

  For rides such as from the city centre to the Waterfront, try Rikki's Intercity (+27 (0)21 418 6713) minibuses, otherwise hail cabs in the street or ask your hotel to arrange one.