Cape Town Car Rental

We were in South Africa in '98 for a month. While in Cape Town, we did the usual sightseeing: Cape Horn; Table Mountain, etc., etc., with Grey-line type tours plus we rented a car for 10 days and drove to Stellenbosch, up to Port Eliz thru the Klein Karoo and back along the Garden Route. Fantastic.

Now we're going back to Cape Town 4 days before our Oceania Jan. 5 cruise and are thinking about renting a car for 3 days so we can drive to some of the sites on our own as day trips, e.g., Stellenbosch again. Our hotel charges $5/day for parking.

Have started to check on line for car rentals and Euopcar looks the best but they mention super collision coverage, windshield protection. Has anyone had recent experience with car rental in Cape Town? Any suggestions as to what coverage we should take, or even suggestions on reputable companies, besides the obvious ones like Hertz and Avis.

Feel free to contact me direct: cyr13408@yahoo.com.

Turns out our CapOne Venture card (which we use when travelling overseas as there's no foreign exchange fee) covers collision and vehicle damage so we're all set!

We are heading to South Africa and will be in Cape Town May 2013, can you give me the tour company you used in Cape Town. Were you happy

with them?

Also, is the credit card Venture one or American express widely accepted in South Africa without a fee?

Thanks

We are heading to South Africa and will be in Cape Town May 2013, can you give me the tour company you used in Cape Town. Were you happy

with them?

Also, is the credit card Venture one or American express widely accepted in South Africa without a fee?

Thanks

Just saw this thread and wanted to offer some thoughts:

Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted in South Africa. American Express cards offer incur an additional fee but you could check that with the Car Hire company concerned. To be honest, I have not heard of the CapOne Venture card - so just check that this would be acceptable.

Here in South Africa the car hire companies offfer two levels of insurance: CDW and Super CDW. Super CDW means that your excess will be alot less (for example if you took CDW and had an accident, depending on the Category Car hired, you would be liable (for example) for the first $2000 of damages whereas if you took Super CDW you would only be liable (for example) for the first $750. So effectively, your excess is reduced in thecase of Super CDW but your daily hire rate is higher.

You can also choose to take out windscreen damage/tire damage etc as additional insurances.

Here are some other reputable companies:

www.tempestcarhire.co.za

www.budget.co.za

Hope this helps.

We booked the car thru Europcar.com -- just navigate thru the website. The cost for the Januaray 2-4 Kia Picanto is $67. We're picking up the car in town the day after we arrive; drop off same location -- near our hotel. Our hotel only charges $5/day for parking. This way, we can drive to Stellenbosch and other near-by sites on our own, since we spent about 15 days total (including driving from Cape Town up/back to Port Elizabeth) in '98.

As stated, because we have a Capital One visa Venture card, there are no foreign transaction fees, and we don't have to get any added on insurance.

As stated, because we have a Capital One visa Venture card, there are no foreign transaction fees, and we don't have to get any added on insurance.

Just check when you sign your car rental forms what you are covered for with regards to your insurance. There is standard insurance which comes with every rental. However, you may well find that you do need to "top up" if you want Super CDW (as explained above).

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thanks for all the info!

It's a pleasure. Happy to try to help with your questions on South Africa!