Rental Car in Cape Town

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Message Submitted by aicitn on Tue, 04/10/2012 - 13:33
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. Our CapOne visa covers collision/vehicle damage so that's not a problem. However, has anyone had recent experience with car rental in Cape Town? Any suggestions on reputable companies, besides the obvious ones like Hertz and Avis.

Reply Submitted by Stan on Wed, 04/11/2012 - 11:30

I urge you to contact your credit card company and make sure that the insurance it offers is valid for South Africa. In some countries such as Australia, some collision coverage automatically is included in the rental charge and you can't decline it. But that has the effect of nullifying your credit card coverage. It may not be a problem for you, but it can't hurt to check.

Reply Submitted by Bill Burns on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 16:55

Was there from 12/19/11 to 1/12/12 and rental cars were scarce during the Holidays. From a few days before Christmas until a few days after New Year's Hertz, Avis, et al has NO cars for rental. Make your reservations a few months in advance.

Reply Submitted by xtoothdr on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 07:23

I go every couple years and use Budget.
If you double check with your cc company you WILL find SA is EXCLUDED from their coverage.
True super collision coverage adds hugely to the cost--but, unfortunately is a MUST--unless you don't mind getting stuck with a huge repair bill including the 'cost of vehicle not being available for rental'. Relax--you will have enough things to worry about...
G