About Cape Town & South Africa

Most visitors from the UK, USA, EU, Australia, and many African nations are visa-exempt for stays up to 90 days. However, requirements vary by nationality.

• Please check your specific visa status via the South African Department of Home Affairs.
• e-Visa: If you require a visa, you may be eligible for the South African e-Visa or the new ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) system, which can be applied for online.
• Invitation Letters: If you require a formal Letter of Invitation for your visa application, please tick the box in the Personal Information section of this form.

Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days after your intended date of departure from South Africa and must contain at least two consecutive blank pages for entry/exit stamps.

Yellow Fever: A certificate is required only if you are traveling from or through a yellow fever risk zone.

VAT Refund: International visitors can claim back 15% VAT on goods purchased in South Africa exceeding R250 at the airport upon departure.

Weather: Cape Town enjoys a spectacular Mediterranean climate and October is widely considered one of the best months of the year to visit Cape Town. It marks the official arrival of spring, offering beautiful, crisp days as the city transitions out of its chilly winter and moves toward hot summer. The weather during this time is predominantly mild, temperate, and comfortable—making it absolutely perfect for outdoor excursions, wine tasting, and sightseeing without the intense heat of mid-summer. Average day temperature: 21°C to 23°C or 70°F to 73°F.

Currency: The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). Visa and Mastercard are accepted virtually everywhere, you will only need a small amount of cash for minor incidentals.

Tipping Culture: Tipping is standard practice in South Africa. In restaurants, a 10% to 15% tip is customary for good service.

Car Guards: When parking in public street bays, you will often meet a “car guard” (often wearing a high-visibility vest). They will keep an eye on your vehicle while you are away; it is customary to tip them R5 to R20 when you return to your car.

E-Hailing: For general travel around the city, Uber and Bolt are widely available, safe, efficient, and highly affordable for international travelers. Avoid taking unbranded street taxis.

Walking After Dark: While walking through major hubs like the V&A Waterfront or busy restaurant strips during the day is perfectly fine, it is strongly advised not to walk alone at night in the City Bowl, CBD, or quieter suburban streets. Rather use an Uber to travel door-to-door after dark.

Driving & Navigation: If you choose to rent a car, remember that South Africans drive on the left side of the road. Keep your doors locked and windows up at major city intersections, and keep any bags or valuables entirely out of sight in the trunk (boot). If using a GPS, stick to major highways and main routes.

Plug Type: South Africa primarily uses the Type M plug (three large round pins) and increasingly the Type N or Type C (two smaller round pins). Standard international multi-adapters often do not include the large Type M pin configuration. We recommend purchasing a local South African adapter at the airport upon arrival or checking if your hotel provides them.