City Bowl to Camps Bay Without a Car: Buses, Minibus Taxis and Scenic Walks

You do not need a rental to reach Camps Bay from the City Bowl — here are the routes locals use, what they cost and which one I would book.

The MyCiTi Bus: The Predictable Option

The MyCiTi bus is the simplest car-free link between the City Bowl and Camps Bay. Route 108 runs from the Civic Centre station on Hertzog Boulevard along the coast to Camps Bay, with stops at Sea Point and Clifton. The journey takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. You need a myconnect card, available from station kiosks; a single trip falls in the low-cost band, and the fare is deducted on tap-in. Buses run from early morning until around 10pm, with frequencies of 15 to 30 minutes. The route is flat and reliable, and the double-benefit of a sea view makes it a sightseeing trip in itself.

If you are staying in Gardens, Tamboerskloof or the lower slopes of Table Mountain, walk down to the Civic Centre or take a short ride on a City Bowl-bound bus to reach the station. From the V&A Waterfront, it is a 15-minute walk along the foreshore. The 108 is the service I recommend for first-timers: it is predictable, has space for luggage and runs late enough for dinner in Camps Bay. Avoid it on weekend evenings in December and January, when the coastal road can clog and buses bunch together.

Minibus Taxis: Faster, Cheaper, Less Obvious

Minibus taxis are the backbone of Cape Town commuting. From the City Bowl, you can catch one from the ranks near the Grand Parade on Darling Street or from the taxi hub on Strand Street. Ask for a Camps Bay or Sea Point-bound taxi; many ply the coastal route via Green Point and Sea Point. The fare is lower than the MyCiTi, but you pay in cash and need to know the hand signals. The ride is quicker in traffic because taxis use the bus lanes where permitted. The experience is busy but safe if you keep your wits about you and avoid peak commute hours with a large backpack.

For a visitor, I would use a minibus taxi for a daytime trip if you are comfortable with informal transport, but not for a late-night return. They are frequent until early evening; after that, options thin out. You will need small notes and coins. A taxi from the City Bowl to Camps Bay typically takes 20 to 30 minutes outside rush hour. The main advantage is cost; the main disadvantage is uncertainty if you do not know the routes. If that sounds like too much, stick with the MyCiTi.

Rideshares and Scooters: When Time Matters

Rideshare apps operate throughout Cape Town, and a trip from the City Bowl to Camps Bay is one of the city's most popular short-haul routes. Expect the journey to take 15 to 25 minutes outside peak times, longer on summer weekends when the coastal road slows. Fares vary with demand; mid-week daytime is the cheapest window, while Friday and Saturday evenings carry a premium. The drop-off is usually at the Camps Bay beachfront or at the top of the Bessemer Road steps. Rideshares are handy for groups or if you are carrying beach gear. They are not the cheapest option, but they are the most direct.

Electric scooters are available in the City Bowl and Sea Point, but they are not suitable for the full run to Camps Bay: the coastal road has fast traffic, limited cycle lanes and steep sections. Use them only for short hops around the City Bowl or along the Sea Point promenade. If you want to cycle, the Sea Point promenade is flat and shared-use, but beyond Bantry Bay the road narrows. For most travellers, a rideshare or the MyCiTi bus is the sensible choice; scooters are a fair-weather extra, not a primary plan.

Walking and Where to Stay

Walking from the City Bowl to Camps Bay is possible via the Pipe Track or the Kasteelspoort trail from Theresa Avenue in Camps Bay, but it is a mountain hike of three to five hours with exposed sections. It is not a casual stroll. For a scenic coastal walk, take the bus to Sea Point and walk the promenade to Clifton, then continue to Camps Bay along the coast road. That is a two-hour walk with pavements for most of the way. Best months for walking are March to May and September to November, when temperatures are moderate and the summer crowds have thinned. Carry water and sun protection year-round.

Where you base yourself makes a difference. Hotels in the City Bowl put you near the MyCiTi hub and restaurants on Kloof Street, but you will commute to the beach. Camps Bay hotels are steps from the sand but quieter in winter and pricier in December. A compromise is Sea Point: lower rates than Camps Bay, a frequent bus corridor and a flat promenade. For a car-free trip, I would book a hotel within a five-minute walk of a MyCiTi stop in the City Bowl or Sea Point. That gives you flexibility without a car, and you can still enjoy Camps Bay sunsets.

Questions, answered

How long does the MyCiTi bus take from the City Bowl to Camps Bay?

The 108 route from Civic Centre station to Camps Bay takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes from early morning until around 10pm, and you need a myconnect card to travel.

Is a minibus taxi safe for tourists?

Minibus taxis are widely used by locals and are generally safe for daytime trips if you keep valuables close and avoid peak crowding. They are cash-only and less predictable for late-night returns, so many visitors prefer the MyCiTi or a rideshare after dark.

Can I walk from the City Bowl to Camps Bay?

There is no easy pavement route; the direct paths are mountain trails like Kasteelspoort, which take three to five hours and require hiking gear. For a coastal walk, take the bus to Sea Point and follow the promenade and coast road to Camps Bay, a two-hour walk.

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