04 June 2018 | Carla de Klerk
Did you know that a cold, rainy Cape Town winter’s day is the perfect time to hop on the red bus? Not only are the top sections of our double-decker buses partly covered, but there is a whole bottom section that is fully covered AND heated!
Don’t let a little drizzle stop you having a fun day out – with the red bus you can still enjoy the best the Mother City has to offer. Here’s our guide to enjoying a rainy day in Cape Town:
When you look good, you feel good. Hop off at stop 5 on Long Street to visit the Travel Depot and shop for a few rainy-day essentials then you are ready for a bit of sightseeing!
Afterwards, grab some coffee and a snack from Kamili coffee shop next door before hopping on the bus.
stop 5 is also home to one of City Sightseeing’s ticket offices, and all buses on all routes stop here. You won’t even get wet as there is an overhead cover where you wait to hop on the bus.
Although we at the red bus love rainy days, we’re aware that not all attractions are equally enjoyable for all our guests amid a downpour. The best way to make sure you don’t end up on a soggy beach (unless that’s what you intended) is to plan your trip accordingly.
Free route brochures that detail tour schedules, routes and stops are available at all our ticket offices, as well as on board the buses. Should you have missed these, simply have a look at the digital timetable!
Planning your trip will also allow you to check en route if certain outdoor attractions are open. Table Mountain Aerial Cableway’s operations, for example, are weather-dependent. Check the Cableway’s status either on the big screen at stop 5, or on its website.
By using the timetable, you’ll make sure that you visit all your preferred attractions, and also know what time to be back at the stop to hop back on the bus.
If you’d ideally prefer a day out where all you need to do is to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery, our live-guided day-tour packages are made for you!
What makes these tours different is that they are not hop-on, hop-off tours like our regular open-top red bus tours. Instead, you’ll be travelling in a luxury air-conditioned coach with a set itinerary, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide.
On the live-guided tour to Cape Point and Boulders Beach you’ll enjoy spectacular scenery, but be aware that you’ll need to brave the elements to make the most of the trip. Dress warmly and bring a raincoat.
On the other hand, the rain won’t affect any part of your experience on our live-guided tour to the Cape Winelands. You’ll be stopping off at two wine farms near the picturesque towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, where you’ll be treated to two wine tastings and a cheese pairing. Over lunch, you’ll have two hours to explore Franschhoek – your chance to find a cosy bistro with a roaring fire.
It’s crucial to book the day tours in advance as seats are reserved.
Make the most of family time with the kids regardless of the weather. With our 3-for-1 Kids’ Special, two kids under 18 ride the open-top red bus (with its fully covered lower level) for FREE every weekend, school holiday and public holiday until 2 October 2019. With savings like these, it’s impossible not to have fun, even in the rain!
Book your 3-for-1 Kids’ Special tickets here.
Hop on the open top red bus and enjoy the sights of Cape Town – from Table Mountain to the V&A Waterfront, from Camps Bay to Kirstenbosch. The Classic package gives you one full day on the bus covering all hop-on, hop-off tours.
