Cape Town's public transport system is limited and not a good way to see the Cape. It operatoes in daylight hours and there can be safety concerns. Private tours provide you with a licensed vehicle and driver/guide, and this is recommended. For longer day tours such as the peninsula a guide is cheaper than a taxi.

All hotels and guest houses can book a day tour for you, and the information centres at the Waterfront and in Cape Town have numerous leaflets.

Most tour companies operate scheduled daily tours in minibuses or large coaches (check which!) and can also offer private tours at extra expense.

Roddy Bray is a freelance top-end tour guide for private tours.

Cape Town's many car rental agencies offer a wide selection of vehicles including sports and vintage cars and 4x4s. We can put you in contact with AroundAbout cars, an established local company with good rates - click here.

Most agencies require the driver to be at least 23 or 25 years old. For vintage and sports cars try Motor Classic.

Bike Hire. The Peninsula's scenic roads are ideal for motorbike enthusiasts. Whatever your style - from a breakfast run on a powerful Harley Davidson to a zippy scooter for zooming round town - you can hire it. Crash helmets are required by law, as well as an international motorbike licence.

Fuel is widely available, but must be paid for in cash as credit cards are not accepted.

One line services the southern suburbs and includes a beautiful section along the False Bay coastline from Muizenberg to Simon's Town. Please note that train services are particularly infrequent on Sundays and public holidays and do not run at night.

The main commuter bus terminal is on the Grand Parade. Buses do not run at night.

The main long-distance bus companies are Greyhound, Translux and Intercape. All are of a good standard and reasonably priced. Tickets can be booked from their offices on lower Adderley Street just in front of the train station.

Unicab Radio Taxis (021 448 1720) and Marine Taxi Hire (021 434 0434) offer a good and generally reliable service. Note that in Cape Town taxis do not 'cruise' for passengers, so phone ahead. There are ranks at the airport and V&A Waterfront. Taxi fares are generally expensive (in local terms) but compare favourably to 1st world cities.

Ensure the driver uses the meter or agree a price beforehand. Some drivers take advantage of tourists. It is worth following the route being taken on a map - it may be further or slower than necessary.

Feeling brave? - The cheapest, fastest and most frightening form of transport is the Minibus Taxi. These local minibuses run frequently along fairly fixed routes hooting loudly and screeching to a stop alongside any potential passengers. Note that local people call these 'taxis' - beware of the confusion!