Cape Town City Pass Review: Is the Pass Worth It for Cape Town?

Save on Sightseeing with the Cape Town City Pass? My Experiences on Whether the Sightseeing Pass is Worth It

The Cape Town City Pass is the official sightseeing pass in Cape Town, allowing tourists to visit over 80 attractions in Cape Town and its surroundings for free or at a discounted rate.

It is very popular among tourists. But is it really worth the money? In this blog post, I will take a closer look at the Cape Town Pass and find out if the investment is worth it. My experiences with the Cape Town City Pass test.

My Recommendation for Cape Town: Get the Cape Town City Pass

For me, the pass issued by Cape Town Tourism for Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula is ideal, as all attractions are included and you can see a lot in Cape Town. I purchased the Cape Town Pass during two of my many visits to the Mother City.

You can buy the Cape Town City Pass here

Which Attractions are Included in the Cape Town City Pass?

In my opinion, the most important attractions included in the Cape Town Pass are:

Only two of the most important attractions in Cape Town are not included in the pass:

There are really so many cool things to experience in Cape Town that one visit is not enough.

Hop-on/Hop-off bus (up to 5 days, depending on which pass you choose) - Only the Sunset Tour can be used once
Waterfront Sunset Cruise
Groot Constantia Wine Tasting & Tour
Cableway at Table Mountain
District Six Museum
City Sightseeing Waterfront Canal Cruise
City Sightseeing Waterfront Harbour Cruise
Two Oceans Aquarium
Zeitz MOCAA Museum
Township Tour LaGuGu Guided Township Tour
Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular (train at Cape Point)
Seal Colony Cruise in Hout Bay (Duiker Island)
Voucher for the Mojo Market
Gin Tasting at the Woodstock Gin Company
Wine Tasting at the Tokara Wine and Olive Farm
Dyer Island Cruises Whale Watching
Visit to Robben Island: These tours are booked several weeks in advance, so the availability in the pass is not included.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden: The garden is part of the National Parks in South Africa (SAN Parks), and since this is a state organization, this entry is not included.

Advantages of the Cape Town City Pass

A ticket for all attractions. You know what budget you need and have certainty in your spending planning.
Really includes all things that I would recommend (except Robben Island and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, which many first-time visitors skip anyway). Not a big deal.
No stress of always having to stand in line for tickets. Show the code on your phone and walk in.
Depending on the duration of your chosen City Pass, you can continuously use the hop-on hop-off bus. That's unique!
The wine tastings at the wineries in the Winelands are top-notch. I would recommend these wineries for tastings even without the pass.

Disadvantages of the Cape Town Pass

Alternatively, you can purchase tickets for top attractions in Cape Town individually. Then you will spend more in total. If you want to visit only a certain number of attractions, individual tickets are a good alternative (but they mean more stress, as you have to buy many tickets in advance).

My recommendation: Buy the Cape Town City Pass online before your trip and save it on your smartphone. Then the pass is ready for immediate use. Show the pass at the participating attractions, the barcode will be scanned, and you're in.

The best part is (I think) that the Cape Town Pass includes free entry to all kinds of attractions throughout the city, so you can see as much as possible without spending a fortune. Whether you're spending just one day or a whole week in Cape Town, the Cape Town City Pass is the perfect way to experience everything this amazing city has to offer.

Firstly, the Cape Town Pass is valid only for a specific number of days, so it's important to plan your visits accordingly. Some attractions and tours require a reservation.
Secondly, the Cape Town Pass can only be purchased online (which I don't see as a disadvantage).
Thirdly, it's worth noting that during peak travel times around Christmas and New Year, it gets very crowded in the city.
And finally, the pass does not cover all attractions in Cape Town, only those that participate in the Cape Town City Pass program. Robben Island and the botanical garden, for example, are not included.

There are 2 options for the pass: Unlimited Pass and Premium Pass

1. Cape Town City Unlimited Pass (Bestseller)

Includes a free hop-on/hop-off bus ticket
Access to over 80 attractions that you must see in Cape Town
Available for 1, 2, 3, and 5 days
The more attractions you visit, the more money you save
Additional benefits in the form of discounts and exclusive offers at various attractions

2. Cape Town City Premium Pass (My Recommendation)

Only worth it if you plan to take a helicopter flight over Cape Town or tandem paragliding. The whale watching tour included is, in my opinion, only worth it during whale season (October and November). There are whales you can find here all year round, but the tour is too expensive, and the chances are lower.

Things I 100% advise against that are also selectable in the premium package:

Includes a free hop-on/hop-off bus ticket
Access to over 80 attractions that you must see in Cape Town PLUS one premium activity
Available for 3 and 5 days
The more attractions you visit, the more money you save
Additional benefits in the form of discounts and exclusive offers at various attractions
Visit to the Aquila Game Reserve (mass over class, visit the Gondwana Game Reserve on the Garden Route for a more authentic experience)
Shark cage diving in Gansbaai (the sharks are unnaturally attracted, animal rights are ignored)

How Much Does the Cape Town Pass Cost?

The Cape Town Pass unlimited costs starting at 1395 ZAR per adult and 945 ZAR per child (4-17 years). This gives you access to over 80 of the top attractions in Cape Town as well as the hop-on hop-off bus tour. With the Cape Town City Pass, you save time and money while enjoying all the sights and attractions that the city has to offer. And if you buy the pass online, you save even more money. It's more expensive on-site.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your Cape Town City Pass today!

Note: This article is regularly updated. As prices and opening hours often change, you should check the websites I linked for current information. I appreciate a message if something changes so that I can update this post.

Buying On-Site or Online?

I recommend purchasing the City Pass on the official website before your trip. After the purchase, the pass will be sent to you via email. The pass contains the barcode required for showing and scanning at the attractions you wish to visit.

Note: The Cape Town City Pass is valid for 24 months from the purchase date. Once you use the pass for the first time and the barcode is scanned, the usage begins.

How Many Days Should You Buy a Cape Town City Pass For?

The number of days you should purchase a Cape Town Pass for depends on how long you stay in Cape Town and the Winelands and how many attractions you wish to visit.

If you are only in Cape Town and the surrounding area for a few days, purchasing a 1- or 2-day pass may be the best option for you.

However, if you are staying for a week or longer in Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula, and the Winelands, buying a 5-day pass may be the better choice. Ultimately, it is up to you how many days you need to make the most of your Cape Town Pass.

I would recommend the Cape Town City Premium Pass to my friends for our next trip. Since I want to do a paragliding flight from Signal Hill, I will also purchase this pass as a "tour guide."

Pre-Booking Attractions Sometimes Required

Most attractions in Cape Town do not require advance booking. For some, I recommend making a reservation, especially in high season. Most premium attractions and others like helicopter flights, wine tastings, whale watching, or other boat tours need to be booked in advance. You will find this information in the booklet you receive at the time of booking (as a downloadable PDF).

Example with 3-Day Unlimited City Pass Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

My Final Opinion and Personal Experience on Whether the Cape Town Pass is Worth It or Not

Conclusion: The longer the Cape Town City Pass is valid, the more you save!

After trying the Cape Town Pass multiple times, I can say that it is worthwhile if you plan to visit many attractions. It is particularly worthwhile if you plan to visit popular destinations like Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Point, Zeitz MOCAA Museum, District Six Museum, and do wine tastings (recommendation) in Groot Constantia, Tokara, and at Spier.

It is also worthwhile if you intend to use the hop-on hop-off bus for a day and participate in additional themed city tours (Township Tour, Duiker Island Boat Tour, Sunset Cruise).

The offerings are so vast that it is hardly possible to use them all on a single visit.

Make sure to read my other detailed travel reports on Cape Town (I know it's a lot, but I've been here so often and I really love Cape Town).

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Cape Town City Pass Test: Is the Pass Worth It for Cape Town?